Who We are

Our Story & Mission

Transformative Learning Initiatives (TLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening education-to-business and education-to-community partnerships. 

The foundation of TLI’s approach to partnership development has its roots in the independent research conducted by Dr. Kevin Badgett - Sul Ross State University Dean of Education – and Mr. John Turcic, a multi-industry business development and marketing professional. Dr. Badgett’s work focused on the viewpoints of business owners and leaders regarding what characterizes a successful, meaningful, and mutually beneficial school-business partnership. Mr. Turcic’s efforts centered on the analyses of existing education-business partnerships, and the programs established to facilitate those partnerships.

Mr. Turcic combined the results of his research with his knowledge of the business world concepts of Strategic Account Management - a process at the organizational level that focuses on building and sustaining long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between a company and its key customers – resulting in the creation of the Education-to-Business Networking© tools, methodologies, and approaches.

Dr. Badgett and Mr. Turcic soon met, and discussed their individual work and partnership development research. There was a realization that Education-to-Business Networking© could provide a multi-faceted approach for “operationalizing” Dr. Badgett’s findings, Both men then decided to share their resources and experiences.

Over the subsequent years, program modifications were developed and implemented.  Today, TLI continues its work through collaborations and individual engagements, with workshops, consulting efforts, and related initiatives.