For immediate release - Feb. 27, 2006

(DALLAS) – Members of the board of trustees for the Dallas County Community College District, along with elected officials and community representatives, attended a special ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 16, to mark the future location of a new education campus for Pleasant Grove. A similar community education center is planned for west Dallas as part of the district's bond issue and building program that was passed almost two years ago. DCCCD is in the process of negotiating for property in west Dallas where the new location will be constructed; the site will be announced at a later date. 

The 2 p.m. Pleasant Grove sign unveiling gave DCCCD administrators – including Dr. Jesus “Jess” Carreon, the district’s chancellor; Jerry Prater, chair of DCCCD’s board of trustees; and the new president of Eastfield College, Carol Brown – an opportunity to share their vision for the facility, which represents one of five new community campuses that will provide easier access to higher education for either underserved or fast-growing populations in Dallas County. The new west Dallas community education campus will be affiliated with El Centro College.

In May 2004, Dallas County voters approved a $450 million bond program for the Dallas County Community College District; that facilities master plan includes new buildings on all campuses, plus the five new centers, with some expansions or safety/ADA upgrades throughout facilities within DCCCD. The community campuses – including the new west Dallas site – will offer credit and continuing education classes, plus services such as career development and workforce development programs.

“The purchase of land for our new education locations signals progress for both the Dallas County Community College District and communities like Pleasant Grove and west Dallas,” said Prater. “It represents an educational partnership that will help us enrich lives and build community.”

Carreon added, “We are very excited to launch our new education campuses; they represent access to education as well as community outreach by DCCCD. We look forward to working with local government; chambers of commerce; business, civic and community groups; and all citizens who believe that education is their foundation for future success.”

Since fall 2004, several realtors have researched locations for the new education sites. “Our goal is to select an area that will provide educational and career development opportunities for underserved people who will attend the new west Dallas location as students of El Centro College,” said Carreon.

Once the location in west Dallas is announced, a sign unveiling for local officials and community representatives will be scheduled, followed by a community forum during which DCCCD and El Centro College representatives will seek input from area residents, businesses and organizations concerning plans and services that the new facility will offer. Participants in the community forum then will be asked to volunteer as members of upcoming focus groups so that DCCCD can obtain additional information about their vision for the new education campus.

Other new sites will be located in these general areas: Garland, south Irving and Coppell (in addition to Pleasant Grove and west Dallas).

For more information, contact DCCCD’s office of the chancellor at (214) 860-2125.

Press contact: Ann Hatch, 214-860-2478