At Tulsa Community College, our mission encapsulates all the aspects of who we are and what we do.
“Building success through education.” Simple, and to the point.
Success can have many different definitions, whether it’s easily transferring to finish a bachelor’s degree at one of our higher education partners, or jumping right into the workforce to earn a family-sustaining wage at one of our local employers.
Success means students start here and graduate. Success means opportunities they would not have access to without their degree. It means wages that change the trajectory of our students and their families’ lives. Success means an education that will serve them and enrich their lives.
Did you know the more degrees a city, community, state, and country have, the more economically sound they become? Education is the beating heart of the world. It widens perspectives and increases understanding. It creates opportunity for people and communities to thrive. It is a transformational force.
Have you heard the term “ALICE?” It’s an acronym for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” The latest ALICE report from the Tulsa Area United Way shows that 45 percent of Oklahoma households are below the ALICE threshold, meaning they are working but still unable to meet basic needs. For a single adult, a “household survival budget” is $27,780, and $80,832 for a family of four.
It is our responsibility as Tulsa’s higher education champion to do what we can to impact the success of our community. We are partnering with WestEd and the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement to develop programs designed to move students from low-wage, unstable employment into family-sustaining careers. We’re beginning that work by concentrating on three new pathways: Healthcare Administration, Data Analytics, and Child Development.
Child Development will become TCC’s first-ever bachelor’s degree when it’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
In this issue of Community Magazine, you’ll see stories from those impacted by our mission, and from those who work tirelessly to enact it.
We are part of this community. We are invested, and we will continue to invest in building success through education.
As always, thank you for your continued support of TCC.
– Leigh Goodson