Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College, received the 2024 Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer Award by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Friday evening, Oct. 25, during the annual ACCT Awards Gala in Seattle, Washington.
The award honors the nation’s top leader of a technical or community college.
ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who serve on over 500 governing boards of community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
In August, Ponce learned she had received ACCT’s 2024 Chief Executive Officer of the Year Award for the Western Region, which includes all community and technical colleges in the Western states. She was one of five chief executives in the running for the national award.
“I am honored to receive the Association of Community College Trustee’s 2024 Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Award. This award is a reflection of the dedicated faculty, staff and administrators we have at Temple College who are making a difference in students’ lives each day,” Ponce said. “At Temple College, we are also blessed with a Board of Trustees that champions student success and supports us as we innovate and evolve to meet the needs of the students we serve throughout Central Texas.
“We continue to expand and grow our enrollment and increase the number of the programs and credentials we offer. We are adding new buildings and site locations as we expand to build for the future. None of this happens without the steadfast dedication and hard work of the amazing team we have at Temple College. I’m truly grateful to work alongside such talented individuals who care so much about students and helping advance opportunities available at Temple College,” Ponce said.
During her tenure, Ponce, along with an administrative team that she calls her “Dream Team,” spearheaded innovative changes to the college by introducing new high-value programs and modernizing facilities to support community growth and address shortages in health care and high-tech fields, including making significant advancements in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce training. They have expanded efforts in Texas and Rural Pathways to address post-secondary outcomes.
Ponce was recognized at the ACCT gala for leading with a student-success lens and empowering others to reach new heights. The Temple College team has implemented Caring Campus, eight-week course redesign and launched a Center for Teaching and Learning. Temple College has also been successful in raising millions of dollars to advance student success and implement innovation and new technology for the communities they serve.
“Community Colleges and technical colleges are integral to the future of post-secondary and higher education in the United States,” Ponce said. “As leaders, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to do all we can to build innovative academic and workforce programs to equip millions of students across the nation for successful careers.”
Temple College Board of Trustees Chair Lydia Santibañez-Farrell and Vice Chair Larry Wilkerson attended the gala and witnessed Dr. Ponce win the award. They said the moment was a testament to the president’s leadership and the Temple College team of administrators, faculty and staff.
“Our sincere congratulations to Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College, for being named CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees, which includes all community and technical colleges around the country,” Santibañez-Farrell said on behalf of the Board of Trustees. “We are so excited and proud of Dr. Ponce receiving this prestigious and deserving award for her tireless commitment and dedication to the success of our students, to innovative programs that have resulted in millions of dollars awarded and applied to new programs, new facilities and new opportunities. She is dedicated to creating new resources to help build a strong workforce pipeline, increasing transfer opportunities, and advancing completion efforts at Temple College.
“Dr. Ponce was also recognized for her many contributions and collaborative efforts in building strong partnerships with our community, state and national partners,” Santibañez-Farrell said. “We are truly blessed with her leadership, her deep care for the individuals with whom she serves, and her commitment to advancing student success. This is a big deal for our community because it spotlights the incredible work happening at Temple College because of our president, our administrators, our faculty and our staff. We are excited to begin our centennial with continued momentum.”
ACCT’s Awards recognize the contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities.
“Community colleges are uniquely committed to making high-quality higher education accessible to all people, serving as gateways to meaningful careers and continuing education for many,” said 2023-24 ACCT Board of Directors Chair and Hawkeye Community College Board Chair Jay Nardini. “This year’s regional awardees represent the most outstanding people and programs across this great nation.”
“Identifying and recognizing outstanding community college leaders is a highlight of our year,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “The 2024 awardees are among the most dedicated we have seen, reflecting our colleges’ tireless commitment to helping students succeed. It is a privilege for all of us at ACCT to be able to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible people and programs at community colleges. Congratulations to all of this year’s awards recipients.”
Learn more about ACCT and see a full list of award winners at acct.org.
About Temple College
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto, Taylor and Rockdale, offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 98 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.