TCCTA Foundation

Foundation for Professional Excellence in the Community College

The Foundation for Professional Excellence in the Community College was established in 2003 to support the professional development efforts of the Texas Community College Teachers Association.

History

Patsy Lemaster, Amarillo College, was the Foundation’s first chair. Her efforts led to the creation of the Foundation-led Texas Professional and Organizational Development Network (TexPod), to connect and support professional development programs at Texas two-year colleges. The program, funded through a grant from the Houston Endowment, created a support network for professional and organizational development coordinators, for sharing resources and ideas, as well as gatherings at TCCTA events.

The Texas Network was developed through a Carl D. Perkins Leadership grant, in partnership with Austin Community College. This network includes hundreds of online resources, including modules, electronic documents, live online events, and a calendar of professional development conferences and programs. The Network has partnered with a number of individuals and organizations, including the College Academic Support Programs (CASP) and the Texas College Reading and Learning Association (TxCRLA) to help deliver their online services.

FPECC is a 501(c)(3) corporation, with a six-member governing board, consisting of faculty and administrators at community colleges across the state of Texas.

Click here for Foundation Bylaws

What is the Foundation?

The Foundation for Professional Excellence in the Community College was created to make a difference in Texas higher education by promoting professionalism and accountability in Texas two-year colleges through the study, teaching and practice of quality education.

The Foundation is committed to:
  • improving educational opportunities in colleges and making sure that community college students are exposed to the best teaching practices in the classroom and well-prepared for the demands of today’s workplace;
  • sharing resources, through programs at live events, such as the TCCTA annual conference;
  • encouraging and supporting innovative projects to solve the pressing needs of our society by recognizing that only when teachers are well-prepared and given the tools to succeed can quality learning outcomes for students be achieved.

Why Should I Support the Foundation?

  • The majority of students participating in higher education in Texas are attending community colleges.
  • The vast majority of first-generation in college students are attending community colleges.
  • Over half of those presently teaching in Texas community colleges will be reaching retirement age within the next 10 years. Who will carry on the community college commitment to open access — while maintaining quality programs — when current educators retire from our campuses?
  • Our state is facing an economic and societal dilemma: if we cannot close the gaps in higher education by providing a quality education for all Texans, we all lose! FPECC is a part of the solution.

Foundation Goals

  • Develop an Adjunct Faculty Fellows Program
  • Help TCCTA to offer relevant professional development opportunities
  • Obtain in dynamic speakers
  • Provide scholarships to help attendees cover registration costs
  • Help to uphold the mission of TCCTA

How Can I Make a Difference?

You can make a difference to the achievement and success of students across the state by giving your support to the Foundation, including:
  • financial support in the form of contributions, donations to honor or remember a leader, ear-marked pledges for particular projects, and bequests;
  • your service as a member of the Foundation Board or a promoter of board activities;
  • your promotion of the Foundation to distinguished leaders in your community who can also make a difference.

The Foundation Board

The Foundation for Professional Excellence in the Community College (FPECC or “The Foundation”) is run by six volunteers; the current year’s TCCTA President-Elect, Vice President, and Professional Development Chair with three TCCTA members nominated by the TCCTA Executive Committee.

Learn More...
We hope you’ll consider supporting the work of our Foundation by making a donation today!! To find out more, please contact us at 512-328-2044, Ext. 1.
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