$2,500 Donation from Express Employment Professionals Supports Student Emergency Fund at TC

Katie Andrus, Joey Martin, Elaine Christenson, Courtney Shoalmire, and Brandon Washington

Joey Martin, the owner of Express Employment Professionals, presented a $2,500 check to the Texarkana College Foundation to be used for the Student Emergency Fund. The fund was started by Joey and Jamie Martin in August 2018 with an initial donation of $5,000 and is used to help low-income students weather financial emergencies. The Student Emergency Fund has received additional donations from community members and has issued grants to 27 students in the past year.

Workforce and nursing students can apply for small grants to help cover expenses just beyond their means, which allows them to better focus on successful course completion. These emergency grants will cover those types of critical expenses, such as utility shut-off, car repairs or medical bills.

“Texarkana College and the Foundation fully realize our students have personal and financial issues that may keep them from completing their degree or even the current semester,” said Brandon Washington, TC Dean of Workforce. “Joey Martin recognized this need and stepped up to help our students. The success of this program has exceeded my expectations and has changed the course for these students.”

“We understand the financial barriers that can prevent a student from continuing their education and are pleased to help bridge this gap,” said Martin. “We know that helping local students complete a higher education degree or certificate is the key to future success for our community.”

Students experiencing financial emergencies may apply for an emergency grant of up to $300 by contacting the office of the Dean of Workforce or the Dean of Health Sciences. Qualified expenses will be paid within 48 hours of an approved application. Students also will be referred to additional campus, community and financial literacy resources to supplement the grants, address root causes or contributing factors to the financial emergencies, and further support students’ persistence.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Katie Andrus, TC Foundation Director, at Katie.Andrus@texarkanacollege.edu or call 903-823-3125.