TITLE: Congratulating Dr. Bill Coppola on his retirement as president of Tarrant County College Southeast Campus.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Dr. Bill Coppola on his retirement as president of Tarrant County College Southeast Campus.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Bill Coppola is retiring as president of Tarrant County College Southeast Campus on January 31, 2024, after four decades in higher education and 12 years with TCC; and WHEREAS, Dr. Coppola began his career in 1984, when he accepted a position at the Dallas County Community College District; over the course of 15 years, he played an instrumental role in developing and implementing the college's video technology program; he also served on the faculty at North Lake College for 12 years, and he went on to hold a number of administrative positions, culminating in his service as dean of technical education; he later joined the Maricopa Community College District at Phoenix College, where he served as senior associate dean of instruction and director of the City Colleges Center; and WHEREAS, In 2002, Dr. Coppola became dean of instruction, computer information, and applied technology at the North Harris Campus in the Lone Star College System; he subsequently transferred to the Kingwood Campus, and he served as executive director of academic partnerships and initiatives before becoming vice president of instruction and chief academic officer; he took on his current role as the second president of Tarrant County College Southeast Campus in 2012, and under his able leadership, the campus won the prestigious Eduardo J. Padron Award for Institutional Transformation in 2021; and WHEREAS, Dr. Coppola has been active in numerous civic and professional organizations, including the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Board, the City of Arlington Transportation Advisory Committee, the Fort Worth Mayor's Council on Education and Workforce Development, the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Structured Pathways, the National Alliance of Community & Technical Colleges, and the Higher Education Research and Development Institute; he is also founding chair of the Arlington Mayor's Education Coalition, and he has served as vice chair of Campus Compact; and WHEREAS, Among his many accolades, Dr. Coppola has received multiple awards in recognition of his contributions to the field of education; he holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University as well as a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of North Texas; and WHEREAS, Dr. Bill Coppola has led the TCC Southeast Campus with tremendous vision, energy, and dedication, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career well spent as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Bill Coppola on his retirement as president of Tarrant County College Southeast Campus and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Coppola as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Turner Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 37 was adopted by the House on November 17, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House