FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College Chancellor Elva LeBlanc and Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon today received the North Texas Commission 2024 Education Leadership Award. A public-private partnership established in 1971, the commission addresses regional challenges and opportunities to spur economic development, promote innovation and improve quality of life.
The commission’s annual membership lunch recognized the chancellors for their lasting impact on North Texas.
“What an honor to share this award with my colleague Dr. Justin Lonon,” Chancellor LeBlanc said. “Together we are working with business, community and education partners to create a powerful support system with far more capacity than would be possible for any single organization.”
TCC and Dallas College last month signed a historic agreement to help fill the region’s high-demand jobs and boost economic vitality. Among other initiatives, the colleges will consider economic development centers for emerging technologies and a consortium to fill healthcare vacancies.
Dr. Lonon: “To receive this prestigious honor with my friend and fellow community college champion, Chancellor Elva LeBlanc, is fitting. It represents the commitment of our colleges to create viable opportunities that enable our students, our workforce and our economy to thrive. When we work together, our communities win big.”
In 2025 both schools will celebrate 60 years of transforming lives and communities.
Dr. LeBlanc hasn’t slowed down since becoming TCC’s sixth chancellor in late 2022. Under her leadership, the College has elevated program offerings, fortified learning and strengthened partnerships. Enrollment this fall exceeds a post-pandemic high at 47,351 students.
The College cheered more than 7,200 graduates at its 55th commencement celebration in May, validating the school’s national Top 10 ranking for the number of associate degrees awarded annually.
As a capstone to the 2024 academic cycle, TCC received notice of its 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Work continues to modernize TCC facilities thanks to a voter-approved $825 million bond program. Four state-of-the-art buildings, including key structures in the redevelopment of the Northwest and Southeast campuses, have opened since 2023. Three more are under construction or being renovated. Cutting-edge child care centers open at TCC Northwest and South in 2025.
Collaborations are on the rise.
- New Heights High School, the only dual enrollment partnership of its kind in Texas, started its first term at TCC’s Opportunity Center earlier this month with 650 students. Eligible adults ages 18-50 can concurrently earn a full high school diploma and college-level certification in several career and technical programs.
- A partnership with the Fort Worth Film Commission and 101 Studios is shaping a robust film industry workforce in Tarrant County. Additional certificate offerings are planned.
- A grant from the National Science Foundation is funding electronics technology training for high school students dually enrolled in the College’s Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing program. Intel and Texas Instruments will offer internships to eligible participants.
- A new high-tech gamma camera from Siemens, a national leader in breakthrough technology, ensures that nuclear medicine technology graduates start their careers with peak experience. TCC’s program is one of only five in the state.
- At TCC’s Public Safety Training Center, first responders for 80 fire and law enforcement agencies receive true-to-career training. The center served more than 19,000 students last year.
- Designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity last October, the College is helping meet the need for skilled professionals to protect the global information infrastructure.
- Teaming with the Tarrant County Jail, TCC is giving inmates a second chance through its Next Phase program. Nonviolent offenders start certificate completion classes while serving their time, then finish coursework when they’re released.
Chancellor LeBlanc praises TCC’s Board of Trustees, TCC Foundation board members and faculty and staff for accomplishments like these. She said today’s NTC award belongs to them.
“As a person of gratitude, I recognize my good fortune. This honor testifies to the greatness that surrounds me. It is a splendid reward, North Texas Commission. We will make you proud.”
Dr. LeBlanc has almost three decades of experience in higher education administration, including five years as Galveston College president, two years as executive vice president for instructional affairs at Austin Community College, and president of TCC’s Northwest Campus from 2006 to 2017. She served as Tarrant County College executive vice chancellor and provost until her appointment as acting chancellor in June 2022.
She completed 59 hours in one year as a student at Tarrant County College before transferring to the University of North Texas to finish her undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.