In 2024, math instructor and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor Nancy Long marked a significant milestone as she celebrated 40 years of dedicated service at Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC).
In 2024, math instructor and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor Nancy Long marked a significant milestone as she celebrated 40 years of dedicated service at Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC).
Long joined TVCC after her tenure at Paris Junior College, quickly becoming a vital contributor to the academic and personal growth of countless students. Her journey began when she took on the role of division chair for the Math Department, effectively blending her passion for teaching with her commitment to student development.
Throughout her career, Long has embraced a hands-on approach, guiding students through their academic paths and encouraging them to excel while participating in community service initiatives through PTK. “The PTK students have become my kids over the years,” Long said. “Watching them grow and succeed has been one of the greatest joys of my career.”
Under Long’s leadership, TVCC’s PTK chapter has received numerous prestigious awards, reflecting the dedication and motivation she inspires in her students. Among these accolades are the Distinguished Chapter Award, the REACH Chapter of the Year, the Five Star Chapter of the Year, and the PTK Award of Merit for Honors in Action. “These awards aren’t easy to achieve,” Long remarked. “Students must conduct thorough research and put in significant effort to reach these milestones, and witnessing their success is incredibly gratifying.”
At the core of Long's career is her love for mathematics and the opportunity to teach it at the community college level. She values the personal connections she forms with her students, believing that community colleges play a crucial role in higher education. “Community colleges provide an essential foundation for students,” Long explained. “Data shared by CCSmart, a student-led initiative supporting community colleges, shows how these institutions prepare students for success at the university level. It’s remarkable to see the doors a community college education can open.”
Jenny Cooper, Professor of Math and Economics and Mathematics Division Chair, shared her reflections on Long as both a former student and current colleague. “Nancy Long is a force to be reckoned with, both now and when I was her student in the late '80s,” Cooper recalled. “Her energetic presence and passion for teaching made a lasting impression on me. Even now, as her colleague, I see the same inspiring qualities. She genuinely cares about her students and works tirelessly to help them succeed. I have immense admiration for Nancy and her commitment to education.”
As Long looks back on her 40 years at TVCC, her impact on the institution and its students is unmistakable. Through her dedication to academic excellence and her encouragement for students to aspire for greatness, she epitomizes the college’s mission of transforming lives through education.