Tyler Offers Trio of Excellent Higher-Education Options
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Whether students are looking to earn a master’s degree or learn the skills required for a local industry’s innovative manufacturing process‚ they need look no further than Tyler’s three higher-education institutions: the University of Texas at Tyler‚ Texas College and Tyler Junior College.
With an enrollment of nearly 6‚000‚ UT Tyler is “the fastest-growing four-year institution in the state of Texas as far as percentage‚” says Jim Hutto‚ UT Tyler’s dean of enrollment management.
In 1997‚ the Texas Legislature expanded UT Tyler to a four-year institution‚ a move that prompted the astounding growth in student numbers. Offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in five colleges‚ UT Tyler plans to double enrollment by 2010.
The Perryman Group‚ a Waco-based economic research and analysis firm‚ evaluated UT Tyler’s impact on business activity and reported in 2005 that the institution “enhances numerous aspects of the lives of all East Texans. Its presence is an essential element of local economic prosperity‚ educational attainment‚ health-care delivery and cultural diversity. Its ongoing expansion and perpetual innovations bode well for increasing the capacity of the region to be a vital part of the global and technological business complex of the 21st century. ”
UT Tyler’s growth includes a new College of Engineering and Computer Science building and the first on-campus residence hall‚ which opened in fall 2006.
Boasting a rich history in Tyler since 1894 is Texas College‚ a historically black institution offering 14 bachelor’s degree programs to more than 750 students.
“We’ve been around a long time‚ and we are a vital part of this community‚” notes Jacqueline Paddio‚ Texas College dean of students. “As far as what we hang our hat on‚ we have produced some of the best teachers in the country.”
The new Teach to Reach program certifies holders of bachelor’s degrees at an accelerated rate for classroom teaching. Another novel initiative‚ the Success Program‚ is a degree program in business administration “for those who have had to discontinue their formal education to meet life’s unexpected challenges‚” Paddio says.
A third higher-education option is Tyler Junior College‚ with an annual enrollment of approximately 12‚000 students. Boasting an impressive campus that rivals many four-year colleges‚ TJC serves multiple needs‚ offering certificate options‚ associate’s degrees‚ distance learning‚ specialized workforce training and preparation for bachelor’s degrees.
One of the first junior colleges in Texas to provide distance learning‚ TJC offers telecourses‚ Internet courses‚ programs at high schools and instruction through a statewide consortium called Virtual College of Texas.
Through the School of Continuing Studies‚ TJC is a key economic development player‚ offering custom instruction for existing and new employers.
“We’re certainly ready to provide training to help get the workforce up to speed‚” says Fred Peters‚ TJC director of marketing and public information.
Story by Sharon H. Fitzgerald
Photo by Antony Boshier
