Period of rebuilding for a veteran includes TCC
FORT WORTH, Texas – After 10 years in the Army, including two tours in Afghanistan, Mark Power struggled transitioning back to civilian life. For a time, he was homeless.
But there was hope. Always hope.
He found shelter through the veterans program Liberty House in Fort Worth, where he regained structure. He moved to independent housing within a year.
Foundation in place, his hope added a dimension.
Next step: Tarrant County College.
TCC provided access to education and strong support for veterans, he says. And that made all the difference in the world.
“It became the place where I rebuilt my life,” he said, “and committed to my future.” And he excelled.
Mark has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He says several faculty and staff members have had a hand in that, including TCC South President Dan Lufkin, who mentored him in his academic and personal growth. Veterans counselor Valerie Groll also offered encouragement.
“I had the privilege of witnessing Mark’s extraordinary journey of growth, leadership, academic excellence and service, both to the veteran and local communities,” she said. “He has demonstrated exceptional leadership as president of the TCC South SVA chapter.” Mark is one of only 100 student veterans to attend the SVA National Leadership Institute in Washington, DC.
As SVA president Mark led several community partnerships. He’s proud of a collaboration with the Tarrant Area Food Bank and helping launch a community garden to address food insecurity. He organized blanket and clothing drives benefitting homeless veterans and got hands-on in the Healing Garden at Valor Ranch, a nonprofit in Decatur in Wise County.
TCC alumna Keri Anne Wilcox, a former president of the Northwest Campus SVA chapter, founded Valor Ranch in 2018. It emphasizes temporary housing for female veterans.
Mark serves as a trained mentor offering financial guidance and peer counseling with Pathfinders of Fort Worth, a nonprofit working to empower individuals to find their path to social and financial well-being. He is also an active mentor in Texas Veteran Treatment Court.
Mark credits the military with shaping his approach to challenges. It taught him discipline. It made him accountable. It strengthened his resilience. He says he now applies those values to his education by staying prepared and committed to his goals — a focus he never could muster in college previously.
“I lacked direction and stability,” he said. “At TCC, that changed completely. It was transformative.”
Now he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work — credentials to combine “leadership, education and service to make a meaningful impact, particularly by supporting veterans and others who are working to rebuild their lives.”
He enthusiastically recommends TCC to veterans and nontraditional students. “TCC was a turning point in my life. It gave me the opportunity to rebuild, focus and achieve at a high level.”
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.