Tech Prep Postsecondary Counselor of the Year 2009, Richard Kirk, Texas State Technical College

February, 2009
The 2009 Tech Prep Postsecondary Counselor of the Year is RICHARD KIRK, Director of Student Success, Texas State Technical College. He can typically be found in his office as early as 6 a.m., doing his part to provide assistance to students and help them bridge the gap from middle school to high school to college. He works hard, and leads others under his supervision to work hard, to help students make good decisions about their future. Once they arrive at the college, he works passionately to retain students, striving to help them stay in school, complete their courses, and graduate with degrees in their chosen fields. This fine man is an individual many students visit during the day seeking assistance—and he works hard to help them. He has a personal library of books that he lends to students who cannot afford to buy them. And for students who wind up on academic probation, he works closely with them, helping them to get back on track and recommence their education. He also coordinates several mentoring programs, both on and off campus.