TCC Names 2014 TYPros Chair as Commencement Speaker

Isaac Rocha, a graduate of Tulsa Community College and the 2014 Tulsa’s Young Professionals’ chair, will deliver the keynote address at the 45th annual Tulsa Community College Commencement Ceremony. The event begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University, 7777 South Lewis in Tulsa.

TCC anticipates awarding a near-record setting number of degrees and certificates for 2014-2015. The College set the record with 2,797 degrees or certificates earned by students in 2012-2013. TCC is part of Complete College America, a national initiative designed to increase the number of Oklahomans who have college degrees by 2023, as prioritized by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. While still preliminary numbers, TCC expects to surpass this year’s Complete College America benchmark goal of 2,609 on its way to awarding 3,177 degrees and certificates by 2023.

Rocha’s personal journey and leadership expected to appeal to TCC graduates

At 31, Isaac Rocha may be one of the youngest college commencement speakers in the state of Oklahoma. And his age is part of his appeal. He is an accomplished young executive with Tulsa-based Bama Companies, Inc and was the 2014 chair of TYPros, an organization designed to attract and retain young talent in the Tulsa region.

“Through Isaac Rocha’s involvement in TYPros, he’s helped give a voice to Tulsa-area young professionals and helped create a thriving and engaging atmosphere for recent college graduates,” said TCC President and CEO Leigh B. Goodson, Ph.D. “I believe our graduates will see themselves reflected in Isaac Rocha – a young man who has faced many challenges, overcome many obstacles, paid for his education himself and, ultimately, went on to graduate from TCC and OSU.”

He works as the Community Relations & Development Officer for Bama, an innovator of wholesome bakery products that cater to the needs of the largest and most well-known restaurant chains on the planet. He strategically helps align their philanthropic giving, government affairs, inclusion initiatives and community impact.

Rocha currently serves on the boards of the Oklahoma State Chamber, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Mental Health Association Oklahoma, and Workforce Tulsa and serves on the YWCA-Tulsa advisory board. He is a past board member of the Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa CARES and the Tulsa Community Foundation.

He has been actively involved, currently and in the past, with many non-profits and is on the Advisory Council for the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance and the Leadership Council for Tulsa's STRIVE Initiative -"Impact!Tulsa".

Isaac recently graduated from Leadership Oklahoma class XXVIII and has been recognized for his community achievements by the following organizations: Journal Record, Achievers under 40; Tulsa Business and Legal News, Tulsa 40; the 2014 Spirit of Philanthropy Winner by the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the Lt. Governor's, 30 under 30; and Oklahoma Magazine’s, 40 Under 40.