At the Regional Sites

TTU Leadership Visits Jefferson Location

By Jessica Thomas, Section Manager

On Aug. 3, the local community of Jefferson welcomed Texas Tech University eLearning & Academic Partnerships (TTU eLAP) leadership for a tour of the Jeffersonian Institute and roundtable discussion.

Some participants included Melanie Hart, Ph.D., vice provost for eLearning & Academic Partnerships; Clay Taylor, Ed.D., assistant vice provost for eLearning & Academic Partnerships; and their support leadership for Texas Tech University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (TTU OLLI), Texas Tech University K-12 (TTU K-12), The Office of Continuing and Professional Education, East-Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Rob Baker, mayor of Jefferson; along with local Jeffersonians.

During the visit, the groups discussed important initiatives for Texas Tech at Jefferson (TTU Jefferson) like continuing professional education opportunities, onsite professional development workshops, online career training, lifelong learning fieldtrips, stackable certificates, available funding resources through TWC, and compatible resources for local independent school districts.

Shelby Crews, director of TTU OLLI, reflected fondly upon the visit and looks forward to the programming this fall.

“I knew that Jefferson was a unique community that seemed to be a good fit for an OLLI TTU location. But I had no idea how rich the history was there; how friendly the people were and how welcoming they would be to lifelong learning,” said Crews. “I expect this location to grow very quickly in both membership and course ideas that would be of interest to other Jeffersonians and our OLLI members in other locations.”

The TTU eLAP leadership also toured local establishments like Bear Creek Smokehouse, Enoch's Stomp Vineyard & Winery and had the privilege of taking a boat tour of Caddo Lake, the one and only natural lake in Texas.

In addition to professional education and TTU OLLI, the TTU K-12 program offers many options for schools and districts, including print-based bulk and individual CBEs (Credit by Exam).

Jared Lay, the director of Recruitment and International Partnerships, believes the tight-knit community of Jefferson will provide great support for the TTU presence.

“Our goal is to provide resources and solutions, not to compete with the local ISDs,” Lay stated.

Texas Tech University strives to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for each-and-every student, no matter where they come from. Every Texas Tech satellite location provides its community with numerous opportunities to learn and grow. Texas Tech at Jefferson is no different.

TTU Jefferson brings non-academic, professional education and development as well as educational opportunities for the senior community and supplemental resources for K-12 students in addition to academic advising for eLearning students.

“When our visitors as well as the townspeople see those Texas Tech flags flying outside on Austin Street, they remark about how great it is to have an institution like Tech right here in Jefferson!” said Mayor Baker.

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