Flower Mound officials were treated to a tour and briefing at the North Central Texas College (NCTC) Flower Mound Campus on Feb. 6.
The tour was hosted by NCTC Foundation Board Members and NCTC officials, who provided information about the programs, services, and future plans for the community college that opened its doors in January 2011 in Parker Square.
Dr. Eddie Hadlock, NCTC President, said that NCTC has been serving southern Denton County since the 1970’s, with the earliest classes at Lewisville High School, and later at Marcus High School. He discussed various workforce training programs for nursing, emergency medical services, surgical technolgy, computer information technology, and business management. Many local high school students also earn college credit from NCTC by taking dual credit courses while still in high school.
Jessica DeRoche, Director of the Flower Mound Campus shared student testimonials and how students are able to overcome barriers to attend college at NCTC. Many local students go on to other universities after attending NCTC or directly into the workforce with a skill, said DeRoche. She added that many students and families could not afford to attend college if it weren’t for the lower tuition at NCTC, which is about 25% of UNT and TWU.
Debbie Sharp, Vice President of Advancement, informed the group that the NCTC Foundation provides scholarships to local students to obtain their educational goals. NCTC has been fortunate to receive several Department of Labor grants to provide workforce training, she said. NCTC also works with local companies to develop customized workforce training for employees.
“NCTC has a great story to tell and the community is not aware of all the educational opportunities and benefits available,” said Flower Mound Town Council member Jean Levenick, who encouraged NCTC to share its story at a televised Town Council Meeting,
Council member Steve Dixon said he was impressed with the Cisco Learning Lab and the impressive grants that NCTC has received from the Department of Labor to train individuals for information technology. NCTC also has a Matrix Allied Health Grant to provide short term and long term health care training opportunities.
Mayor Tom Hayden stressed that Workforce Development is an important part of Economic Development.
“If we are to attract and have high paying jobs in Flower Mound, companies must know that workforce training is available in the community. NCTC can be a valuable partner in bringing high quality economic development to Flower Mound,” said Hayden.
John Klaiber, FM NCTC Foundation President, pointed out that NCTC has an identity crises.
“The average person off the street in Flower Mound probably knows about Brookhaven College, but may not know anything about our very own community college,” said Klaiber. “We need to make the community aware of the important educational opportunities right here at NCTC.”
Jane Foster, FM Foundation Member said that demand is strong for the courses offered at NCTC.
“My son’s friend could only get two classes they wanted at NCTC in Flower Mound,” said Foster. “NCTC needs to grow to better serve the community. This is increasingly important in our economy, especially to parents that have several college age children”.
Town Manager Jimmy Stathatos said that he was interested in learning more about how NCTC was funded and how future growth of the college would be financed. Unlike most community college districts, NCTC does not currently have any local funding.
NCTC currently has around 1,800 students at the Flower Mound Campus and over 10,000 students system wide. The Flower Mound Campus is nearing capacity after just two years of operation.
“NCTC wants to be an important part of the Flower Mound community,” said Mark Glover, FM Foundation Vice President.
“We have tremendous opportunities in Flower Mound and NCTC wants to be a positive force in our growth.”
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