6th Annual Jesse Jones Leadership Award

Tyler Junior College is a Level II institution in East Texas with more than 12,000 students. The College's deep heritage dates back to its humble beginning in 1926 and only six presidents have served the institution. Current Chancellor and CEO Dr. Mike Metke is the sixth individual to have been at the helm of TJC, and he has served the College for 12 years.

Under Dr. Metke's leadership, Tyler Junior College has reached new heights in enrollment, fundraising, financial support, new construction, facilities, campus acreage, and community support. In addition, TJC has garnered numerous national awards including Achieving the Dream's Leader College designation and the Aspen lnstitute's Top 150 Colleges award. Numerous major initiatives were completed under his leadership, including the following:

• Achieved record enrollment with 12,270 students in Fall 2018, an increase of 17% over Fall 2007, Dr. Metke's first semester.

• In 2007, less than half of TJC's incoming students graduated high school with a B or better average. Today, over 70% of our students come to T JC with a B or better GPA.

• In 2007, only 2% of TJC's incoming students graduated high school with a distinguished diploma, and today 49% of our incoming students graduated with distinction from high school.

• Increased number of degree and certificate programs offered, from 96 in 2007 to more than 130 today.

• Enhanced employee benefits to include alternative retirement plan, employees/dependents prepaid tuition program, and improvements in wages.

• Revitalized Presidential Honors Program to attract more top 10% students and secured a $19 million gift to the College for Presidential Honors scholarships. The multi-million dollar gift is one of the largest donations to a community college in the nation.

• The first Promise Program in the state of Texas, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise/TJC Promise, was launched in 2016 in conjunction with long-time TJC supporters Jim and Margaret Perkins. Encourages students to earn good grades, have good attendance, maintain good behavior and participate in community service. More than 3,000 students are in the pipeline.

• Largest capital campaign, successful bond proposal, community partnerships. With state funding on the decline, secured necessary resources through capital campaign, bond election and with community partners to reduce debt and enhance facilities. Funded renovations; built the state-of­-the art Rogers Nursing and Health Sciences Center; purchased equipment; built Energy Center at TJC West; opened new locations in Rusk, Jacksonville and Lindale; built new Crossroads residence hall; and secured additional land for future expansion. Secured donation that wilI enable Wise Auditorium to be renovated and expanded into the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. TJC Foundation assets increased tenfold from $7.5 million to $75 million. Over 50 acres of land acquired to enable future growth and development.

• Secured legislative support and funding for TJC to begin offering baccalaureate degrees, and TJC became the first community college in Texas to offer a Bachelor of Science. TJC now offers two baccalaureate degrees and a third is planned.

• Dual Credit and Early College programs launched in dozens of schools in our area, enabling high school students to take college courses. Two Early College High School programs are enabling high-achieving students who would not otherwise have the means to take college classes the opportunity to take college classes and earn college degrees. Both programs create a college­ going culture for future educational success.