Tyler Junior College has named Dr. Cliff Boucher as interim dean for TJC North, the College’s newest facility which will open this spring.
Boucher most recently served as TJC’s chair and professor for the Department of Life Sciences.
TJC North, located in The Cannery, Lindale’s new residential/entertainment/retail complex, is the result of collaborative work among the College, leaders from the city and surrounding areas, community stakeholders and business and industry representatives.
TJC North will provide the surrounding communities with access to general education classes, nursing programs and the recently launched Veterinary Technician Program. A grand opening event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 29.
“Dr. Cliff Boucher, who has been with the College since 2010, brings a vast amount of leadership and scholarly experience,” said Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.
“In addition to his leadership role as department chair, Dr. Boucher recently served as president of the Faculty Senate for the institution, and we had the opportunity to work together to promote the agenda of student and community success. He is highly respected, and I value what he brings to the team.”
As interim dean for TJC North, Dr. Boucher will report directly to Dr. Mejia and will be a key member of the Academic and Student Affairs Council.
In addition to TJC, Dr. Boucher has taught at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, University of Michigan, Harvard University Medical School and UT Tyler.
A TJC alumnus, Dr. Boucher received his bachelor's degree from Austin College in Sherman, received his doctorate from the University of Michigan and did his post-doctoral research fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Boucher will continue to serve as department chair for life sciences and veterinary technology.
His many honors include: “Commitment to Academic Excellence Award,” presented by The University of Texas at Tyler, 2005-2006; “Valuable Young Alumnus Award,” presented by Tyler Junior College, 2002; “Inventor Recognition,” presented by the University of Michigan for research titled, “Hyperacidification of Trans-Golgi Network and Endosomes in Cystic Fibrosis,” 2000.
TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said, “The TJC Board and I are committed to strengthening the partnerships that we have with our communities in the northern part of our region, and the creation of a dean position to lead this reaffirms our efforts to see this through. TJC North will focus on student and community success and promoting access to higher education throughout its service area.”
Dr. Boucher said, “I am humbled by this honor and look forward to leading TJC’s efforts in the northern part of the College’s service area.”
Both Dr. Metke and Dr. Mejia expressed appreciation to Dr. Aubrey Sharpe, TJC’s Dean for Continuing Studies, who initially helped the College expand its presence in Lindale. Dr. Sharpe will continue with his service as dean for Continuing Studies for the College and executive administrator for TJC West.
“It is exciting to see the vision of the TJC Board of Trustees and President Metke become a reality as we provide the students and communities who attend TJC North access to education of the finest quality,” Dr. Mejia said.
In the past 12 months, TJC has been recognized as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation, elevated from Level I to a Level II institution of higher learning in December 2016 and approved to offer bachelor’s degrees. Level II status means TJC has the same level of staff and procedures required of four-year institutions. The designation was made by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges, which provides accreditation for institutions of higher learning.
For more information, go to www.tjc.edu.