Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College, presented the “State of the College” address Wednesday to the Temple Chamber of Commerce’s annual Public Policy Council Luncheon.
More than 150 people, including state, city and business leaders, packed the conference center at the Hilton Garden Inn to learn about the present and the future of the College, which will celebrate its centennial in 2026.
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Key points in the president’s speech were dedicated to the College’s:
- Continued expansion of academic, certificate and workforce programs to meet industry needs
- Current and future construction of four new buildings and a major renovation on campus
- Year-after-year increases in academic student enrollment
- Enrollment increases in workforce, continuing education, and adult education and literacy programs
- Increased numbers of corporate partnerships in health care and workforce development
- Promising future of its dual credit, Texas Bioscience Institute (TBI) and Early College programs
- Launch of the Building for the Future capital campaign
- Increases in community outreach, including a new Adopt-A-School program, Preview Day, Open House, athletics and arts events, and the launch of the new Mobile Go Center
“There’s never been a more exciting time to be a Temple College Leopard,” Ponce said. “There are tons of great things happening on our campuses. Enrollment continues to grow. We are building more and more programs to meet the needs of employers in our region. We are partnering with companies and health care organizations to create more opportunities for our students. We are always creating new workforce programs and initiatives to help our students move into their careers.”
Ponce shared architectural renderings and spoke at length about the construction projects happening on the campus, including a new Temple College Main Building, Arts and Workforce Building, and Campus Services Center. A new Health Sciences Building and renovations to the existing Health Sciences Center will soon be underway. The vast construction projects are the result of a $124.9 million passed by Temple voters in 2021.
“We are so thankful to the voters for giving us this opportunity,” the president said. “These buildings and facilities are not only changing the face of the campus, they will help us change the life trajectories for tens of thousands of future students.”
The new facilities, Ponce said, will be a catalyst to continue to increase enrollment and provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment to prepare them to move directly into their careers or transfer to four-year universities.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto and Taylor, offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 98 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.