MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

James R. Anderson, Ph.D., Chancellor Several key goals were achieved this year, including a major land swap with Fort Hood, the approval of our master plan for campus renovations and the expansion of our global presence. Combined, these accomplishments will reap benefits to the college and the community for years to come.

The land transfer allows us to move ahead with a road extension through campus, the expansion of the student center and the addition of an electronic marquee sign at the campus entrance. In addition we have also begun planning for construction of a new nursing facility on land near the Tarleton State-Central Texas building. It is our goal to further enhance the nursing program through a collaborative effort with Tarleton and Metroplex Hospital.

As instructional technology evolves, we continue to expand alternatives to the traditional classroom format. We not only offer classes online, but also through hand-held devices such as Personal Pocket Computers (PPCs/PDAs) and iPods. This accessibility is key for our deployed military students.

As the military’s global presence expanded, we kept pace by establishing an on-base college program at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, Africa. In conjunction with the University of Maryland, we coordinated the facilities, developed a class schedule and began registering students in August 2007.

We added an articulation agreement with Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa this November, providing one more opportunity for students to transition seamlessly to a four-year university and guarantee transferability of credit hours.

Closer to home, our students continue to make impressive strides in their educational pursuits as evidenced by our Forensics (speech) team earning numerous honors at tournaments across the state; the SIFE team earning another regional championship and finishing eighth in the national competition (the only school from Texas to qualify for nationals); and the aviation science department consistently finishing near the top in regional and national SAFECON events. These success stories are not only a tribute to the students but to the quality of their sponsors and faculty.

Our dual credit partnership program with area high schools is growing by leaps and bounds, offering unprecedented access to college classes at each high school campus. We also introduced our Fast Track program for high school students, providing assistance on each campus through every step of the admissions process to ensure acceptance to CTC upon graduation.

Thank you,

James R. Anderson, Ph.D.
Chancellor