Fourth and Final Student Success Center at TCC Dedicated

The dedication of the new Herman and Kate Kaiser Student Success Center on the TCC Northeast Campus was celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Funded by a $2 million gift from the Ruth Nelson Family Foundation and a $1 million gift from the Herman G. Kaiser Foundation, this marks the fourth and final Student Success Center on each of the main campuses.

Designed to remove barriers, the new facility helps individuals navigate the college experience through increased student services in a way that is not confusing or intimidating. At the same time, it revolutionizes the student experience with space dedicated at the Kaiser Student Success Center for Academic Advising, Bursar, Career Services, Financial Aid, TRIO-Student Support Services, University Transfer Center, and Wellness Services.

“Not only is the Student Success Center the front door to our campus, but it is the starting place and represents the ongoing process to ensure students stay on track to complete their educational goals,” said Dr. Leigh Goodson, TCC president & CEO. “An added benefit of these Centers is our ability to deliver what students expect, which are services accessible virtually and in-person and by appointment and drop-in.”

The Student Success Centers help meet students where they are, which is critical since nearly one in three TCC students are the first in their family to attend college and roughly 45% are from underserved or underrepresented communities.

More than a physical structure, the Student Success Centers are an evolution in how TCC supports students from the first encounter to graduating or transferring.

“This is about starting college with the end in mind and about getting the student to the workforce, whether directly through one of the Work Ready programs or through transfer to a four-year university and on to a bachelor’s degree,” said TCC Regent Wes Mitchell. “This is intentional work to ensure the greater Tulsa area has the trained workforce it needs.”

The Herman and Kate Kaiser Student Success Center on the TCC Northeast Campus is the third center to be funded with gifts from private donors. Those funds were pledged through the $20 million Clearing the Pathway: The Campaign for Completion.

“Our students succeed, thanks in part, to the investment from our community,” says Kari Shults, vice president for advancement and president of the TCC Foundation. “Through generous giving by residents and philanthropic organizations, the successful $20 million campaign helps produce a skilled workforce and drive economic growth. TCC is fortunate to have such wonderful community support.”

The Tandy Student Success Center on the Metro Campus opened in summer 2022 and the Hardesty Student Success Center at West Campus was dedicated in Oct. 2021. The College opened the first Student Success and Career Center at the Southeast Campus in Aug. 2019 with the help of the Vision Tulsa package approved by Tulsa County voters.