Western Texas College

I can’t imagine a more exciting and productive year in the history of Western Texas College. It started with record enrollment and ended with a men’s rodeo national championship. And there was plenty in between.

WTC was honored to be named the “fastest growing community college in the State of Texas” for the biennium ending in the spring of 2009. The Texas Higher Coordinating Board stats showed Western Texas College grew a remarkable 28.8 percent, or a full five points ahead of the nearest college. There are 50 community colleges in Texas. The college’s commitment to bringing back a strong workforce department and groundbreaking partnerships with the Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater and Snyder ISD are primarily responsible for the remarkable growth. Also, WTC’s past strategic planning that made the college a leader in Internet instruction has paid considerable dividends.

The growth led the college to take five months to study our future path. The unveiling of a five-year strategic plan gives WTC a prescriptive roadmap on how it can continue to grow and benefit Snyder and Scurry County. One of the prime projects announced is a proposed $5-million dollar Rodeo/Ag complex on the Coliseum grounds to entice more tourism and economic growth. The formula is not unique. The college has used it to quadruple the number of events scheduled for the Coliseum since gaining ownership in the spring of 2008. Since taking over the facility, the college has focused resources on a total renovation and a renewed marketing plan to attract meetings, concerts and festivals to the community.