Texarkana College Trustees name Anne Farris as Board Secretary

At today’s Texarkana College Board of Trustees meeting, Anne Farris was named secretary of the board to fill the vacant position previously held by Jane Daines. Farris, a DeKalb native, is in her second board term serving in Place 3 position. Board President Kyle Davis said Farris’ dedication to student success and unwavering commitment to progress makes her a natural fit as a board officer.

“Mrs. Farris sets the gold standard for education in Northeast Texas,” Davis said. “Her service to students who live in rural school districts is unmatched and is a vital part of Texarkana College’s mission. She serves as a role model for aspiring students to take every opportunity to earn a college credential and leave a legacy of progress.”

TC President Dr. Jason Smith said Farris brings invaluable insight to the TC Board.

“Mrs. Farris served as the first female superintendent of schools in DeKalb, and also in Bowie County history,” Smith said. “I am honored to have her as part of the leadership of our board, and l look forward to serving more students in Western Bowie County by expanding resources available to rural populations. Mrs. Farris’ has worked in many of the independent school

districts in which TC serves including Hooks, New Boston, Pleasant Grove, DeKalb, Atlanta, and Redwater, Texas. She is looked upon as a dependable and reliable source of leadership and knowledge. We are blessed by her service to TC.”

In other business, Trustees approved a motion today to request a substantive change from its accrediting agency to add the Barry B. Telford Unit as an off-campus training site. If approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), students at the site could earn 50% or more of their credits toward a specific college program beginning fall 2020.

Vice President of Instruction Dr. Donna McDaniel said three college programs would be offered at the site.

“TC plans to offer three certificate programs at the Telford Unit,” McDaniel said. “Programs will be taught as traditional, face-to-face classes and will include construction technology, electrical technology and welding.”

The Barry B. Telford Unit is a Texas state prison located in New Boston, Texas. Prison inmates are the primary target audience of the off-campus site. McDaniel said TC will need to add personnel and acquire equipment to offer the program.

“We will be hiring three to four new instructional personnel to teach at the unit and will have some initial equipment setup costs,” said McDaniel. “These costs to establish this off-site facility are expected to be covered by tuition and state formula funding.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, Trustees toured TC facilities to view progress on construction projects to meet ADA compliance standards and to modernize classrooms, labs, meeting spaces and restrooms. Trustees also visited the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing’s new B.R. Hughes Classroom and the TISD Aquatic Center.