Putting Students First

Roxanne Jones, Instructor, Child and Youth Studies

A couple of years ago, I was helping a student register for classes. When we were finished, I asked if she had any other questions or concerns that I could help her with. She hesitated for a moment and then told me that she didn't think she would be able to buy her books.

I asked if she was on financial aid and she said yes, but last term she could not buy books for two of the four courses she registered for. Although financial aid covered all of her tuition, it did not cover all of the books she needed for her classes. So she bought what she could out of pocket and borrowed books from other students whenever possible. She ended up failing two of her courses that semester.

I was shocked to hear this and wondered how does this happen? I got her in touch with Financial Aid, who connected her with a counselor, and it looked like she was going to end up in the exact same situation, without money for books. Someone suggested I contacted TTC Foundation, which I did, and the next thing I know the student came by my office to let me know she had her books.

It turned out that she hadn’t filed her financial aid correctly and it was eventually straightened out. But in the meantime, the TTC Foundation was able to step in and provide funding so that she would be able to start her classes with all of her books.

I started giving to the TTC Foundation in 2010, right after I started worling at TTC, as a way to honor my grandmother. Although she only had an 8^th grade education, she and my grandfather were always reading. She had a deep effect on my love of learning and when I started college, she was one of my biggest cheerleaders. She inspired me to become an educator and I have been teaching for 25 years.

After my experience with that student, I knew that I needed to continue giving to the Foundation. I have always believed that, as educators, we need to put aside our own agendas and make sure that our students have the best possible learning experience. The programs of the Foundation are there to help students be successful, and by donating to the campus campaign, we are making a smart choice to put our students first.

Roxanne Jones
Instructor, Child and Youth Studies

2016 Campus Campaign Captain

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