Galveston College

800 WINS?! That's our Coach Raines. 😎🏆

Congratulations to Head Coach Kelly Raines on earning her 800th career victory this semester - a milestone achieved by only a rare group of college softball coaches.

Coach Raines reached the historic mark on April 8 as the Whitecaps battled to a thrilling 3-2 extra-inning victory over Coastal Bend before finishing the season with an impressive 39-17 record and bringing her career total to 810 wins.

Under Coach Raines’ leadership, the Whitecaps continue building a championship culture:
🏆 3 conference championships
🥎 1 regional title
⭐ NJCAA National Tournament appearance in 2024
🔥 17-game winning streak this season
📈 Fourth consecutive postseason appearance
💪 174 wins at GC since 2022

Join us in congratulating Coach Raines and the entire Whitecaps softball family on an unforgettable run!👏

Which Gen-Z marketing should be our official new slogan?? We're leaning on slide 3...

But seriously, come to Galveston College - we're a community college that helps EVERY generation meet their education goals 🎓

Congratulations to the graduates of Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy Cadet Class #16(D)! 👮‍♂️

On May 27, we celebrated 19 dedicated cadets as they officially completed their training and took the next step toward careers committed to protecting and serving their communities.

Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and members of the law enforcement community, these graduates were recognized for the hard work, discipline, and perseverance that brought them to this milestone moment.

Thank you to Assistant Chief Andre Mitchell for sharing words of encouragement as these future officers prepare to begin their careers in public service.

Please join us in congratulating the graduates of LEA Cadet Class #16(D) as they begin this next chapter of leadership and service.🎓💙

BIG opportunities are on the horizon for future maritime professionals at Galveston College! ⚓💸

Thanks to a new $40,000 endowment established by Galveston Wharves, students pursuing maritime-related degrees and technical certifications will have additional scholarship support as they prepare for careers in one of our region’s most important industries.

From logistics and supply chain management to welding and ship fitting, this investment helps open doors for students while strengthening the future workforce of Galveston and the Gulf Coast.

Thank you to the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees and the many bicentennial sponsors whose support made this possible!

Curious about how to take advantage as a GC student? Send an email to [email protected]!

🌪️ Hurricane Season Starts Now, GC — Are You Ready?

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, and for coastal communities like Galveston, preparation starts before a storm appears on the radar. Even with forecasts suggesting a quieter season, officials emphasize that it only takes one storm to make an impact.

✅ Build Your Emergency Kit
Pack enough supplies for at least 3–7 days:
• Water and nonperishable food
• Flashlights + extra batteries
• Medications and first aid supplies
• Phone chargers and portable batteries
• Important documents in waterproof bags
• Pet supplies if needed

📍 Know Your Evacuation Plan
Galveston residents and students should know:
• Your evacuation zone
• Multiple routes off the island
• Where you would stay if evacuation orders are issued
• Transportation plans if you don’t have a vehicle

📱 Stay Connected
Don’t rely on one source. Follow weather updates, emergency alerts, and college communications across multiple platforms. Officials recommend having several ways to receive warnings. Galveston College will always send out communications ASAP when our campus schedule is being impacted by weather.

🏠 Prepare Your Space Early
Secure outdoor items, trim trees, charge devices ahead of storms, and avoid waiting until stores run low on supplies. Preparing now helps avoid last-minute rushes.

⚠️ Remember: Water Is Often the Biggest Risk
Storm surge and flooding can be more dangerous than wind, especially in coastal communities. Never drive through flooded roads.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and most importantly — stay safe, Whitecaps. 💙

🥎 Seven Whitecaps earned All-Conference and All-Region honors following an impressive 2026 season that saw Galveston College softball advance to the NJCAA Division I Region 14 Tournament for the fourth consecutive year!

Congratulations to Cassidy Bank, Jadyn Struxness, Andrea Tagovailoa, Paeden Vincik, Gabriella Zulfekar, Amiya Villanueva and Alayna Davis on their well-deserved recognition and outstanding performances this season. 👏

The Whitecaps wrapped up the year with a 39-17 record, a 17-game win streak, a Top 20 ranking during the season and another regional tournament appearance.
We’re proud of everything this team accomplished on and off the field. 💙🧡

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Outstanding Dual Credit honorees, Jesse Alexander and Peggy O’Neal! 👏

Jesse, a 17-year-old home-schooled Dual Credit student, was recognized for his outstanding academic achievement and dedication to learning. With dreams of earning a doctorate in astrophysics and pursuing a career in research or engineering, Jesse is already reaching for the stars. 🌟

Peggy O’Neal, an instructor in Galveston College’s Continuing Education Department, was honored for her years of impactful teaching and commitment to student success. Her passion for helping students discover their purpose continues to inspire future healthcare professionals and beyond.

Join us in celebrating these incredible Whitecaps! For more information on our innovative Dual Credit program, visit gc.edu/dual-credit🌊

Earlier this May, TRIO Upward Bound seniors were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments at the Ball High School Scholarship Award Ceremony. 🎓✨

Students received one or more scholarships and will continue their educational journeys this fall at institutions including the University of St. Thomas, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, University of Texas, Baylor University, Columbia University, Texas Southern University, and Galveston College.

We are incredibly proud of these students and excited to see all they accomplish in the future! 💙

📣Welcoming Dr. Tracee Watts as Galveston College's ninth President!

The Galveston Community College District Board of Regents unanimously voted on Wednesday, May 13, to appoint Dr. Tracee Watts as the ninth president of Galveston College. Dr. Watts will officially join the college on July 1, 2026.

With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Watts currently serves as senior vice president of Student Success and Advancement at Brazosport College, where she has led efforts in student success, enrollment management, marketing and communication, institutional advancement, dual enrollment and community partnerships.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Tracee Watts to the Whitecaps family! 💙

See a grad, tag a grad! 🎓

We'll be showing off 2026 GC grads walking the stage all month long, so if you see a friend/family member, make sure to tag them! You can also find the published album for GC graduation photos on gc.edu/graduation

We are endlessly proud of the class of 2026 - the BIGGEST class of graduates in GC history!

More grad pics coming all May long 🎓

Leadership starts here ✨

Congratulations to the newly elected 2026–2027 Galveston College Student Government Association officers! Your commitment to serving your fellow students and strengthening campus life helps make GC a better place for all.

We look forward to the impact you’ll make in the year ahead as you lead with purpose, passion, and Whitecaps pride. If you want to get involved in Student Activities for the next school year, reach out to [email protected].

Caps off to the Class of 2026! 🎓✨

Today we’re celebrating all of our graduates at Galveston College during our THREE ceremonies today, starting with a social spotlight on our amazing Sonography grads!

Congratulations to our future healthcare professionals and to every graduate crossing the stage today, we are so proud of you! 💙

Don't forget to or tag in all of your posts, stories and grad pictures - we'll repost anyone we find!

Family and friends, don’t forget to catch the livestream link on YouTube!

The Rotary Club of Galveston Island brought the spirit of community to the ballpark last week by providing meals for our Galveston College baseball and softball teams and their opponents! ⚾🥎

Their generosity turned game day into something even more special, reminding us that sports are about more than competition, they’re about connection, support, and showing up for one another.

Thank you to the Rotary Club for investing in our student-athletes and helping create such a welcoming experience for everyone on and off the field!

A special moment of recognition at this week’s Foundation Board meeting as we honored the two largest sponsors of Nunsense! 👏

Thank you to our Corporate Annual Sponsor, Hometown Bank, represented by Board Member Kyle McFatridge, and our Community Builder Sponsor, Paulie Gaido, for your generous support and commitment to Galveston College Foundation.

Foundation Board Chair Benji Shabot presented recognition plaques in appreciation of their partnership and dedication to helping make events like Nunsense possible.

We are grateful for community leaders who continue to invest in student success and the future of Galveston College!

Almost there, Class of 2026! 🎓🩺

Our Galveston College Nursing students are just one week away from graduation, and the finish line is in sight. After countless hours of studying, clinicals, and determination, they’re ready for the next chapter.

We’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to celebrate them next week! 💙

Beauty, talent and excellence were on full display ✨

We are proud to celebrate our Galveston College dual credit cosmetology students for their outstanding performance at the SkillsUSA State Competition. Out of 27 students who qualified, 23 attended and represented GC with creativity, leadership and professionalism.

Their achievements included:
✨ 20 Superior ratings
✨ 1 Excellent rating
✨ 1 Good rating
✨ 1 Best of Show award — the highest possible recognition

Their passion, hard work and artistry truly set them apart, and we couldn’t be more proud of all they accomplished. Congratulations to these future beauty industry professionals!👏

Galveston College proudly celebrated the graduation of our inaugural Tidal Waves Leadership cohort 🌊

Over eight months, 14 faculty and staff participants strengthened their leadership skills through hands-on learning, collaboration and capstone projects presented to college leadership.

We’re excited to see how this first cohort continues to make an impact across campus and beyond.

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Galveston College orgullosamente festeja la graduación del primer grupo de liderazgo, Tidal Waves.

Durante ocho meses, 14 participantes de la facultad y personal de GC fortalecieron sus habilidades de liderazgo a través del aprendizaje práctico, colaboración y proyectos finales que se presentaron al liderazgo de la institución.

Estamos emocionados de ver como este primer grupo continua generando impacto en todo el campus y más allá.

Galveston College is proud to celebrate President Dr. W. Myles Shelton on receiving the prestigious George E. Killian Award of Excellence from the NJCAA 👏

This national honor recognizes outstanding leadership, service and commitment to student success—and Dr. Shelton’s impact continues to shape GC and the broader collegiate community.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Shelton on this incredible achievement!

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Galveston College está orgulloso de celebrar al Dr. W. Myles Shelton, presidente de GC, por recibir el prestigioso Premio de Excelencia George E. Killian de la Asociación Nacional Deportiva de Colegios Universitarios (NJCAA, por sus siglas en inglés).

Este honor nacional reconoce el destacado liderazgo, servicio y compromiso al éxito estudiantil, y el impacto que sigue teniendo el Dr. Shelton para formar a GC y la comunidad de colegios universitarios.

¡Únanse a nosotros para felicitar al Dr. Shelton por este increíble logro!

A big moment for the future of the trades 🔧

Galveston College welcomed the next generation of skilled professionals during our recent NC3 Signing Day, celebrating Ball High welding students and graduating seniors committing to continue their journey in GC’s Welding Program.

From classroom to career, these students are taking the next step toward high-demand, hands-on careers—and we’re proud to be part of their path.

View the official recap on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/QROZgu7n2IY

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Un gran momento para el future de los oficios.🔧

Galveston College dio la bienvenida a la próxima generación de profesionales cualificados durante Nuestro reciente “NC3 Signing Day,” celebrando a los estudiantes de soldadura de la Preparatoria de Ball High y a los alumnus de último año que se comprometieron a continuar su trayectoria en el Programa de Soldadura de GC.

Del aula a la carrera profesional, estos estudiantes están dando el siguiente paso hacia profesiones practices y de alta demanda, nos enorgullece formar parte de su camino.

The Galveston Community College District Board of Regents has named Dr. Tracee Watts as the sole finalist for the position of Galveston College president.🌊

Following a national search, interviews and public forums, Dr. Watts brings more than 20 years of higher education experience and a strong commitment to student success and institutional excellence.

The Board is expected to vote on the appointment at its May 13 meeting. Stay tuned for updates.

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La Junta de Regentes del Distrito del Colegio Comunitario de Galveston ha nombrado la Dra. Tracee Watts como la única finalista para el puesto de presidenta de Galveston College.

Tras un proceso de búsqueda a nivel nacional, entrevistas y foros públicos, la Dra. Watts aporta más de 20 años de experiencia en la educación superior, así como un firme compromiso con el éxito estudiantil y excelencia institucional.

Se espera que la Junta de Regentes vote sobre el nombramiento en su próxima reunión del 13 de mayo. Manténganse atentos para más actualizaciones.

Galveston College EMS is making an impact beyond the classroom 🚑

The EMS Department was honored by University of Texas Medical Branch with an award for excellence in interprofessional education—recognizing their collaboration in coordinating two Disaster Day drills alongside UTMB and community partners.

These hands-on experiences prepare students for real-world emergency response while strengthening partnerships across our region. 👏

Big decisions ahead for Galveston College 👏

Join us on April 14, 2026 for public forums with our two presidential finalists, Tracee Watts, Ed.D. and Chris Sullivan, J.D.—and be part of shaping the future of GC!

📍 Seibel Wing | Main Campus
⏰ Watts: 8–9:30 a.m.
⏰ Sullivan: 3–4:30 p.m.

✔️ Open to the public
✔️ Attend in person or via Microsoft Teams
✔️ Share your feedback through a survey during each session

Your voice matters—students, faculty, staff, and community members are all encouraged to attend and participate in this important process.

🔗 Find Teams links + details at the Presidential Search website: https://gc.edu/presidential-search-2025/Public-Forums.php