Since its founding in 1970, Tulsa Community College has served as a hub for student organizations, community involvement, and activism, both on and off campus. Established in response to a growing need for public higher education, the college has fostered a wide range of student engagement opportunities.
Many organizations representing special interests, including TCC Pride, Learn Empower Achieve, and the African American Student Association (AASA), are available for students to join. AASA promotes pride, academic excellence, leadership and cultural awareness among individuals of African descent while creating leadership opportunities through campus activities and community engagement.
AASA was first established in the late 1980s at the Northeast Campus under the name “Association of Collegiate,” founded by Rebecca Marks-Jimerson, who also served as its first adviser. In the mid-1990s, the organization expanded to the Metro Campus as the “Afro Student Alliance,” led by adviser Enora Bailey.
By the late 1990s, a Southeast Campus chapter was formed under adviser Tonya Kimbell. The West Campus chapter was later established in the mid-2010s by advisers Kym Daniels and Nikki Givens. Over the years, AASA has been shaped by the leadership of dedicated advisers who have contributed to its growth and impact.
One of those advisers is Dr. Dewayne Dickens, who began working with AASA in Spring 2002 at the Metro Campus as a co-adviser alongside Geneva Reed. Dickens, senior director for Community and Learning, has remained committed to mentoring students for more than two decades. Reflecting on his experience, Dickens said his proudest moment has been “seeing students come back and give back to the community.”
He also highlighted several signature AASA events, including the Gospel Festival, the Stomp Fest show featuring fraternities and sororities, and leadership development trips across the country. Students interested in serving as officers — including president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary — can join the organization’s leadership board by attending weekly meetings, which vary by campus.
Former AASA officer Jeremy Briggs said the organization played a significant role in his personal and professional development. Briggs joined AASA in 2017 after receiving an email from Dickens while attending the Metro Campus. He later served as vice president and Student Government liaison while majoring in electrical engineering and simultaneously serving in the Army.
“AASA was instrumental in shaping the person I am today,” Briggs said. “Events like ‘A Night in Africa’ and Black History Month celebrations stood out the most to me and made me excited to be involved. It was an expansive journey. I learned a lot about culture and community, and I built relationships that have lasted beyond college.”
Since its founding, Tulsa Community College has supported organizations like AASA that promote leadership, celebrate cultural heritage, and foster a sense of community. Over the past four decades, the African American Student Association has established a legacy within the college and continues to impact students across its campuses.
