For the first time in school history, Tarrant County College is being recognized by Military Times as one of the best places for veterans to earn a college education. The publication ranked TCC Trinity River the nation’s No. 2 public two-year higher education institution.
“Tarrant County College Trinity River is proud to be recognized as one of the top two-year higher education institutions,” said TCC Trinity River President Sean Madison. “As a veteran-friendly campus, we serve hundreds of veterans each semester, offering quality support and services to help them succeed academically and professionally.”
Formerly known as “Best for Vets”, the Military Times’ Best: Colleges 2018 rankings are based on its annual comprehensive school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement. More than 600 colleges took place in this year’s detailed survey.
“The support system here at TCC Trinity River, especially the VetSuccess Center led by Kevin Curry, has been amazing,” said Army veteran Melissa Burger, who plans to earn an associate degree before entering TCC’s competitive nursing program. “The veteran community here at TCC is extremely tight knit. Since stepping on campus, I’ve been able to meet and receive support from veterans in every department of the college. Veterans should know there is always a helping hand at TCC.”
This fall, TCC’s six-campus district had 2,500 veterans accessing benefits, with 304 veterans at TCC Trinity River accessing benefits for their education.
“This honor is a testament to the power of the one-college team approach at Tarrant County College,” said TCC Trinity River Veterans Counselor Kevin Curry III. “Emboldened by an unwavering commitment to serving the community, the entire TCC family remains committed to serving our military veterans by providing an affordable education, support and a wealth of services to help them earn a degree, certificate or credential.”
According to the publication, TCC’s ranking represents an impressive distinction for the college. “Of the hundreds of schools that applied, fewer than half received the Military Times Best: Colleges designation this year. Only the best made the cut,” said George Altman, the Military Times editor in charge of the rankings. “For the past eight years, we’ve seen colleges and universities consistently increasing their resources, revising their policies and improving their academic outcomes for military and veteran students. The Military Times’ Best: Colleges rankings showcase the very best of these efforts.”
Military Times’ annual Best Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties, and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.
“As the financial aid director, I am responsible for ensuring our veterans are educated on all of the different benefits available to them. It can be difficult coming off of active duty and making the transition to civilian life,” said TCC Trinity River Director of Financial Aid Bill McMullen. “It is extremely important that we are here to help with that transition. Being nationally recognized as an institution that exceeds veterans’ expectations gives me a deep sense of pride. It is good to know TCC is looking after those that look after us.”
For the full Military Times Best: Colleges 2018 rankings, go to https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/rankings/2017/11/20/218-schools-make-military-times-best-colleges-2018-rankings/.
The rankings are published in the Military Times magazine sent to subscribers in November as well as online at MilitaryTimes.com, ArmyTimes.com, NavyTimes.com, AirForceTimes.com and MarineCorpsTimes.com.