Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence for students, staff, and faculty with the announcement of $2.5 million in campus-wide renovations.

“These renovations will not only uplift TVCC but also address much-needed repairs,” said TVCC President Dr. Jason Morrison. “We’ve been piecing things together, but it’s time for us to take a stand and move our campuses into a more modern and efficient state.”

At the July 29 Board of Trustees meeting, the board approved phase one of the Capital Reserve Projects. Upon his arrival, Dr. Morrison identified the urgent need for updates across the campuses.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, it was clear that our facilities needed attention,” Morrison explained. “Transitioning into this role, I quickly realized the scale of what needed to be done. It was overwhelming, but action was necessary. We must address how our Trinity Valley campuses present themselves.”

Renovations will take place across the Athens, Terrell, and Palestine campuses, including:

“These projects are focused on creating safe, inviting environments where students can learn, congregate, and feel a sense of belonging,” Morrison said.

The board’s approval of phase one follows closely on the heels of the $1 million renovation announced for the Fine Arts Building.

“Our Fine Arts Building was no longer a selling point,” Morrison noted. “Prospective students want to see facilities they can be proud of. When they take band, choir, or music classes, they should feel proud of their building. We want all our buildings to be points of pride for our students, and that wasn’t the case with the Fine Arts Building.”

Morrison expressed excitement over the positive feedback from students, staff, faculty, and alumni regarding the Fine Arts Building renovations.

“That building is home for a significant part of our students’ lives, and for our instructors who give their all to teach them,” he said. “Everything we’re doing is centered on providing the best environment for student learning and experience. I’m eager to hear their feedback, as this is all intended for them.”

While some renovations have begun, others, like the bathroom renovations in South Hall, are scheduled for summer 2025.

“The bathroom renovations in West Hall will start in May 2025, after the students have left for the summer,” Morrison noted. “Our goal is to have the bathrooms fully renovated and ready for the fall semester so incoming students can enjoy brand new, tiled bathrooms. This is part of our ongoing commitment to improving student living spaces.”

Several updates have already been made to West Hall to enhance student comfort.

“We’ve completed waterproofing, new flooring, lighting, paint, and window treatments,” Morrison said. “We’re also introducing new furniture through a rotation plan, updating dorm furniture every five years. Students spend a lot of time in their dorm rooms, so we’re focused on making these spaces as inviting and comfortable as possible.”

The plan is to complete phase one of the four- to five-year capital improvement project by late July 2025. Once phase one is finished, Morrison will seek the board’s approval for phase two.

“We’ll follow the same approval process as with this phase,” Morrison explained. “At the July 2025 board meeting, we’ll present our prioritized list of projects, which includes roofing and sidewalk replacements across all campuses.”

Morrison and Vice President of Operations Marcus McArthur are currently identifying the necessary repairs for phase two. The improvements will include a roof replacement at the Terrell Health Science Center. By phases four and five, Morrison hopes all essential renovations will be complete, allowing TVCC Operations to focus on preventative maintenance and program updates.

“We want to ensure all our programs are supported equitably and have the resources needed for success,” he added. “I’m also envisioning some ranch and rodeo improvements.”

Morrison is particularly excited about the new digital sign at the front of the Athens campus.

“That’s going to be so eye-catching!” he exclaimed.

As the renovations progress, Morrison looks forward to hearing the reactions of the TVCC community.

“Our goal is to make our campuses the most inviting places possible,” Morrison said. “We want students to be eager to attend classes and proud to be here. We’re committed to providing a great environment for current students and a desirable campus for potential students.