From July 10th to July 27th TCC Northwest hosted another successful College for Kids program, thanks to a team of a faculty and staff volunteers. In addition to the registrar and business services helping with last minute changes to schedules and fees, police officers provided support during pick up and drop off times. The Northwest building, facilities and custodial teams put in extra time to move supplies, put up and remove signage, clean additional areas and provide general maintenance. College for Kids could not have been successful without the support of these volunteers.
On Friday, August 25, 2023, the command staff of the TCC Northwest Public Safety Training Center was presented with the FBI Agency Trilogy Award. The award is presented to law enforcement agencies whose entire command staff has completed the FBI-LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy Leadership Series. The series consists of three levels of challenging one-week programs for leadership and management certifications. The award was presented by retired agent Frank Woodall. Agent Woodall indicated that the TCC NW Academy is possibly the first academy to achieve this honor. The presentation of this honor included Chancellor LeBlanc, President Blankenbaker, Vice-President of Academic AffairsThomas Sosa, and Dean Brown. The command staff receiving the award included Lead Coordinator Damon Ing, Coordinator Jim McGregor, Coordinator Sha King and Coordinator Rafael Perea.
On August 21-24, Student Activities hosted Welcome Week—a series of events for students-during the first week of class with the theme Fresh Start. On Monday, students were given fresh lemonade and the opportunity to plant a fresh succulent to “grow” with them this semester. On TCC Tuesday, students were given free shirts and a citrus cupcake. On Wellness Wednesday, students learned about opportunities for wellness on campus and enjoyed a healthy lunch. And on Thirsty Thursday, Students enjoyed fresh boba tea. In total, 788 students participated in Welcome Week events.
On August 24, 2023, Cristo Rey Fort Worth hosted its draft day where Jasmine Quezada, Coordinator I of Intercultural Student Engagement, and Carmen Wise, Instructional Tech, represented TCC Northwest. The event is an NFL-style draft day that matches Cristo Rey students up with the businesses where they will intern as part of the school’s work study program. Students underwrite half the cost of their education by working one day a week in clerical and administrative roles for corporate sponsors who offer employment experience in a variety of departments.
On September 19, 2023, Guests of Dr. Blankenbaker from the Humanities and Spanish and English Language Learning Divisions attended the Fort Worth Sister Cities Annual Meeting. Lourdes Davenport, Coordinator of the English Language Learning Program, Mayra Fuentes and Alejandro Garza, Associate Professors of Spanish, attended the 38th Annual Meeting of the FW Sister Cities International. Our global education programs are designed to support lifelong learning and cultural competence. “We’re not just making people smarter. We’re making the world better,” said the team of Garza, Davenport and Mayra Fuentes.
On September 20, 2023, the Kinesiology Department hosted its Fall 2023 Open House. Some students visited the facility during the event, 150 students participated in table visits to claim food and more than 160 students signed up for information about future classes and events. This event provided students with an opportunity to gain insight into the Kinesiology Department’s academic offerings, curriculum and facilities at Northwest Campus. The program included informative class demonstrations, prizes, and refreshments. Some of the representatives include YMCA, City of Fort Worth, TCU, UTA and Tarleton State.
On September 22, 2023, Speech faculty member Tyler Anderson presented at the Annual John Whitmer Historical Association Conference in Fredericksburg, Texas. The paper was entitled “From a More Exalted Sphere: Latter-day Saint Pioneers in Space” and explored the lives, careers, and religious influence of three Mormon astronauts, Don L. Lind, U.S. Sen. Jake Garn, and Col. Richard A. Searfoss.
On September 22, 2023, The Horticulture Department and the WMSCI Division hosted the Marine Creek Nature Discovery Center Garden Clean-up Day. Around 14 faculty members, staff members and student volunteers helped to create new walking paths by moving crushed gravel, weeding out gardens, cleaning up trash and planting new plants. This team includes Instructor of Spanish; Lauren Park, Science Teacher at MCCHS; Tom Fraire, Principal of MCCHS; and Jean-Michael Toro, Learning Commons Associate.
On September 26, 2023, Northwest Student Activities hosted a Sexual Violence Awareness Speakeasy Event, Take Back the Night. Take Back the Night is a worldwide movement to stand against all forms of sexual violence. Almost 175 students attended the Speakeasy where they were educated on the movement while enjoying some jazz music, fizzy non-alcoholic beverages and pre-packaged charcuterie.
On September 28, 2023, The Intercultural Network, Career Services and T3, hosted a Financial Literacy presentation, “College Guide to Managing Money.” Career Partner Bank of America presented on budget, goals, saving money, managing expenses and credit scores. A total of 30 students attended the event, actively participating by asking insightful questions. They enjoyed lunch and received prizes, making it a successful and informative gathering.
On September 28, 2023, the Spanish Department hosted Escaramuzas. The Escaramuzas cultural event at Northwest is a part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. “Escaramuza charra is the only female equestrian event in the Mexican charrería. The escaramuza means “skirmish” and consists of a team riding horses in choreographed synchronized maneuvers to music”. Students were engaged while asking questions and enjoying burritos.
On October 4, 2023, English and Humanities Instructor LeeAnn Oliver published several poems from her forthcoming collection. Oliver’s poems appear in the Fall 2023 issues of Ink and Marrow, Willawaw Journal, and Superpresent Magazine. This month her poems will be featured in Exposed Brick Literary Magazine, Sunspot Literary Journal and Livina Press. The poems are titled “Trail Turns Cold,” “Brood XXII,” “Bolivar Ferry,” “Summer Day, Oregon Coast,” “Malachite,” “How to Describe the Sky,” “Origin Story,” and “Ritual.” These poems are part of a collection about medical trauma and the healing power of art, relationships, and the natural world.
On October 19, 2023, the Mathematics and Sciences Division hosted “STEM, So What!” A Northwest Campus symposium series that showcases the role of STEM beyond the classroom. The series presented certain topics, trends or careers in STEM disciplines. The style of the series was intended to provide an interactive and informal avenue of communication with students that highlights a diverse array of applications in various STEM subjects. Over 80 attendees were present to hear Nicholas Conrad, Professor of Microbiology, talk on why RNA is important to life on Earth.
On October 21, 2023, The Academic Foundations Department hosted the Citizen Application Workshop. Approximately 100 families visited the Northwest Campus to receive assistance with their application for citizenship process. As a result of this community event, 60 families who were eligible to apply will potentially maximize their earning potential, enter the workforce and be promoted to higher-paying positions, VOTE! Volunteers included students, staff, and community members.
On November 1, 2023, James Hobbs will embark on the inaugural 2YC Faculty STEMSEAS expedition traveling from Seattle to Honolulu aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson. Hobbs has been nationally selected as one of ten 2-year faculty members from schools across the U.S. to participate in the inaugural 2YC Faculty STEMSEAS expedition. The primary objectives of this expedition are to prepare community college faculty, like James, to serve as future STEMSEAS expedition mentors, to be immersed in the STEMSEAS experience to genuinely encourage our students to seize similar opportunities and to offer a thrilling and transformative professional development experience.
