Chancellor, business and civic leaders honor College’s legacy, look to the future
FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College marks a milestone today, celebrating 60 years of life-changing progress and deep-rooted impact across one of the fastest growing regions in the country. It’s a legacy Chancellor Elva LeBlanc never tires of sharing — a story shaped by the very people TCC was created to serve.
“Sixty years ago, our founders dared to imagine a community college where academic excellence, access and opportunity could thrive — a place that would empower generations of Tarrant County residents to rise, lead and shape the future,” Dr. LeBlanc said Wednesday at a breakfast honoring the College’s storied history.
“I believe we’ve not only fulfilled the vision, we have exceeded it — given the unstoppable power of collaboration. Because of you, our Board of Trustees, the TCC Foundation, our faculty and staff, business and education partners, and elected leaders. Our champions. Our friends. Together, we have made TCC what it is today and paved the way for what it surely will become.”
Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans, Fort Worth Chamber Chairman Brian Newby, and Greater Arlington Chamber President and CEO Michael Jacobson all joined the chancellor to explore TCC’s regional impact.
Numerous proclamations have named July 31, 2025, Tarrant County College Day.
Sixty years ago to the day, county residents cast a vote to establish a community college that would build better futures for all. What began as Tarrant County Junior College has evolved into a six-campus institution annually serving nearly 100,000 students, offering more than 240 degree and certificate options, and supporting one in every 55 Tarrant jobs.
With an economic impact of $2.3 billion, TCC unmistakably is an engine for regional prosperity. An independent study by the nationally recognized labor market analysis firm Lightcast shows alumni contributing $1.8 million in added income to the local economy in fiscal year 2024, and the College continues to educate and train students for high-demand careers in every industry — healthcare, aerospace, radio/TV/film, public safety, automotive technology, education, information technology and more.
Taxpayers benefit as well, with $505.3 million in added revenue and another $50.3 million in savings from reduced demand on social services, thanks to higher education access.
Chancellor LeBlanc: “Behind every statistic is a student — a life changed. A first-generation college graduate. A working parent gaining new skills. A learner who now leads. These are the real victories of TCC’s first 60 years.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker earlier in the week praised the College’s legacy and leadership: “For decades Tarrant County College has played a critical role in shaping our community’s future. As Fort Worth continues to grow, TCC remains at the forefront of this transformation — developing a new generation of talent ready to contribute to our workforce and economy. Congratulations, TCC, for 60 years of immeasurable impact.”
In a statement, U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman echoed that sentiment: “Tarrant County College has grown into one of the largest higher education institutions in Texas. Now more than ever, TCC’s focus on workforce readiness and innovative programs is preparing the next generation of American workers for in-demand growth — not just in our community and state, but across the country. Congratulations, Tarrant County College, on 60 incredible years.”
Since its opening, TCC has served more than 1.2 million students and awarded nearly 180,000 credentials of value — almost 8,000 this spring. Last year alone, one in every 28 Tarrant County residents was a TCC student.
Student achievement has always been TCC’s core mission. Thanks to the generosity of the College’s benefactors, the Tarrant County College Foundation annually awards nearly $1 million in scholarships, putting wishes in motion and people to work.
“Tarrant County College is one of the most important drivers of economic mobility in the region,” said Fort Worth Chamber President and CEO Steve Montgomery. “Its ability to respond quickly to business needs while empowering students makes it a model of modern workforce development. This milestone is a deserved celebration of progress and shared success.”
TCC’s impact extends beyond Fort Worth to Hurst-Euless-Bedford, North Richland Hills and Arlington-Mansfield.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross: “TCC stands as a trusted partner in preparing a workforce that’s ready for what’s next. With gratitude, we experience TCC in every corner of our city — from students who earn their degrees here to employers who depend on them.”
TCC’s new multiyear strategic plan, Trailblazing Together: 2030, provides the road map to ensure the College continues to bridge the connection between education and employment for the next 60 years and beyond.
“We’re not just celebrating the past, we’re looking ahead and investing in the future,” Dr. LeBlanc said. “We stand at the edge of the next era with the same courage that lit our path in 1965. The trailblazing will never stop.”
Learn more about TCC’s 60 years of excellence and impact at https://www.tccd.edu/60th/. Watch a commemorative video online.
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.