Eagle Experience Day helped students take the first step toward their futures

By david_morris on Sat, 07/11/2026 - 23:00
  • Central Texas College team members Lacriesha Wills and Erica Burton review the campus map with prospective students before escorting them to academic departments during Eagle Experience Day
    Central Texas College team members Lacriesha Wills and Erica Burton review the campus map with prospective students before escorting them to academic departments during Eagle Experience Day
  • Central Texas College Student Ambassador Chadwick Kirkland leads prospective students on a campus tour during Eagle Experience Day, introducing visitors to academic programs and student resources
    Central Texas College Student Ambassador Chadwick Kirkland leads prospective students on a campus tour during Eagle Experience Day, introducing visitors to academic programs and student resources
  • Central Texas College Graphics and Printing Instructor Bobbi Waddle demonstrates screen printing, a heat press, a Kolex cutter and 3D printing equipment during Eagle Experience Day, giving prospective students a firsthand look at hands-on learning opportunities.
    Central Texas College Graphics and Printing Instructor Bobbi Waddle demonstrates screen printing, a heat press, a Kolex cutter and 3D printing equipment during Eagle Experience Day, giving prospective students a firsthand look at hands-on learning opportunities.

    By Wendy Sledd

    Special to Leader-Press

     

    KILLEEN - When Talia Martin arrived at Central Texas College's Eagle Experience Day, she was looking for a place to begin her college journey without leaving behind the stability she had built close to home. By the end of the event, she had enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester.

    "I chose CTC because I felt like I didn't want to go directly into a university and I knew if I went straight into a university that I might lose my mind," Martin said. "I felt that by staying close where I have my house, my vehicle... I'd be more secure."

    Martin chose her specific career path, enrolling in classes to work in a field in which she is passionate.

    "I want to major in psychology because I want to work with children," she said. "I'm still trying to decide what exactly, but I know I want a psychology degree."

    Martin was one of many prospective students and family members who attended Eagle Experience Day to explore academic programs, meet faculty and staff, tour campus and receive one-on-one assistance with admissions, advising, financial aid and registration. Like Martin, prospective student Niyah Kershaw also enrolled during the event.

    "I chose CTC due to the location and now being a newly military spouse, I'm looking to further my education," Kershaw said. "Everyone's willingness to help. They seem to give out a lot of good helpful information, a lot of contacts, so I feel like I will have a lot of support."

    Kershaw plans to study health sciences as she works toward becoming a medical assistant and eventually earning an EKG certification.

    Dr. Henry Covarrubias, dean of Enrollment Management, said Eagle Experience Day was designed to remove barriers that often keep students from pursuing higher education, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college.

    "I think for a lot of the students that are here today, just having conversations with them is important. We have a lot of first-gen(eration) students," Covarrubias said. "So, it's a way for us to really not just illuminate what that process looks like, but explain, ‘Hey, look, it's not as expensive as you may think.’"

    By bringing every step of the enrollment process together in one place, Covarrubias said students could ask questions, explore academic programs and gain confidence about their next steps.

    "We have reps here from that initial entry point in Recruitment and Outreach, all the way through Graduation," he said. "It's a way for us to demystify that process all under one roof and, at the same time, also engage in tours. It's not just enough to hear us and our academic partners talk about what it is we offer, but let us show you what it is that CTC offers."

    Enrollment remains open for the Fall 2026 semester, which begins Aug. 17. Students also may apply for more than $100,000 in scholarships available through the Central Texas College Foundation by July 31.