In September 2016, Tyler Junior College received a $1.18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create an Educational Opportunity Center.
The new TJC Educational Opportunity Center is located on the TJC West Campus and employs four people to provide services to more than 1,000 participants per year. The center offers college and vocational guidance to adults who may not otherwise quickly decipher the steps needed for vocational or college admissions and continued success through completion of a vocational program or college graduation.
An open house for center will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, in Room 158 on the TJC West Campus, located at 1530 SSW Loop 323 in Tyler.
TJC was one of only 35 first-time recipients nationwide to receive this federally funded grant. The selection process for the EOC grant was very competitive as only 143 of 376 eligible proposals were funded, said Brad Gifford, TJC TRIO project director.
The grant is a five-year award to TJC, in the amount of $235,999 per year for a total of $1,179,995 over the entire grant cycle. The grant will serve a four-county area including Smith, Cherokee, Van Zandt and Wood counties.
“Current research indicates that by the year 2020, approximately 65 percent of all jobs will require some type of postsecondary education. TJC seeks to be in the forefront of efforts to increase the access to and availability of a college education in our East Texas community,” said Dr. Tam Nannen, TJC assistant vice president for academic affairs.
“Over its five-year lifespan, the EOC grant will provide necessary funding to facilitate the matriculation of thousands of local students into college programs of study.”
The EOC program will provide advising and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education as well as services to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants. An important objective of the program is to advise participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the application process.
For more information, go to www.tjc.edu/eoc.