Tulsa Community College is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in preparation for the big event, they’re recognizing 50 notable alumni, one a week until the big event.
Bama CEO Paula Marshall was the first TCC grad to be honored.
“I started loving education again when I went back to TCC,” Paula says. “I got professors I really liked and enjoyed, classes I really wanted to do. Whenever I got a new job at Bama, I would always take a class at TCC – computer class, data entry, R&D, food science. Whenever I was learning a new skill, I was able to find something I could learn or do or was drawn to at good old TCC.”
Paula graduated from Tulsa Community College in 1976 with a degree in business. At that time, TCC was still known as Tulsa Junior College, and it had only been around for seven years.
Since her graduation from TCC, Paula has gone on to be one of the most influential business leaders in the Tulsa area, and she’s one of the few women CEOs in the food industry. In addition to her degree from TCC, she’s also earned her PhD in commercial science from Oklahoma City University.
Under her leadership, Bama has been certified as a B corporation since September 2017, and all three of their manufacturing plants have AA certifications for food safety from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
“I can’t say enough about the way TCC set itself up as practical learning,” Paula says. “They’ve got people there that have practical skills and can help you with whatever problem you’re trying to address.
“It’s a very well-rounded school that provides well-rounded training. Not just a one-time deal. It’s a life-long learning institution.”
You can view Paula’s entire profile here as well as the other notable alumni TCC is honoring during this event.
Congratulations to Tulsa Community College on its 50th anniversary, and thank you for all you’ve done for education in the Tulsa community!