ALUMNUS, FORMER ATHLETE THANK BLINN FOR SUCCESS AS COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT

  

George Pollock’s English composition course at Blinn College proved a memorable experience for Dr. Paul Illich.

Now president of Southeast Community College (SCC) in Lincoln Nebraska, Illich came to the Blinn College – Brenham campus in 1983 from Houston on a cross country scholarship. He quickly realized that he would need to improve his writing skills to make it in Pollock’s class.

“Mr. Pollock was the first person who made it clear to me that I did not know how to write,” Illich said. “And all this time I thought I was a good writer. When you get a C and you’re proud of it, that really says something about the professor.”

Illich ran cross country for one year at Blinn before his academic aspirations surpassed his athletic goals.

“I really enjoyed being an athlete, but I became really interested in psychology and computer science,” he said. “I knew that if I wanted to be successful in those fields, I was going to have to really tailor my focus.”

In 1985, Illich earned his associate degree in psychology and transferred to Texas State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in computer science. He earned a master’s degree in experimental psychology and behavioral neuroscience from Texas A&M University in 1990 and a doctorate degree in 1993, also from Texas A&M.

Illich spent five years as a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston before taking a post in institutional research at McLennan Community College in Waco. He climbed the ranks to vice president of the college, then moved to Southeast Community College, where he has been president for almost a year.

“Blinn gave me the best foundation possible,” Illich said. “It really instilled in me the mission of the community college. It’s about having an open door and creating opportunities. My instructors at Blinn helped me realize that I had potential and it’s satisfying to offer that to the students at SCC.”

SCC encompasses three campuses and two off-site locations with more than 11,000 students. The college has six athletic programs and 50 academic program options to choose from, as well as degree, diploma and certificate options. Recently, the college began implementing its 2015-19 strategic plan with a focus on meeting student and employer demand for higher education.

“My time at Blinn has certainly played a role in getting me where I am today,” Illich said. “I am thankful to each of my instructors and the educational foundation they laid for me.”