TJC was well represented at the 2017 Community College Day at the Capitol, held recently in Austin in conjunction with the 85th Texas Legislature.
Each session, the Texas Association of Community Colleges leads the effort to enable representatives from community colleges to meet with legislators from the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. Legislators open their doors and schedules to meet with community college representatives who are paramount to a strong Texas.
TJC students from the Student Senate, the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and the Presidential Honors Program led and coordinated a busy schedule that included meetings with Representatives Matt Schaefer, John Zerwas and Dan Flynn as well as staff members of Sen. Bryan Hughes and Rep. Travis Clardy. The group also met with Higher Education Committee legislators from both the House and Senate.
The students were joined by several administrators from the College, including Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Juan E. Mejia, Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs Sarah Van Cleef, Assistant Vice President Dr. Tim Drain, Director for Student Life Lauren Tyler, Coordinator for New Student and Family Programs Murphy Turner, and Coordinator for Student Life Caitlin Ibarra.
“Community College Day provides many opportunities for a person to see how legislators achieve goals for the people of Texas,” said Larry Keill, a freshman from Chandler.
Freshman Patrick Smallwood from Tyler added, “Community College Day was not only a once in a life time opportunity, but it was a chance for TJC’s voice to be heard by our legislators; it was an honor to be a part of this year’s event.”
“We are very grateful to our legislators for allowing us to visit, dialogue and brainstorm,” Dr. Mejia said. “I am very proud of our students as they represented TJC in a stellar manner.”