Chancellor's Corner
Messages from the Chancellor
Remarkable things are happening at TCC.
My messages in the Chancellor's Corner are a chance for me to talk to you about news and events in our District and community.
Recent messages:
Thanksgiving Message from Chancellor Elva LeBlanc
Dear TCC Family and Friends,
As the holidays approach, my heart fills with gratitude for who we are, what we are achieving and the remarkable community that continues to shape the Tarrant County College story.
When our founders dared imagine a community college built on academic excellence, access and opportunity, surely they envisioned a catalyst for change. A launch pad for lives waiting to be transformed. And we delivered.
- This fall — our 60th — we celebrated our largest post-pandemic enrollment — almost 50,000 students who trust us with their future.
- Our tax rate remains one of the lowest in the county — 56th of the 58 major public taxing entities — yet our economic contribution is huge — $2.3 billion annually. That’s $1.30 in taxpayer value for every dollar invested.
- K-12 independent school districts countywide vigorously support our Early College High School, Pathways in Technology and dual credit opportunities, and our first adult high school partnership is growing. Some 70 university partners ensure our graduates the chance to earn bachelor’s, master’s and even doctoral degrees.
- Robust industry collaborations make involvement in the auto industry possible with Autobahn and Toyota; in aviation with Embraer, GE Aerospace, Bell, Bombardier and Gulfstream; in EMS continuing education training on the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base; in law enforcement and fire rescue training for municipalities; and in healthcare by crafting in-demand programs for North Texas hospitals.
- We continue to fast track our film industry certifications as the state invests $1.5 billion over the next decade to boost the Texas film industry.
Together we are a powerhouse of learning and possibility, a place where education opens doors and clear vision uplifts all. This is your win, TCC Trailblazers. This is your triumph, TCC Board of Trustees. Your victory, TCC Foundation. Your accomplishment, faculty and staff. Your impact, business and education partners, elected leaders and community champions.
You did this, and I am profoundly thankful. You are the people who inspire us — each of you — living the shared purpose that unites us. I hope you feel, as I do, an overwhelming sense of pride in the difference we’re making.
Take a breather. You’ve earned it. Happy Thanksgiving!
Elva LeBlanc, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Veterans Day 2025: Honoring Those Who Serve
Service to others defines the best of who we are. On this Veterans Day, Tarrant County College proudly honors the brave men and women in the uniform of our armed forces. We praise them for their courage and commitment to protect the freedoms we hold dear.
Many have experienced long separations from loved ones, missed milestones with children, faced harsh conditions in distant lands, and borne the physical and emotional scars of combat. Their families sacrifice, too, holding down careers, managing homes and living with the uncertainty of every deployment. To these families: Your resilience inspires. Daily you remind us that freedom only endures because of those who stand for it. We thank you deeply.
This is service at its highest mark, loyalty that defines character, patriotism to swell the heart. How fortunate for our nation — other nations — that these brave men and women answered the call. Their love of country lines the very fabric of our flag, each star a beacon of hope, each stripe a narrative of valor.
Almost 4,000 veterans and military-connected students are enrolled at TCC this fall, and another 130 teach or are on staff. Thousands of alumni have served their country and continue to strengthen our communities as first responders, educators, healthcare professionals, civic leaders, entrepreneurs and hometown volunteers. They embody what it means to be an American.
At Tarrant County College, supporting veterans and military-connected students isn’t a once-a-year gesture. It’s a daily commitment. Veterans Resource Centers at all six TCC campuses stand ready to help with everything from VA educational benefits to degree planning to counseling.
As TCC celebrates six decades of excellence and impact, we reaffirm our promise to educate and empower all who seek a better future. Veterans and military-connected students, know that you have a permanent place in that mission.
With profound respect and gratitude,
Elva LeBlanc, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Fall 2025: Remarkable Things are Happening at TCC
Welcome to the first issue of The Chancellor’s Update: Bold Together, a quarterly celebration of powerful strides and transformed lives.
For 60 years, Tarrant County College has meant opportunity and progress for all. Together with our business, education and community partners, we’ve taken dynamic steps to build something remarkable — a college that now serves nearly 100,000 students a year and generates $2.3 billion in added income annually for our county.
From innovative programs to workforce development to community engagement, we want to keep you informed. Our vision to be the leader in academic excellence, student achievement and regional prosperity arises from our long-standing commitment to provide an exceptional education to anyone willing to pursue it.
Our success is your success.
We often say that Tarrant County College changes lives. Truth is, you change lives — through your partnership, your advocacy and your investment. The headlines below are proof.
We stand on the cusp of the next era with the same courage that lit our path in 1965. Trailblazing together will never stop.
Read more on Fall 2025 Chancellor's Update.
Tarrant County College: An Investment for Better Futures
A Community Letter from Chancellor Elva LeBlanc, Ph.D.
Why TCC matters to Tarrant County
More than an educational institution, Tarrant County College is an investment. A strategic investment in the future of North Texas. As stewards of the public trust and taxpayer dollars, we are committed to delivering measurable impact in agreement with business and industry and our K-12 and university partners.
This past year, TCC sustained momentum, tackled new challenges and made significant progress—all to educate individuals and strengthen the regional economy.
TCC’s tax rate is one of the lowest in the county—56th of the 58 major public taxing entities—yet our economic punch through education, workforce development and community service is huge—$2.3 billion annually. That’s $1.30 in taxpayer value for every dollar invested.
In 2023, the College approved a $5,000 (or 1% of value) homestead exemption, lowering the average property tax bill and returning an additional $10 million in tax revenue. TCC has provided $65 billion in tax exemptions total, which equates to $74 million in forgone tax revenue returned to taxpayers. In addition, the College has supported economic growth and community development through tax increment funds (TIFs) on more than $8 billion in evaluated property.
All these positives are crucial to note as the College positions for state-mandated tuition freezes, adjustments in state performance funding equations, and increased business personal property exemptions. Our Board of Trustees has taken steps—waiving dual credit tuition and earning $30 million this year in state, federal and private funding—to provide a top-notch higher education experience for generations to come. Vigorously pursuing such opportunities plus expanding our community collaborations will strengthen anyone’s investment in TCC.
The returns will change so many lives—for the better, and forever.
Strategic vision and community investment
Results like these come from effective leadership built on collaboration, communication and courage.
Make no mistake, resource oversight is a top priority, and we hold ourselves accountable.
Our new multiyear strategic plan, Trailblazing Together: 2030, makes certain that our efforts reflect the needs of this great place we all call home. It ensures that every dollar invested in TCC translates into better student outcomes, stronger workforce pipelines and enhanced community engagement.
Campus redevelopment and infrastructure
Despite a challenging timeline, TCC Southeast and Northwest are almost fully redeveloped, thanks to strong leadership and adaptable faculty, staff and students. Other campuses will begin their physical improvements soon. The childcare centers at South and Northwest should be finished by December, and classroom technology upgrades across all locations are ongoing.
Student success and workforce impact
House Bill 8 continues to shape curriculum and programming, and we are prepared, being a proven leader in career and technical education, seamless university transfer opportunities, and dual credit offerings. This year we increased the number of dual credit students completing 15 hours and the number of students who earned certificates or associate degrees in high-demand fields. Already this fall, we have enrolled 47,069 students—fewer than 3,000 short of our goal.
TCC works with K-12 independent school districts countywide to create higher education pathways, including 100 dual credit campuses, 14 Early College High Schools and 17 Pathways in Technology campuses. We continue to be the catalyst for the work of Tarrant To & Through.
We’re adding more Early College High School opportunities—with Birdville and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISDs at Northeast and ResponsiveEd Texas at Trinity River—and growing our first adult high school partnership at the TCC Opportunity Center.
TCC, Tarrant County Workforce Solutions, the Small Business Development Center and hundreds of industry partners are involved in the auto industry with Autobahn and Toyota; in aviation with Embraer, Bell, Bombardier and Gulfstream; in EMS continuing education training on the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base; in law enforcement and fire rescue training for municipalities; and in healthcare by crafting in-demand programs for local hospitals. And we continue to fast track our film industry certifications as the state invests $1.5 billion over the next decade to boost the Texas film industry.
Performing operations with effectiveness and responsibility
We took a daring step this year with zero-based budgeting to transform the College’s budget development process. Zero-based budgeting centers stakeholder needs, economic trends and legislation at the core of resource prioritization and allocation.
Increased enrollments and their related favorable outcomes derive from faculty and staff working in concert and delivering what we promise to the community.
Thank you
For 60 years, when we lift each other, our entire community soars. One student, one class, one life-changing connection at a time. This work is not possible without the trusteeship of our board and the dedication of more than 3,000 employees who proudly serve the mission of Tarrant County College.
Investing in TCC means investing in the future of Tarrant County. We thank the taxpayers of Tarrant County for their trust and steadfast support.
Bold Steps. Better Futures.
Elva LeBlanc, PhD
Chancellor
Updated November 21, 2025