Janie NeighborsHonorary Membership (2010) Dr. Janie Neighbors began her career in higher education in 1991, first as assistant registrar, and then as Registrar and Director of Admissions at North Central Texas College. Always up for a challenge, Janie left NCTC in September 1999 to join Weatherford College and take on the important responsibility of establishing a new extension campus in Decatur. To this day, the Vice President who selected her for this monumental task happily takes credit for his decision, proudly stating, "I was lucky and smart enough to be the one to hire Janie at Weatherford College." After building Weatherford's new campus "from scratch", with the help of her husband and handyman Jerry Neighbors, Janie served as Dean and Director of the Decatur Campus and later as its Dean of Institutional Effectiveness. Then, in April 2007, NCTC somehow managed to lure her back to the college where she started, offering her the position of Vice President of Financial Services. Janie views her 2007 career move as a bittersweet moment because although she enjoys her new role in the business side of the house, her departure from student services meant leaving TACRAO, an organization that she says "will always be near and dear to my heart." Ever since Janie won the first ever, official TACRAO Cowchip Chunking contest at her very first TACRAO meeting in Odessa, she has become dear to so many of us as well. Phil Ebensberger, a TACRAO Honorary Member, 2007 President's award recipient, and mentor to Janie over the years, states that Janie has "proven to be a credit to the profession, active and always anxious to provide that helping hand when needed." Another colleague recalls meeting Janie for the first time at a TACRAO session: "Her friendliness and gracious spirit immediately made me feel like I was part of the TACRAO 'family.' I was touched by her genuine interest in me, both professionally and personally." Janie graduated as Valedictorian from Valley View High School in 1973. She received an Associate of Science degree from North Central Texas College in 1974, and went on to earn Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Education degrees from the University of North Texas. In 1996, while working and raising a family, Janie completed her Doctor of Education degree at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Janie has been a dedicated member and leader in TACRAO, attending every annual meeting over a 16 year span. She has moderated and presented sessions, and served on numerous committees including Community and Technical College Issues, Local Arrangements, and Legislative Issues. Janie was appointed by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to serve on the Residency Committee in 1998 and served until 2007. As a member of the TACRAO Executive Committee, Janie first served as Secretary, and later as President Elect, President and Past President from 2006 - 2008. Janie resides on her family farm in Valley View, Texas, with Jerry, her husband of 37 years. (Coincidentally, it was on that farm that she honed her skills in the field of competitive cowchip tossing!) They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. In her little spare time, Janie helps Jerry with the farm, enjoys spending time with her grandkids, and is very active in her church. It's been said of Janie, that she "is one of those people who, if she tells you something, you can take it to the bank. Those people are rare, but she is that kind of person." Your TACRAO colleagues couldn't agree more. For your dedication, tireless service, and the countless contributions you've made to the association through the years, it gives me great pleasure to award Janie Neighbors honorary membership in TACRAO.
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