The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) announced the recipients of its annual Regional Awards for community college trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff members.
Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College, received the 2024 Chief Executive Officer of the Year Award for the Western Region, which includes all community and technical colleges in the Western states.
“I feel honored to be recognized by the Association of Community College Trustees,” Ponce said. “Our successes have been a true team effort. I have the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team of administrators, faculty and staff who pour their hearts into serving thousands of Temple College students each year. Their unyielding commitment to student success is always evident as we continue to grow in enrollment and programs, and as we continue to forecast and develop new programs to meet the needs of the communities we serve. We are also fortunate to have dedicated board members who champion student success efforts and do so much to support our growing community.”
“This is an exciting and proud moment for Temple College, and we are so excited to celebrate our successes as a community,” said Temple College Board of Trustees Chair Lydia Santibañez-Farrell. “Dr. Ponce is so deserving of this award, and we are proud to celebrate what Temple College has achieved under her tireless commitment and leadership in our community. Under her leadership, Temple College has been recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation.”
ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who serve on over 500 governing boards of community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
ACCT’s Regional Awards recognize the contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities. Dr. Ponce and four other regional CEO Award winners will also go on to compete for the national ACCT CEO of the Year Award.
“Community colleges serve countless needs throughout the country, from traditional higher education to workforce development, professional certifications and much more,” said ACCT Chair and Hawkeye Community College Trustee Jay Nardini. “The individuals and institutions selected to receive this important recognition are deeply committed to their communities and regions. They work every day to change lives for the better.”
“Countless unheralded heroes work tirelessly at ACCT’s member colleges,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on some of the nation’s most outstanding public servants and professionals through our regional awards program.”
Learn more about ACCT and see a full list of award winners at acct.org.
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.