The Two-Year College English Association of Mississippi
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What is TYCAM?
We are the Two-Year College English Association of Mississippi, TYCAM, and are fashioned after and affiliated with TYCA-SE, the Two-Year College English Association, Southeast, which is a member of NCTE. Established forty-one years ago, TYCA-SE has ten states in its region. Mississippi's junior and community college teachers have an impressive record of leadership within TYCA-SE.
One of the hallmarks of TYCA-SE is the yearly conference. The conference for 2007 will be held in Jacksonville, Florida, on February 22-24 at the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront.
TYCAM also has yearly conferences hosted by at various community-college locations in Mississippi. These conferences have been generously supported by the State Board of Community and Junior Colleges and by the presidents.
Conferences for both organizations center around pedagogy and collegiality. Many find that the fellowship and sharing of ideas are invaluable both for sanity and for the exploration of effective classroom strategies.
How did TYCAM start?
For several years, Mississippi's hosting a regional conference was a hotly debated topic at regional conventions. Dr. Evelyn Webb, past Chair of TYCA-SE, was a full-time staff member at the State Board of Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC). In her capacity at the State Board, she was able to enlist the help of the presidents, and through their financial support, we hosted the 2005 TYCA-SE regional conference in Jackson.
English instructors from all over the state provided hospitality and presented seminars. Through this coordinated effort, we were able to host Morgan Freeman as a conference panelist.
TYCAM—initially conceived to facilitate our hosting a regional convention—grew from a good idea into a thriving state organization.
How do I become a member of TYCAM?
Come to a conference! Full-time and adjunct English faculty from any community or junior college who attend the conference are members.
Currently, there are no dues for members. Attending the conference allows cc/jc instructors to renew their annual membership.
What happens at a conference?
The emphasis of each conference is largely determined by the host college, but through its seminars, roundtables, and speakers, the conference always centers on improving teaching methods and fostering professional relationships.
This conference is hosted by different colleges—Hinds in 2003 and Holmes in 2004; Mississippi Gulf Coast (MGCC) had prepared a conference in 2005 but was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale graciously volunteered to host the delayed 2005 conference in January of 2006. And the tradition of excellence was continued in Tupelo when Northeast and Itawamba co-hosted a conference centered around articulation. We had five colleges/universities join us in this valuable dialogue.
Our official 2007 conference will be held in Wesson at Copiah-Lincoln Community College on September 7 and 8, 2007. An impressive line-up of speakers and seminars is being planned; more information will appear on the website soon.
