Highlights from the February TCC Board of Regents Meeting

The TCC Board of Regents met last Thursday on the TCC West Campus for its February meeting.

Among the highlights were presentations of the College’s new Common Book program and comments from one of TCC’s political science faculty members who had the opportunity to attend last month’s Impeachment trial in Washington, D.C.

Sandra Rana, TCC assistant professor of political science, shared some of her Impeachment trial experiences, as well as gratitude to Senator James Lankford’s office for providing the opportunity and to the College for allowing her to attend. She returned invigorated by the visit, and she’s looking forward to sharing her insights with her classes.

“It’s a revalidation of everything we teach them in class,” says Rana.

Cindy Shanks, TCC dean of engaged learning, Dr. Lori Coggins, TCC assistant professor and coordinator of the Common Book program, and TCC student Brian Glory presented on TCC’s Common Book program, which just completed its first year as part of the College’s curriculum.

Last year’s book, Redeployment, was written by Phil Klay and contained 12 short stories focused on themes of trauma, adjustment, freedom and other significant humanities themes intended to promote understanding of veterans’ experiences. Redeployment received the National Book Award for Fiction in 2014.

“Common Book programs are aimed at enhancing the humanities in community colleges, and are most successful when combined with other high-impact practices,” says Shanks. “We wanted to enhance our students’ sense of civic responsibility and to strengthen their empathetic capacities.”

Glory, a 14-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, read the book as part of his ENGL 1213 - Composition II class.

“The veteran students I know, we were able to network with other students and create a common ground,” says Glory. “We helped the professor with the terms civilians don’t know and were able to talk about all the writing. I think this type of education is relevant in today’s society, because not only does it give the college student perspective about what we went through as vets, but gives them an idea of what they might do in the future.”