Since August 1977, Texas Intensive English Program (TIEP) Director Terry Simon, Ph.D., has called 1103 West 24th Street his work home. However, after more than 40 years of services to the organization, Dr. Simon has decided to hang up his TIEP hat and announce his retirement.
In a farewell letter to TIEC staff, Dr. Simon said, “Please know that I have greatly appreciated your steadfast support, professionalism, and commitment to the organization and to our students and other clients.” He continued, “We have always set very high standards for ourselves, accomplished much, and persevered. And our clients and colleagues appreciate our efforts.”
According to TIEC President and CEO Robin Lerner, Dr. Simon’s guidance and dedication to global education will be greatly missed.
“It is not often you find someone willing to dedicate their life to the work of the same organization for more than 40 years,” Lerner said. “TIEC feels exceedingly honored to have benefited from Dr. Simon’s leadership and expertise for as long as we have, and we wish him the best in his retirement. We will certainly miss him.”
From changing student demographics over 40 years, the merger with TIEC in 1992, the digitization of education, to the growth of social media and online marketing, Dr. Simon has witnessed the evolution of the program and English language instruction firsthand.
The program has served more than 30,000 students from 131 countries who have come to TIEP to strengthen their English skills and to learn about the people, culture, and customs of the United States.
“Former students keep dropping by to reminisce and tell us how much they value their experience at TIEP and how much they appreciate all we did for them,” Dr. Simon said. “Just last week a former student from Mexico who studied with us in 1980 stopped by to do just that, and to request an application form for his nephew.”
Dr. Simon’s last day with the organization is April 13.