A Year in The Valley of Champions

May 6—Whether it's celebrating the TVCC Cardettes winning the National Open Pom Division, the Large Coed Cheer team placing first, or Student Government Association being named Chapter of the Year for the 17th time in the program's history, TVCC is consistently celebrating its students.

But on May 1, the school celebrated the champions' greatest support and leader: President Dr. Jason Morrison and the one-year anniversary in his role.

"The first year has been fast and furious," Morrison noted. "The vision has never been clearer: a pure and straightforward drive for excellence in everything we do and everyone we encounter and a complete and total advancement of the TVCC mindset."

During the past year, Morrison has enjoyed receiving an honorary key to the City of Athens, celebrating TVCC being named "Large Business of the Year" by the Athens Chamber of Commerce, challenging a few students to a welding competition, being inducted in the Texas Hall of Honor for New Presidents for the Texas Region of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, receiving the Paragon Award for New Presidents from PTK, and so much more.

"All the events come together and create that culture of success and winning," Morrison explained. "I cherish all of them. It all comes together as one big, amazing memory."

Not only has Dr. Morrison become a part of the culture that surrounds TVCC, but his family has too. His wife Stephanie Morrison can be found enjoying events on campus with students, cheering on her "Friends of the Cardinals" host students, or stepping in to host the weekly Cardinal Cast podcast. Brennan can be found jumping in to learn a cheer from the TVCC Cheer Team, repping a TVCC shirt to school, or on the sidelines cheering at athletic events with her friends.

Morrison mentioned that though he and his family are supporters of the TVCC, he emphasized the importance of the students, faculty and staff and how they affect the culture and environment of the college.

"My family and I are just a small part of it," he continued. "The students, staff and faculty are the ones who shaped the culture. I gave them all the opportunity to change the culture. If I did anything, I opened the doors for them to make changes they felt necessary."

Morrison noted that if he wasn't the college president, he would still have a hands-on approach to students and their needs and be their greatest support system.

"Our students need to know that people support them," Morrison said. "They need to know that people believe in them. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, but them knowing that someone is standing there, watching them and taking the time to support their endeavors will mean something.

He enjoys being able to support the students by cheering them on at athletic events, sitting in on music performances, watching them perform in a theatre production or stopping by the classroom to check on them."

"I am just genuinely interested in seeing the students succeed," Morrison commented. "It's fun watching them. Being there for our students shows we support that winning mindset. I mean, being on stage with the coaches and the TVCC Cardettes and their name getting announced was awesome. Being on the mat when the cheer team was announced was amazing. But it's just about being there and supporting them."

If you walk into the President's office, you will find a whiteboard with a quote from former football coach Nick Saban and the importance of a champion mindset.

"I have that quote on championship mentality on my wall because I am a firm believer in it," Morrison shared. "Whatever you do, just be a winner and champion at it. There's a winning mindset at this institution and that's our mantra. Win at everything you do whether it's academics or athletics."

Morrison noted that he emphasized the champion mindset during both successful and unsuccessful moments.

"When Steph and I are there it's like we are proud parents when we get to see them succeed, but sometimes you don't win," Morrison shared. "In those moments, we are there picking those young people up, having conversations with them to keep their heads up or what did we learn from this and reminding them they did their best. It's not just the excitement, it's also the moments where it doesn't go as planned and what we learn from those moments."

Overall, he wants TVCC students, staff and faculty to know and see how much he cares for them.

"My family and I live and breathe TVCC every single day," Morrison commented. "We love this environment. We love the students, staff, and faculty that we work with."

The past year has been a blur of exciting events and tackling challenges. But a special moment that sticks with Dr. Morrison is receiving the winning game ball from TVCC Head Coach Sherard Poteete after the football team defeated Snow College.

"That first football game when Coach Po gave me the game ball was pretty cool!" Morrison expressed. "It was the first game of the season and we upset Snow College with our win. And it was a big upset! But being out on the field and Coach Po giving me the game ball was pretty sweet. I mean you always see those moments in TV shows and clips after the game where the coach presents the game ball and it was like those moments but happening in real life."

Before Trinity Valley, Morrison's career included Instructor of Social Sciences at Black River Technical College, Dean of Arts and Science from Western Oklahoma State College, Dean of Instruction for Academic Education at Central Community College, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Carl Albert State College and Chancellor at Southern Arkansas University Tech.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Henderson State University. He received both his Masters of Arts in Political Science and Government and Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership from Arkansas State University.

In the upcoming year, he is excited to continue to watch the institution grow.

"Last year, we were taking over with the Cardinal Takeover, now we're at a point of takeoff," Morrison said. "We're taking over. We're transitioning the culture. We're creating a positive view and improving communications. We have a new funding formula and we have a good understanding of its impact on the institution. We're creating a new strategic plan. Now, it's time for us to take off and there's no stopping for us."

Morrison is not only ready to see the institution grow, but excited for future students to sign on to be a part of the champion mindset.

"You don't want to miss what TVCC can offer you," he expressed. "It's a culture and environment of winning. I don't think people understand how we can change their lives and how we can have a positive influence on their lives. The people are so caring and invested in our students. But, if you come here you are going to be a winner in life."