Katie Billeaud
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
WACO, Texas—When Katie Billeaud enrolled at McLennan Community College, she knew she wanted to transfer her basic courses into a bachelor’s degree program at one of the six schools that make up MCC’s University Center. When she chose Tarleton State University, she didn’t know there’d be a party.
That celebration took place today, recognizing that Katie’s registration pushed Tarleton’s Waco single-semester enrollment to 1,000 students.
Tarleton’s march to 1,000 began when MCC invited the university to Waco 15 years ago to provide greater access to state-supported undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Today, Tarleton-Waco offers more than 30 degree opportunities as part of the MCC University Center, with a total spring enrollment of 1,012.
“Tarleton and MCC are great schools,” Katie said. “Together, they provide an opportunity for students to earn an affordable degree from a major four-year university without leaving the community. Their partnership is a marriage made in academic heaven.”
Reflecting on MCC’s invitation in 2002, Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio applauded the college’s commitment to providing a quality, accessible education to a diverse population.
“Thanks to the forward thinking that created MCC’s University Center, the Waco area is poised to meet ever-growing educational and workforce demands,” he said. “When families and companies consider a move to Central Texas, they ask about educational opportunities. MCC, its University Center and Tarleton-Waco are the perfect answer.”
“McLennan Community College is privileged to host Tarleton State University on its campus,” said MCC President Johnette McKown. “Tarleton has made a difference in the lives of the citizens of our community, providing affordable, flexible degrees that lead to meaningful careers in such areas as social work, education, criminal justice, business and more. We are grateful for Tarleton’s commitment to a more educated Waco.”
Katie could have picked any one of the six universities at MCC’s University Center to earn her undergraduate degree, but there was more than one reason to choose Tarleton. Her father, Tommy Billeaud, and grandmother, Sue Colclasure, topped the list, and one-on-one help from MCC and Tarleton academic advisors sealed the deal.
“MCC Advisor Stanley Mitchell sold me on Tarleton,” Katie said, “and convinced my dad that it was the best choice for me. Mandolen Mull, with Tarleton, took me under her wing before she ever met me, helping me enroll online in time to start classes. She genuinely cares about the students she advises. Without these two, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
After Katie’s dad—a business computing teacher and athletic trainer at China Spring High School where she graduated—visited with Stanley Mitchell, he knew the family was destined to have three Tarleton Texans. Grandmother Sue graduated from Tarleton in 1980 with a bachelor’s in sociology. Cousin Brittany Landreth completed her basic courses at MCC—like Katie—and finished at Tarleton in 2013, earning an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies.
“We’ve created a family legacy,” Sue said of Katie’s enrollment. “Today’s celebration is truly the icing on the cake. I’m proud of Katie and Brittany. They chose well and, together, we bleed purple.”
Katie enrolled at MCC in spring 2014 as a general studies student, simultaneously taking classes at Tarleton-Waco through the college’s University Center. She’ll graduate this December with a bachelor’s degree in applied science and either turn her part-time job with a financial services company into full-time employment or look for an opportunity to teach high school math and coach volleyball.
“This is a great day for me, Tarleton and for MCC and its University Center,” Katie said. “Everyone loves a party.”
About Tarleton State University
Tarleton, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
About McLennan Community College
The mission of McLennan Community College is to engage, educate and enrich its community, by providing pathways through excellent transfer and workforce degree options. The University Center at MCC develops partnerships with distinguished universities—such as Tarleton State University—to bring bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree options in their entirety to Waco.
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A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
