FORT WORTH — Tarrant County College this afternoon celebrated six exemplary employees — nominated by peers and students — at its Trailblazers Awards Ceremony, recognizing their contributions to teaching, innovation, service, leadership and student success.
“These Trailblazers represent the very best of who we are at TCC,” said Chancellor Elva LeBlanc. “They are leaders in and out of the classroom, dedicated to empowering our students, strengthening our community and showing what is possible when passion meets purpose. Their excellence inspires all of us to aim higher and do more.”
Five faculty and one staff member received awards.
2025 faculty award recipients:
Chancellor’s Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Julia Frink founded the TCC Connect Accounting Advisory Council and launched the Accounting Heroes speaker series to involve students with industry professionals. The 2022 American Accounting Association Two-Year College Educator of the Year was selected for the TXCPA Leadership Academy and Talent Strong Texas Pathways Institute #5 to help guide the next generation of accounting leaders.
Chancellor’s Outstanding Teaching Award: Dr. Ginelle Gellert has taught college-level biology for more than 15 years, including a decade at TCC. She incorporates case studies to build critical thinking and real-world applications and refines her courses using student performance data. She mentors faculty and contributes to TCC Northeast student achievement efforts such as the Academic Standards Committee and the Anatomy and Physiology Student Readiness Subcommittee.
Chancellor’s Innovation Award: Psychology Instructor Katherine Anderson developed Active Learning Refresh, a six-week faculty series featuring 18 low-prep, science-based teaching strategies. The program adapts supplemental instruction methods to enhance student success and faculty engagement while efficiently using existing models and resources.
Chancellor’s Outstanding Service Award: Rebecca Luig serves as the District Academic Curriculum Team secretary and program coordinator for the TCC South Teacher Education Program, leading efforts in promotion, recruitment and retention. A contributor to the Engaged Learning Institute, she facilitates workshops on active learning and faculty engagement. She also plans the curriculum for STEM Bootcamp and the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program with Texas Wesleyan University. She furthers community outreach through events such as Suicide Awareness and US PREP Community Partnership Pathways, an initiative focused on strengthening educator preparation through collaborations.
Chancellor’s Adjunct Faculty Success Award: Mathematics Adjunct Professor Yuliya Schmidt is dedicated to her students, facilitating reflective discussions to deepen understanding and curiosity about mathematics and how students can apply their knowledge inside and outside the classroom. With a strong dual-credit success record, she is a multiple-time Mansfield ISD Distinguished Educator.
Vice Chancellor and Provost Shelley Pearson: “The true strength of TCC lies in the excellence of our faculty. Their innovative teaching and unwavering commitment to students set a high bar for academic quality.”
The Chancellor’s Staff Award for Outstanding Service, introduced this year, recognizes a full-time staff member who exemplifies the College’s determination to make a lasting impact on the student experience.
The 2025 recipient, Dr. Courtney Matthews-Roberson, was honored for designing and implementing a Collegewide curriculum and facilitator guide for the Peer Leader Transformation Retreat. She also reimagined the TCC Connect New Trailblazer Orientation as an asynchronous, interactive modular format to enhance accessibility. She partners with local schools and community groups to raise awareness and resources for Toro’s Food Pantry.
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.