S E P T E M B E R - O C T O B E R
2 0 1 5
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
TC Celebrates
Hispanic Heritage
Month
2
Texas College
QEP
3
Tobacco– Free
Grant Award
4
JAMP Returns to
Texas College
4
New Hires &
Reassignments
4
2015-2016
Student Leadership
4
Ever evolving, Texas College is an institution that was founded to educate disenfranchised slaves. Over 121
years later, the College has grown to become a melting pot of students from various ethnicities servicing a
little over 100 students that make up approximately 13% of the school’s overall student demographic.
Led by the College’s Spanish Club, a month-long celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month,
September 15th-October 15th will share the contributions of the Latino culture throughout the campus
community during this time of national recognition. Paloma Bermudez, a senior Criminal Justice major,
serves as the club’s president was excited about the opportunity to bring a little of home to her peers. “We
enjoyed partnering with the Office of Student Affairs to expand the programs and education regarding Latino
culture,” she states.
The month-long observance packed with various activities and educable moments shine light on traditions
that are paramount to Hispanic heritage. The Spanish Club plans to host movie screenings, lyceums
programs and symposiums, arts and crafts workshops, Zumba fitness classes, and folkloric and salsa
dancing session. A culmination of Hispanic Heritage Month will occur Wednesday, October 14th. The
closing program will feature students from Tyler ISD’s Dogan Middle School and Griffin Elementary School,
who performed musical selections. However, it was the Mariachi Voces de Mexico that will bring the crowd to
their feet as they played Latino folkloric melodies.
SCAN WITH YOUR
SMARTPHONE TO VISIT
www.texascollege.edu
On-campus, residential students, returned to the 2015 Fall Semester
with newly renovated residence halls. Not only did the interiors of Daniel (male) and Fair (female) Halls receive a “facelift,” each room including the lobby visitation areas are filled with new furnishings. Laundry
facilities are now available on each floor for more accessibility.
Refurbished restroom and shower facilities were brought up-to-date.
JOIN US ON OUR
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS
Texas College Steers
The College looks forward to bringing the newly constructed residence
hall online for student occupation at the beginning of the Spring 2016
Semester. This structure will expand on-campus housing with an additional 214 beds
PAGE 2
TEXAS COLLEGE
PROFESSOR PUBLISHED IN
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
Dr. Bassey Akpan, Division of
Natural and Computational
Sciences Chair and Professor of
Computer Science recently had
two of his peer-reviewed articles
published in the International
Journal of Information and
Computer Science (IJICS) on July 2015.
The articles entitled “Industrial Perspectives on
the Impact of Object-Oriented Programming for
Software Development” and “The Benefits of
Object-oriented Methodology for Software
Development.” His works assessed the impact
of object oriented programming on the quality
and reusability of software development while
the other article investigated the relationship
between the object-oriented programming
approach and software productive productivity at
business organizations.
The two articles may be reviewed by visiting
www.iji-cs.org.
COLLEGE RECEIVES
NUCLEAR SCIENCE GRANT
Texas College Administration is pleased to
announce that the College is the recipient of a
newly awarded grant in the amount of $440,000,
for the purpose of “Harvesting Nuclear
Scientists.” This student-focused initiative
proposes the college to do more in the sciences
and bettering preparing our scholar students in
the field of nuclear science. More will be shared
as the initiative of the grant unfolds.
The Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
requires that its member institutions develop a
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) in order to
be reaffirmed for accreditation at the
institution's decennial review. The QEP is a
document that recognizes key issues identified
by institutional assessment which focuses on
addressing an academic need for the
institution that would lead to an improved
performance of students. Furthermore, the
QEP must have measurable student learning
outcomes that are aimed at accomplishing the
institution's mission. Also, the institution must
both include a means of assessing its progress
and offer evidence that the college has the
capability of realizing its goals and proving its
capability to initiate, implement and complete
the QEP.
The Texas College QEP focuses on the
improvement of writing that:
 Includes a process identifying key
issues emerging from institutional
assessment;
 Focuses on learning outcomes and/or
the environment supporting student
learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution;
 Demonstrates institutional capability
for the implementation and completion
of the QEP;
 Includes broad-based participation of
institutional constituencies in the
dev el op me nt a nd p rop ose d
implementation of the QEP; and
 Identifies goals and a plan to assess
their achievement.
The QEP covers a five-year period (20152020), during which institutional assessments
will be conducted addressing students’
performances, to establish if learning
outcomes leading to writing improvements are
being achieved. This action is in accordance
with Section 2.12 of the Core Requirements for
reaffirmation of accreditation by the
SACSCOC.
Texas College’s QEP topic is titled, TC! Don’t
Talk About It, Write About It, and focuses on
improving students’ writing skills through a
series of interventions that will eventually lead
to increased retention and graduation rates.
The identification of writing as a focus skill was
derived from the assessment of entering
freshman students’ competences and a series
of discussions with the faculty about identifying
challenges to students’ learning and academic
performances on the college level. A broadbased focus group, consisting of faculty,
academic support staff, and administrators,
was created to analyze data regarding
students’ writing skills.
Dr. Emmanuel Ngwang, Director of the QEP,
recently joined the staff to coordinate activities,
oversee college-wide
implementation of
the plan, coordinate assignments and
assessments, and develop a report pertaining to
the QEP. Dr. Ngwang joined Texas College
after serving as the Lead
Professor of English, Speech and Speech Communication at
Jarvis Christian College. His professional
higher education career spans nearly 30
years. During this time he has served Claflin
University, Mississippi Valley State University,
Kentucky State University, University of Yaoundé and
Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Ngwang began his collegiate education
pursuits at the University of Yaoundé where he
earned a Bachelors in English. He holds two
master’s degrees in: 1) English from Central
State University; and, 2) Criminal JusticeHomeland Security and Emergency
Management from Kaplan University. He
earned his Ph.D. in English after completing
his dissertation regarding the Survival and
Personal Identity in Arthur Miller’s Works from
Oklahoma State University.
A well-published author, Dr. Ngwang’s love for
writing can be found in over 13 published
works. He is also a sought-after consultant
whose conference literature materials have
been published 24 times.
PAGE 3
TEXAS COLLEGE WELCOMES
NEW FACULTY & STAFF
MEMBERS
Texas College is a recipient of the Tobacco Free HBCU Campus
Initiative grant awarded by American Legacy Foundation (ALF) as
an extension of the Truth Initiative...Inspiring Tobacco-Free Lives.
The Tobacco-Free HBCU Campus Program is a multiorganizational collaborative project that will support Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in developing and implementing a 100% comprehensive tobaccofree campus policy. Leading this initiative is Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin who joined
the ALF following a study proving that 6,100 colleges and university campuses across the nation did not
have a tobacco-free policy, The initiative aims to bring together invited HBCUs and provide them with funding, technical assistance and support as schools go tobacco-free. This first-of-its-kind effort will engage
HBCUs throughout the U.S. to address the important public health issue of tobacco consumption.
Leading the initiative for Texas College is Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Edgar Berry. “The American
Legacy Foundation’s Tobacco Free HBCU Campus Initiative is a movement that will promote positive
dialogue within our campus community. Dialogue and events will focus on healthy living that will in evidently
lead to strong more productive communities,” states Dr. Berry. Helping to move the initiative forward are Dr.
Tiffany Lloyd-Bullock, General Studies and Humanities Division Chair; Ms. Latrese Mass, Student Affairs
Administrative Assistant; Mr. Walter Mosley, Comptroller; and, Mr. Marquet Norfleet, Student Activities
Coordinator and Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
To fulfill our mission, new faculty and staff have
been added or reassigned. They are as follows:
Ms. Joyce Allen
Academic Affairs Assistant
Ms. Mizan Berhane
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Mr. Randy Butler
Admissions Counselor - Recruiter
Mr. Elijah Burwell
Admissions Counselor - Recruiter
Mrs. Clarice Cunningham
Library Clerk
Mr. Timothy Guthrie
Physical Plant/Maintenance
Mr. Marquez Hall
Residence Center Manager/Assistant Football Coach
Mr. Ricky Hayes
Athletic Trainer
Dr. Jennifer Jackson
Adjunct Instructor of Biology
Ms. Londie Lemons
Writing Center & Student Learning Center Coordinator
Dr. Ray McDonald
Associate Professor of Social Work
Mr. Richard Murphy
Texas College is currently a smoke-free campus due to a standing partnership with the City of Tyler and its
“Smoke-Free” ordinance. However, the Office of Student Affairs plans to host a series of events that will lead
to the education and, most importantly, the implementation of a tobacco-free “lifestyle” in this generation of
students.
Residence Center Manager/Head Track Coach
Dr. Emmanuel Ngwang
Assistant Professor of English
Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan
Mr. Grailyn Pratt
Residence Center Manager/Assistant Football Coach
Mrs. Peggy Roxbury
Coordinator of SUCCESS
Mrs. Mia Ruffin
Career Services & Student Learning Center Coordinator
Mr. Gregory Ruffin
Head Football Coach
Mr. Carl Scott
Director of Information Technology & Security
Mrs. Linda Simmons-Henry
Director of Library Services
The Division of Natural and Computational Science is For students chosen to participate in JAMP, provides
happy to welcome the Joint Admission Medical the following for student :
Program (JAMP) back to our campus. JAMP is a
 Support through undergraduate scholarships
special program created by the State of Texas
and summer stipends
Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified,

Placement into JAMP Summer Internship
economically disadvantaged Texas resident students
experiences
pursuing a medical education. Students are immersed

Hands-on experience through clinical
in a rigorous program with enhanced instruction
enrichment opportunities
geared toward preparing them to pass the Medical
 Comprehensive, multi-phase MCAT preparation
College Admission Test (MCAT). On average each
program
student will receive approximately $100,000 of train Personal and professional development through
ing on top of their regular class schedule.
dedicated mentoring
Funded through the Texas Higher Education
 Guaranteed admission to a participating Texas
Coordinating Board, JAMP is a unique partnership
medical school if all criteria are met
between all nine Texas medical schools and sixty Scholarships to attend medical school
seven public and private four-year undergraduate
institutions. Since 2003, JAMP has been helping For more information about JAMP, please contact the
Texas students achieve their dreams with guaranteed Office of Academic Affairs at 903.593.8311, ext. 2342.
admission to one of the state's nine medical schools.
The program not only offers financial and academic
support to help them get there but access to
resources that allow them to excel.
Mr. Sam Smith
Residence Center Manager/Assistant Football Coach
Mr. Stanley Stubbs
Head Baseball Coach/Assistant Football Coach
Mr. Demarcus Taylor
Physical Plant/Maintenance
Ms. Felicia Thomas
Secretary/Office Manager—Physical Plant
Mr. Shaquille Thomas
Sports Information Director/Assistant Baseball Coach
Mr. Micah Tirop
Instructor of Physical Education & Health
Head Cross Country Coach
Dr. Kenneth Usongu
Associate Professor of English
Mr. E.J. Valentine
Strength & Conditioning Coach/Assistant Football Coach
Mr. John Walton
Physical Plant/Maintenance
Mrs. Griselda Zamarron
Housekeeper
Reassignment congratulations go to:
Ms. Geraldine Harrison
Residence Center Manager
Mr. Anthony Parker
Director of Physical Plant
Ms. Wanda Williams
Director of Residential Life
MEET THE NEWLY ELECTED
STUDENT LEADERS
The following are students were
chosen by their peers to represent
class interests in the 2015-2016
Student Government Association.
Deja Porter
SGA President
Paloma Bermudez
Miss Texas College
Umario Abu
SGA Vice President
Breanna Henry
SGA Secretary
TaShari Simmons
SGA Treasurer
Taylor Pierce
SGA Parliamentarian
Ashton Rosebud
SGA Chaplain
Danny Johnson
Senior Class President
Terrance Washington
Junior Class President
Corianna Adams
Sophomore Class President
Willie Woods
Freshman Class President
Nigel Mayfield
Junior Class Vice President
Jataria Taylor
Junior Class Treasurer
Oluwa Kemi Oshaleke
Freshman Class Vice President
As the demographics of Texas
College continues to evolve, so is
the student leadership of the
oldest higher education institution
in Tyler, Texas. Students and a
panel of judges selected Paloma
Bermudez as Miss Texas
College for the 2015-2016
academic term. Bermudez is the
first Hispanic Miss Texas College representative in
the institution’s history. Over the past three years,
the College’s Hispanic student population averages
at 11.7% and shows growth annually.
Miss Paloma Bermudez is a junior, criminal justice
major from Brownsville, TX. She aspires to become
an attorney following graduation from Texas
College. Bermudez ran a campaign centered on
diversity and inclusion of students of multiple
ethnicities. A smiling face on campus, Bermudez is
well liked by many who cross her path.
Paloma is the proud daughter of Francisco and
Blanca Bermudez. She was introduced to Texas
College in 2006 when her brothers pursued their
degrees while playing on the men’s soccer team.
“Attending Texas College only seemed natural; TC
has become a family tradition,” stated Bermudez in
a recent interview. An athlete in her own right,
Paloma is the Captain of the Lady Steers Soccer
Team. She is also President of the Spanish Club
and AVID peer tutor. She has been recognized as
an Honor Roll Scholar for her 3.7 cumulative GPA
for the past three semesters. Her demonstration of
academic excellence led to her selection as a 2015
LEGACY Scholarship recipient.
In her down time, Paloma enjoys spending time with
her family, working on her family’s farm and staying
fit. When we ask our new queen what she believes
in, she simply states, “I believe in my heavenly
Father, God, and that all things are possible through
Him and with Him.”
DeSoto, Texas native, Deja Porter
is a senior in interdisciplinary
studies (education) with a concentration in English, Language Arts,
and Reading who will serve as the
Student Government Association
President for the 2015-2016
academic term. She is a multi-year
Honor Roll Scholar who has earned a 3.27
cumulative GPA. She is the daughter of Darrell and
Barbara Porter; she has two siblings and a three
year old son.
During her time at Texas College, Porter has been
involved with various campus organizations like
NCNW (National Council of Negro Women) and the
S.T.E.E.R. Student Activities Committee. She has
also held several leadership roles including:
Sophomore Class Vice President, Social Work Club
Secretary, Pre-Alumni Council Vice President, and
SGA Vice President.
For two consecutive years, Porter has participated in
the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program
sponsored by Texas State Senator Royce West
where she was elected as an officer in the
Leadership Team serving as a Leadership Representative and Special Events Coordinator. UNCF
Dallas often calls on Porter to serve as a student
ambassador, sharing her story at the scholarship
organization’s annual fundraising gala and other
events. When Deja is away from her school-related
events, she has also worked for the Park South
YMCA as a Teen Camp Resource Coordinator.
While Ms. Porter was a freshman, a professor at
Texas College told her, "There are three types of
people in this world, those who make things
happen, those who wish to make things happen,
and those that wonder what happened." This
statement has carried her throughout her college
career, and was the push she needed in order to
make her mark while attending Texas College.