FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College has earned the Texas Veterans Commission’s Gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award for the third consecutive year. The award was presented Oct. 5 at the Texas A&M University System Military-Affiliated Symposium in Frisco.
Gold is the highest honor in the noncompetitive program, which the Legislature established to applaud public colleges and universities for excellence in providing education and related services.
The recognition reflects work across the College, particularly through its Veterans Resource Centers and the counselors who lead them.
“At TCC, we see the unique experiences and strengths military-connected students bring to our College community,” said Janay Alston-Burnett, Trinity River vice president of student affairs. “We help students navigate college resources, overcome barriers and access the support they need. Our commitment is to ensure that every military-connected student feels valued and empowered.”
The commission evaluates institutions on their offerings, such as centralized resources, a designated contact for student veterans, tailored admissions and orientation, academic support, mental health and disability services, and career counseling. Additional criteria include participation in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs work-study program and veterans-oriented organizations, housing policies and faculty and staff training.
Social work major Billy Jackson said the Veterans Resource Center greatly helped him rebuild his confidence when he returned to school. “The VRC provided me with a place where I could sit, gather my thoughts and work through the doubts that come with transitioning back into academic life.”
Jackson, a U.S. Navy veteran, said he reconnected with the camaraderie he had missed since serving. “The staff provided mentorship and guidance that still shapes my academic journey. The VRC didn’t just assist me as a student; it supported me as a veteran, as a person and as someone building a new chapter of life.”
For more information, visit Contacts for Veterans and Military-Connected Students — TCC.
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.