Texarkana College has been officially designated as a Caring Campus by the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), joining a select group of colleges nationwide recognized for cultivating a campus culture centered on care, engagement, and belonging.
Dr. Dixon Boyles, Vice President of Instruction, announced the designation as a milestone in TC’s mission to serve students not only academically but personally. “Starting out as a new college student can be an overwhelming experience,” Boyles said. “We are looking forward to providing our faculty and staff with strategies that give students a helping hand and a greater sense of belonging within our campus community.”
The Caring Campus Academy, sponsored by IEBC, is a national movement designed to strengthen student success by building authentic connections between students and college employees. Research consistently shows that students who feel known, welcomed, and supported are more likely to remain enrolled and complete their program of study.
For Texarkana College, that means expanding the ways faculty and staff engage with students both inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Tonja Mackey, Dean of Library and Academic Support, will serve as liaison for TC’s Caring Campus work. She emphasized that while TC already has a strong reputation for student support, this initiative brings added focus. “We know that small gestures like greeting a student warmly, walking them to the office they need, or simply being approachable can have a big impact,” Mackey said.
As part of the initiative, Texarkana College has identified five simple but powerful commitments that every employee can practice to create a welcoming culture. These include greeting students when they come within 10 feet, wearing name badges so students know who to approach with questions, learning about the services provided by other departments, walking students personally to the offices where they need help, and creating warm welcomes during the first week of classes with activities such as Watermelon Lunch and Bulldog Bash. Together, these practices reinforce the idea that every interaction matters and that a student’s success is shaped not only by academics but also by a sense of community.
At the center of Texarkana College’s Caring Campus effort is the TC Cares for You Committee, a group made up of staff members who interact with students daily such as advisors, tutors, financial aid specialists, library staff, and student services team members. Because these em-ployees understand student needs firsthand, they bring invaluable insight into the barriers students face and the actions that make a difference. Their involvement ensures the initiative is not just a policy but a live culture across campus. Mackey explained that these committee members are the driving force behind the effort. “They know the challenges students face and the support that makes them feel they belong. Their role is vital, because they bring the heart and the hands that turn ideas into action.”
The Caring Campus strategies will roll out this fall, supported by campus- wide training and events. Committee members are also laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability by incorporating the five commitments into Welcome Week traditions and ensuring new employees are trained in Caring Campus practices.
For students, the impact will be tangible. It may mean walking into a classroom where the professor greets them by name, stepping into the library where staff offer guidance, or receiving encouragement from an advisor who checks in regularly.
Texarkana College leaders emphasize that the Caring Campus designation is permanent and represents a long-term promise to students. “This is not just a one-year project,” Mackey said. “It’s a commitment to continually look for ways to make Texarkana College a place where every student feels they belong.”
For more information about the Caring Campus Academy and the Institute for Evidence-Based Change, visit iebcnow.org/ caring-campus.
