A commercial featuring Tarrant County College aired on the NBC television network during the University of Notre Dame and University of Louisville football game on Nov. 22. Footage for the commercial was filmed at the Trinity River Campus.
The promotional spot focused on “Stay the Course,” a program designed to help low-income community college students graduate. Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities and Catholic Charities Fort Worth partnered to develop the program. “Research shows that a large percentage of students drop out because of issues outside of the classroom,” said Notre Dame economics professor Jim Sullivan, adding that as many as 60 percent of community college students drop out before they graduate.
“We’re identifying programs that address causes rather than symptoms of poverty,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president, Catholic Charities USA. “Counselors are provided to help students navigate non-academic barriers through case management and emergency financial services,” said Sullivan.
“When Catholic Charities reached out to TCC with the Stay the Course program, I jumped at the opportunity for our campus to be involved,” said Tahita Fulkerson, Trinity River Campus president. “We value any program that leads to student success.”
Stay the Course is working. In the first year of the program, TCC experienced a 25 percent reduction in the dropout rate.
TCC student Alexia Sights, featured in the commercial, faced challenges which threatened her ability to complete her education. “When I had my son, I knew having a college degree would provide better opportunities for my future,” said Sights. “But it was a struggle every day. I missed classes because I couldn’t afford day care. My grades suffered because of it.”
After signing up for Stay the Course program, Sights received the assistance she needed. “My counselor is amazing. She helped me find and pay for affordable day care. My grades are better and I’m on course to be the first person in my immediate family to graduate from college.”
Stay the Course Commercial
