Thank you nurses!

TCC's Nursing Program is celebrating its 40th anniversary as I write this.

As I listen to students talk about the program, I can't help but think that they may be taking care of me or someone I love someday. I can't imagine what it takes to be a nurse. It isn't the career for me, but I am so thankful for the ones who do choose it. To all the nurses, Thank you!!



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Location:Center for Creativity

Completing a dream



TCC soon-to-be grad Greg, left, with his mentor Michael at today's party.

 This afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting three TCC students who are graduating in a little more than a week. Their accomplishments were celebrated today at a pre-graduation party at the TCC Northeast Campus. And, nothing says "graduation party" more than a yummy cake decorated with mini diplomas and mini graduation hats.

The celebration honored the three grads, of course, but it had a deeper message: Follow your dreams. All of the grads are members of the African American Male Success Team at TCC, which is a component of TCC's Achieving the Dream initiative.

Achieving the Dream is all about getting more students to complete certificates and degrees, especially minorities and first-generation college students. And through the African American Male group, African American male faculty and staff are mentoring African American male students to do just that.

The mentors and mentees are forming bonds by sharing common ground and the same belief: More African American males must complete degrees. This mutual understanding is motivating everyone to work together to make a change.

While TCC's mentor/mentee group is fairly new, it is clear that it is making a difference. This graduation party was filled with around 30 young African American men who clapped and cheered on their graduating friends, knowing their turn is coming.

You can't help but be inspired by that.

Happy tears

There is so much going on at TCC. Things are definitely hopping around here, and I’m not referring to the approaching Easter weekend.

One of the most exciting things that is coming up has to be, of course, graduation! This year’s TCC graduation is May 6 at the ORU Mabee Center, and the keynote speaker is Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith. I am very much looking forward to hearing this inspirational man encourage TCC’s newest grads at the commencement ceremony.

Graduation is always an emotional time for the graduates and their families. But it’s also emotional for TCC employees. Faculty are watching their students achieve milestones and staff are reflecting on the previous year of how they helped students reach their goals. It’s always fun to see everyone's happy tears flowing.

And, I’m never disappointed by the diversity of people at TCC’s graduation. Young mothers with their children in bright-colored, formal clothes; 20-year-old men posing with their parents in the lobby; grandparents in caps and gowns holding their young grandchildren’s hands; and international students from across the globe having photos taken with Oklahoma natives. It’s something to see.

Come to the TCC graduation. You will be inspired, and you may even shed a tear.

FYI--Several activities are going on next week. On Monday, I’ll be attending the African American male graduation party at the Northeast Campus, Steps for Success on Thursday at the Education Outreach Center and the Nursing anniversary on Friday at the Metro Campus. Going to be a busy week!

Hello!

Hello TCC students and people who may become TCC students! My name is Cindy, and this is my first blog for TCC.

I work at TCC, and my job keeps me jumping from campus to campus. I get to meet students, faculty and staff who are doing some amazing things at TCC—but I don’t always get to tell people about them. My hope for this blog is to offer useful information to you but also give you insight into TCC—the same kind of insight if you would get if we talked face-to-face.

I’d love to hear your comments and questions about TCC on the new TCC Facebook Fan Page. Talk to you soon.