President's January Update
Happy New Year 2025! While I am not one for making resolutions that are difficult to keep and even harder to follow through on, I believe in having a plan—one that your future self will thank you for.
Having worked in education for over thirty years, my focus has always been on lifelong learning. This applies to individuals of all ages.
In the past, continued learning might have been seen as something primarily for young adults graduating from high school. But that is no longer the case. With the rapid pace of technological advancements and an increasing demand for a more skilled workforce, ongoing education has become essential for everyone in the job market—no matter their stage in life. This is where Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) can help – we are ready to assist individuals in finding the right educational plan for their specific needs. Whether through scholarship support, tutoring, career exploration, or advising, we want TVCC to be the right choice for our community and region.
One of the key legislative priorities for the 17 Oregon community colleges, in collaboration with the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA), this session is the Adult Reconnect Policy Bill. This initiative would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to convene a workgroup to research and recommend strategies for programs designed to encourage students with some college credit to return and complete their degrees or certificates.
At TVCC, this is not a new concept. We have long been proactive in our efforts, offering free courses and other incentives to help students re-start and re-engage with their education. However, we also understand the challenges many adult learners face—limited time, childcare concerns, transportation costs, and the difficulty of finding time to study while working.
Having been an adult learner myself, balancing family responsibilities and being the primary provider for our household, I can personally relate to the juggling of commitments. But I can also say from experience that it is possible to succeed – if you believe there are no obstacles in life and only challenges to overcome.
As I reflect on student success, I want to recognize the many individuals who serve as officers or members of the TVCC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I have had the privilege of meeting several of these exceptional students and have been deeply impressed by their community-mindedness and passion for improving student life at the college. These students are our future leaders, and I have no doubt they will make a meaningful impact.
Additionally, I also want to congratulate the students who have either made the Fall Quarter President’s List (4.0 GPA), Dean’s List (3.75 GPA or better), or Honor Roll (3.5 to 3.7 GPA). At TVCC, we find exemplary students like these to have a firm foundation in self-discipline, academic skills, perceptiveness, ability, and a keen understanding of core concepts. In addition to these traits, students excel from having a positive attitude and willingness toward learning regardless of the subject matter. TVCC is about supporting students to be life-long learners. To see a list of these students, go to https://www.treasurevalleycc.edu/academics/studenthonors/.
If you know someone who has always wanted to return to the classroom, please send them our way. TVCC has over 60 years of experience helping individuals overcome challenges. We are the right choice!