NTCC 40th Anniversary

Celebrating the Past. Empowering the Future.

Northeast Texas Community College is excited to celebrate 40 years of learning, growth, and community impact. Since opening our doors in 1985, NTCC has transformed thousands of lives and helped shape the future of Northeast Texas.

Throughout this special anniversary year, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories, honoring milestones, and hosting events to recognize the people who make NTCC extraordinary.

Check back here for updates on events, news, and ways you can join the celebration. Together, we’ll honor our past and look forward to the next 40 years of opportunity and success!

Celebrating the Past, Empowering the Future!

NTCC Stories

My NTCC Story: James Heary

Even before being hired, just talking to different people felt like home. Once I was hired, it felt even more so—people listened to my ideas. We worked together to mend relationships between plant services and others. My time here has been nothing but special...
My NTCC Story: Laurencio "Junior" Velasquez

My name is Laurencio Velazquez Jr. from Mount Vernon, TX, but you may call me Junior. While attending MVHS, I was honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club Motivational Scholarship to NTCC. At the time, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to graduate from college — so much so that I chose not to purchase a high school ring, saving that milestone for college...
My NTCC Story: Chad Elledge

I graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1988. At that time, students in the top 10% of their class were given the incredible opportunity to attend NTCC tuition-free until they completed an associate’s degree. My parents encouraged me to take advantage of this, especially since I had a vision condition that brought financial and medical challenges for my family. Though I was initially frustrated—since many of my friends were heading straight to four-year universities—I agreed to visit NTCC...
My NTCC Story: Jason Moss

My name is Jason Moss I graduated from MPISD in 1998. At the time, I didn’t know where I wanted to go or what fields I might be interested in studying. My counselor told me I could apply for the MPISD scholarship at NTCC and suggested I write a one-page essay and submit it. I had never really been to a college campus before, and that opportunity led me to choose NTCC to begin my journey...
My NTCC Story: April Brannon

My journey with NTCC began as a dual credit student at Chapel Hill. After graduation, I took a few general education classes before stepping away for a short time. In 2011, I returned with a clear goal in mind—pursuing my AAS in Medical Assisting. From the moment I started the program, I knew I had found the right path. The instructors were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely supportive, always invested in our success as students...
My NTCC Story: Dr. Jackie Johnston

Growing up as the youngest of four girls in a family where higher education wasn’t the norm, I never imagined I’d one day hold a doctorate and teach college-level mathematics. My father had a sixth-grade education, and my mother a high school diploma. We didn’t have the financial means or the knowledge of how to navigate college. But I knew I wanted more...
My NTCC Story: Cali Davis

I started here as a dual-credit and then full-time teaching student. I completed my AAT and transferred to TAMUT. After I completed my undergraduate degree and taught grade school for a little while, I found that my family needed better benefits than the public school system could offer. Enter NTCC (again :)...