FORT WORTH — Texas It should come as no surprise to the legion of Judith Carrier admirers that one of her first tasks in education was high school cheerleader sponsor. After all, she was always a vocal booster of her college, colleagues, faculty, students and her many civic undertakings.
She applauded success, frequently employing her signature word — “Super!” — while at the same time urging those she praised to consider working just a little harder.
Dr. Carrier joined Tarrant County College Northeast in 1971 after years of teaching in Burleson and at Arlington’s Sam Houston High School. She was a counselor at Sam when Don Anthony, the new Northeast president, told her he wanted more women in administrative posts and sent her to a conference in Florida to gain some experience.
A few months later, then Chancellor Joe B. Rushing came to her with an offer. “It’s time to think about women and about senior citizens,” she remembered him saying. She had a choice of two positions — director of counseling or director of special services, such services to encompass women, minorities and seniors. She chose the latter.
She served in that post through the summer and fall of 1974 and spring 1975. “By that time, Northwest was opening and (president) Mike Saenz hired me as dean of students,” she said. “I guess I was doing OK.”
It was now 1976, and Dr. Carrier was seen to be on track for a campus presidency, but the track was not a fast one. Saenz was firmly ensconced at Northwest. No openings were on the horizon until 1995 when two popped up due to a retirement at Northeast and a new campus, Southeast, opening. Dr. Carrier, to no one’s surprise, was named Southeast president.
Her starting date was supposed to be March 1, but she was so excited that she began to flesh out her faculty and staff in December. “People come up and ask me, ‘How can you wait until March to start?’ ” she said when interviewed for a TCC newsletter. “Don’t put this in the story, but I already have.”
She turned first to her colleagues at Northwest, nabbing some of the best and brightest. Mike Cinatl, destined to be her right-hand man, remembers her saying, “I need you to come with me, as I need you by my side.” When she tried to enlist Tahita Fulkerson, vice president for academic affairs, and Joe Rode, director of counseling, Chancellor C.A. Roberson put his foot down. She could have one, he said, but not both.
She threw herself into making Southeast a watchword both at the campus and throughout the community. Her coming-out party was at the annual Fourth of July parade in Arlington. She sat proudly atop the back seat of a red convertible while faculty and staff walked behind with red-white-and-blue golf umbrellas to block the fierce Texas sun.
She sought to link city and campus in everyone’s mind. At off-campus appearances, and there were many, she would announce herself as the president of “TCC Southeast Campus in Arlington.” It got to where, if she mentioned the first part in a Chancellor’s Cabinet meeting, her colleagues would automatically tack on the rest.
She was constantly in touch with local and state officials, reminding them what a jewel they had in the campus and offering to support them in any way possible. “If there was a Mount Rushmore for Southeast Tarrant County, Dr. Judith Carrier would be on it,” said state Rep. Chris Turner. “As the founding president of TCC Southeast Campus, she had a profound impact on our community. She made possible the education of countless people in our community, including many first-generation college students. From older adults returning to school to high school students taking advantage of dual enrollment courses — and everyone in-between — Dr. Carrier was invested in their success.
“Because her enthusiasm was contagious and her leadership so effective, she made sure everyone around her was similarly invested. Her passion and deep commitment to education accessibility for everyone — and the promise of opportunity that education makes possible — was always her North Star. I will deeply miss Dr. Carrier, but her legacy and lasting community impact will outlive us all.”
So intertwined was she with the campus that it was a thunderbolt when, in 2011, she announced her retirement. One colleague told her, “Judith, that is absolutely the last thing I thought you would ever say.”
She went out with a bang, the campus throwing a humdinger of a retirement party highlighted by Dr. Carrier and three male administrators doing high kicks on the stage.
She passed away July 5, two days short of her 88th birthday. Tributes came from everywhere, prominently from Mike and Mary Cinatl, who were in charge of planning the viewing and funeral.
“When I think of Dr. Carrier, I think of a charismatic and formidable leader — one who was always elegant and cheerful, one who led with confidence and grace, and whom others joyfully followed. A woman who was passionate about education and making a difference in the world,” Mary Cinatl said. “The Judith I got to know on a personal level was still strong and in charge but was also so much more. She put others first, always! If there were any possible way she could use her talent, wisdom, connections, finances or experiences to touch the lives of others, especially those in need, she would not hesitate to do so!
“She believed in paying it forward, and she did so every chance she got. She did so quietly, unobtrusively and with no fanfare. It’s the good she did, the legacy she left, the kindness she shared that I will remember.”
Mike Cinatl remembers Dr. Carrier as visionary, creative, hard-working — and always ready to try something new. “She loved her campus, the faculty and staff, and wanted them well taken care of. I learned so very much from Judith and felt like the two of us were a team,” he said.
“One of my fondest memories is that each year we had a special holiday event sponsored by an Arlington or Mansfield organization. Faculty and staff had the opportunity to see so many companies and organizations in our community. They also had a fun and wonderful day to kick off the holiday season. I received so many opportunities to engage with community organizations and leaders. I will always cherish Dr. Carrier and remember all I learned from her.”
It was fitting that Elva LeBlanc, who followed Dr. Carrier as TCC’s second female campus president, saluted her, as well.
“With heavy hearts, the TCC community mourns the passing of Dr. Judith Carrier, a true pioneer who embodied the Trailblazer spirit in every sense,” she said. “Dr. Carrier’s visionary leadership, dedication to student success and tireless service to education leaves an enduring legacy. Her influence will echo through the lives she touched, the institutions she shaped and the countless students she empowered.”
Dr. Carrier did indeed leave an enduring legacy. That cheerleader voice may have been stilled, but it will continue to resonate in the hearts of everyone at Tarrant County College.
Celebrating 60 years of excellence and impact in 2025, 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 community college with six campuses in Tarrant County, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds.