Texarkana College's Board of Trustees heard a report on their being named the top community college in the state for three-year completion rates during a regular meeting Monday.
Dr. Donna McDaniel, vice president of instruction, told the board that a report from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shows that their rate of 45.8 percent is the highest of the state's 50 community colleges and double the state average of 22.8 percent. She said the high rate was due to many factors including the dedication of the TC faculty.
"There is no faculty around that does as much as our faculty does," she said. "They not only teach, they advise our students and that's above and beyond what most do at community colleges. Our faculty really do truly care about our students and they want to see them get through the process. We tell them at orientation that our goal is to see you at graduation. I think everyone has embraced that philosophy and the goal of seeing them at graduation."
She added that in 2013, the rate was 10.8 percent.
"It's a lot of people working together to make it happen," McDaniel told the board. "It is a culture that's been established. Not only is it our quality enhancement plan, all the things we do with Achieving the Dream as well as the Texas Success Center Pathway Project, we are leaders in those areas and they attribute us to getting this great rate. It's our faculty and everyone engaged with that student from start to end and helping them find ways with tutoring, whatever it might be to help them finish."
She also said that spring enrollment is 3,776, up from 3,643 last year, and that the workforce and health sciences departments show an increase of 29.14 percent.
In other business, the board agreed to a three-year lease with Community Healthcore for the college's property at 2435, which is known as the College Drive Center. The business has been in the facility since 2014, and their five-year lease ended in December 2018. The lease is for $2,500 per month, and Community Healthcore also maintains the facility.
Trustees also approved the 2019-20 academic calendar, which shows classes beginning Aug. 19 and Spring Break beginning March 19, 2020. The calendar is available at texarkanacollege.edu.