By Kenney Kost/managing editor

TCC is one of five finalists for an American Association of Community Colleges national award in the category of student success.

Twenty-five U.S. community colleges were selected for awards in five categories. TCC is one of just three Texas schools. The winners will be announced April 23 in San Francisco.

“We are very proud of the faculty, staff and students in becoming eligible for the award,” board of trustees member Louise Appleman said.

The American Association of Community Colleges’ student success award recognizes schools that demonstrate a commitment to student success.

Colleges are measured by certain criteria including on-time degree completion, certificate completion and transfer success rate.

Stacy Thorne, NE English associate professor, said the nomination could be attributed to the initiatives the college put in place through its Achieving the Dream program such as the Students Transitioning to Success courses, mandatory new student orientations and math emporiums.

TCC started working with Achieving the Dream three years ago and has hit the improvement mark in student success each year, Thorne said, which is a major step toward becoming a leader college for other schools to follow in implementing successful programs and initiatives.

“Our success rates are improving each year,” said NE divisional dean Linda Wright. “The most recent data shows three years of sustained success and improvement with TSI [Texas Success Initiative] liable students. A climate of student success permeates everything we do.”

NE vice president for student development services Magdalena de la Teja said it is an honor to be nominated and hopes TCC can return from San Francisco with an award in hand.

“It would be fabulous for AACC to recognize TCC for student success,” she said. “It would be an honor to receive an award in recognition of what we have been working toward with Achieving the Dream.”