Tri-County Technical College 2023-2024 Annual Report

EMPOWERING Every JOURNEY

VISION

Passionate people transforming lives and building strong communities one student at a time.

COMMITMENTS

To Our Students: Provide a dynamic teaching and learning experience in which every student has an opportunity to grow, succeed and improve their quality of life.

To Our Employees: Cultivate a workplace that honors and promotes our values.

To Our Community: Serve as a solutions provider in meeting the workforce needs of the tri-county region.

MISSION

Tri-County Technical College provides students an exceptional and affordable learning experience that improves their quality of life. The College advances economic development in the tri-county region by preparing a highly skilled workforce.

ROLE AND SCOPE

VALUES

Integrity: We lead by example and are steadfast in upholding high ethical standards.

Respect: We engage with one another in a manner that promotes civility, trust, openness and understanding.

Learning: We promote a growth mindset and use what we learn to deliver a transformative experience for our students and employees.

Collaboration: We achieve more when we work together, especially when we bring diverse groups of people together to solve problems and generate change.

Innovation: We encourage creative ideas that lead to positive outcomes for our students, our employees and our community.

Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging where every individual feels welcome and valued.

Tri-County Technical College is a public, two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties in South Carolina.

As an open-door institution of higher education, the College offers affordable, accessible, collaborative and learner-centered instruction. Offerings include university transfer associate degree programs and applied technical associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in more than 70 majors associated with business, health, public service, and industrial and engineering technologies. The College also offers developmental courses for students who need to improve their basic academic skills as well as a variety of academic and support services.

The College promotes economic development in the tri-county region through customized education and training for local businesses and industries through credit and continuing education offerings and a variety of workforce training programs.

A Letter From THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Iam pleased to present to you our 2023-2024 annual report. The theme of this year’s report is “Empowering Every Journey,” which you will see illustrated in the student success stories we’ve chosen to highlight. Each story centers on a student and the person (or persons) who empowered them to stay on track and meet their academic and career goals.

You will also read about donors who are helping us to expand in-demand workforce programs, renovation projects happening on the Pendleton Campus, and recent awards and achievements.

One achievement that we are particularly proud of is the success of our transfer program with Clemson University. In the fall of 2023, the U.S. Department of Education released data that spotlights the two-year and four-year institutions with the highest bachelor’s degree completion rates for students who transfer between the two institutions. In South Carolina, the top performing institutions are TCTC and Clemson. In addition, Clemson and TCTC boast the highest bachelor’s degree completion rate in the nation for transfer students who receive federal financial aid. And that’s not all. TCTC remains the only college in the South Carolina Technical College System to meet and exceed all five performance metrics for student success.

There is a lot to celebrate, and these accomplishments would not be possible without you—our business and community partners, donors, elected officials, and friends—who support our faculty and staff in delivering exceptional learning experiences that improve students’ quality of life.

As John C. Maxwell once said, “teamwork makes the dream work.” Thank you for choosing to be a part of our team and for helping us advance our vision to transform lives and build strong communities one student at a time.

In your service,

Galen DeHay, Ph.D. President

Maritza Gaona Lopez’s

MENTORS

BECOME HER EXTENDED FAMILY

Jean Robinson, Maritza Gaona Lopez, Sue Baldwin and Don Baldwin

There are framed photographs of three influential individuals, Don and Sue Baldwin and Jean Robinson, all residents of Central, that Maritza Gaona Lopez displays in her living room at home. They are placed alongside photos of her parents, of her husband, Alex Onate, and their four-year old daughter, Camila.

“I consider Mr. Don, Mrs. Sue and Ms. Jean my family. They have influenced me in so many ways and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” said Gaona Lopez, resident care manager for assisted living at Clemson Downs.

She met them when she was a young girl after her family moved to the United States. She was seven years old and didn’t speak a word of English.

The previous year she had completed the first grade in Mexico but was placed back in the first grade to allow her to learn the English language through immersion. “Fortunately, I picked up the language and material very quickly,” she said. Her parents didn’t speak any English and she became their translator.

To improve her language skills and academic aptitude, Gaona Lopez and her brother, ESL students, joined a small weekly tutoring session held for Hispanic children every Tuesday after school. This partnership between Central First Baptist Church and a missionary offered this afterschool program for around 60 Hispanic children. Beginning in elementary school, she and her brother and their friends, Annayeli and Fernando, and others were bused from Central Elementary to the church where they would be tutored in various subjects by the Baldwins and Ms. Robinson, all retired engineers.

When the sessions at the church were discontinued two years later, the Baldwins and Ms. Robinson opened their home to continue these weekly tutoring classes throughout high school to prepare Gaona Lopez and others for college.

“They came to our home and we were deeply involved with the children and their education. Their parents were interested and wanted the best for their children. Education was a priority. We don’t have grandchildren, so Maritza became our granddaughter,” said Mrs. Baldwin.

By the time she was a senior at Daniel High School, she was the corp commander for ROTC and an honor graduate headed to college. She was the first in her family to achieve that distinction. “Mr. Don, Mrs. Sue and Ms. Jean helped me to get to college,” she said.

“When these kids graduated from high school and then from college, it was a huge accomplishment. They did it for themselves,” said Mrs. Baldwin.

Gaona Lopez attained DACA status, which allowed her to attend college and access critical benefits like financial aid. “My goal was always to go to college and be a nurse. DACA opened the door to go to college.”

She earned a scholarship to Southern Wesleyan University but because she wasn’t a U.S. citizen at that time (2013), she didn’t meet the guidelines and was disqualified. “I had a full ride but was ineligible for

the scholarship. I could still go to college, but I had to pay out-of-state tuition which wasn’t possible,” she said. That led her to TCTC where she enrolled at age 18 to pursue university transfer courses.

The Baldwins and Ms. Robinson, who had become her second family, saw that she was struggling to excel academically while maintaining two jobs and a full academic schedule. “They suggested if I would reduce my work hours and focus on school, they would pay the full tuition and books at TCTC. It was a life changer. I worked less hours and my grades rose,” she said.

“I continued to work and study hard. I was so appreciative. I couldn’t let them down. They have supported me through all my important life events—my high school graduation, TCTC nursing pinning ceremony and graduations, my wedding and my baby shower. For every big event in my life, they are always there. They are my extended family.”

While at TCTC, she earned a Certified Nursing Assistant credential and she earned both Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees. She transitioned to the Associate Degree Nursing program. She has been employed at Clemson Downs since 2015, beginning as a Certified Nurse Aide and later promoted to Medical Tech. After graduating from the Associate Degree Nursing program in May 2019, she was promoted to RN. In 2020, she attained U.S. citizenship.

“I love it here because I love the residents. To be here for them is so gratifying,” she said. In April, she was promoted again to resident care manager for assisted living. “I’m energized by our residents, some of whom are 97 and thriving.”

She returned to TCTC in the summer of 2022 to take more university transfer classes and again last fall with the families continuing to support her academic journey. She currently is enrolled in the BSN program at Clemson University and plans to graduate in December 2024.

She applied for a HRSA Go Mobile Scholarship for RN-BSN students at Clemson but initially wasn’t eligible because she wasn’t a Prisma Health employee. Later she received an email that they had extended the opportunity to individuals not working at Prisma Health. She was accepted. “Mrs. Sue was the first person I called to tell about the scholarship because she has been with me all the way. I wouldn’t be where I am without the Baldwins and Jean. My parents are equally as appreciative of them. They helped my brother and me beginning in elementary school. I think life would have been much harder and my success would have been slowed down if I hadn’t been fortunate enough to meet them and have them in my life,” she said.

“It feels good to be successful. I’ve worked hard and I am proud of myself. I am pursuing a BSN for me and for my daughter. I want her to know there are options. I never dreamed I would have a leadership role in health care. Every day I try to make a difference.”

Ms. Robinson said they will be at her Clemson graduation in December, cheering her on. “We are so proud. This relationship is for life.”

Kim Arnold and Shannan McKinney

Every morning for the past three years, Kim Arnold has had a standing “morning conference call” with her cousin/confidant Shannan McKinney while driving to their respective jobs. “We talk it out—it’s a good way to start the day,” said Arnold, who serves as vice president of operations and administration for the Urban League of the Upstate.

McKinney, who is director of operations/treatment director, Anderson and Oconee offices, at Anderson Oconee Behavioral Health Services, says they serve as sounding boards for each other, beginning by debriefing and prepping for the day’s events. Over the years they’ve discussed everything—“the good things and the bad things,” such as job promotions and job layoffs, family and the value of personal care, which became especially important this past summer as Arnold prepared to undergo a successful brain surgery for a non-cancerous brain tumor. “We have grown together over the years,” McKinney said, and “we complement each other.”

Arnold said the relationship has been a lifesaver as she has navigated various stages of her life which include a job layoff early in her career as a single parent, and two other brain surgeries for a recurring noncancerous tumor.

“She is resilient,” said Maria Morales, program and administrative assistant at the Urban League of the Upstate. “She also is the heart and soul of this organization. She likes to stay behind the scenes, and she does not give herself enough credit for the great work, the long hours and passion she dedicates to this organization. To her, she is simply doing what she loves.”

As the vice president of operations and administration at the Urban League of the Upstate, Arnold plays a crucial role in ensuring that the organization’s initiatives are effectively implemented across the 10 counties it serves. Arnold is responsible for overseeing the operations of the organization, ensuring that all programs and services run smoothly and efficiently in many of these counties.

Arnold said she never dreamed she would be in a leadership position. When she graduated from Pickens High School, she went straight into the workforce as an operator at the Ryobi plant in Pickens. “College was on my mind, but it wasn’t discussed at my home and wasn’t seen as a possibility,” said Arnold, who is the first in her immediate family to graduate from college.

At 20 she held down a full-time job as a single parent of a small son. She worked on the assembly line for six years before enrolling in TCTC. “I wanted a career, a job with a desk. I knew education was my way out. My friend and I agreed we both needed to go back to school.” They enrolled at TCTC in the evening Office Systems Technology (now Administrative Office Technology) program and attended classes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. four days a week while her sister cared for her son, Kendall. “I love to learn but I hated being away from my son at night. That was the hardest part,” Arnold said.

While she was a senior at TCTC, she began experiencing symptoms she initially thought were related to a sinus infection, including a severe headache. However, when her vision in her right eye became blurry, she visited an eye doctor who discovered a tumor growing on her

pituitary gland. The tumor was pressing on her optic nerve, requiring immediate surgery to remove it. The procedure, a pituitary adenoma resection, successfully removed the tumor, which had also been pressing on her brain. Although she ultimately lost vision in her right eye, the surgery, followed by gamma knife radiation, saved the vision in her left eye.

“I was supposed to be out of class for four months that year to recuperate. But I was determined to graduate on time. After just two weeks, I asked the doctor if I could return to class. He said that as long as I wasn’t driving or doing anything strenuous, I could go back. So, with the help of instructors like Beth Marsh, I did,” said Arnold. It was also that year she was laid off from Ryobi.

She rebounded and moved forward. She graduated in 2002 and began working as a customer service representative for Alltel and later as a financial service rep for Sprint which was a remote job. It was then she decided to further her education at Brown Mackie College which worked perfectly with her schedule.

Greenville Campus ECPI President Karen Burgess served on the board of the Urban League of the Upstate at the time and recommended Arnold for an internship at the organization. Burgess, then president of Brown Mackie College, remembers Arnold as a standout student. The organization was in need of an extern at the time and Arnold was placed in a clerical position that grew into a full-time position. “She was a very sharp student and she hit the ground running,” said Burgess.

Arnold graduated with a business administration degree in 2013.

“She thought I was a great fit,” said Arnold. “Karen Burgess is still a friend to this day. She singled me out after she noticed my interaction with students and faculty. I didn’t even know she knew my name.”

The internship entailed helping the CEO get ready for an assessment by the National Urban League. Her duties grew and within months became a full-time employee. From 2013 until 2021, she was the office manager/executive assistant. In 2021, she was named chief operating officer and she was promoted to her current title this year.

“I’m not at all surprised by her success. She has a true passion for the mission of the organization. I’m so happy for her and her success,” said Burgess.

This past summer, 20 years after her first surgery, Arnold began experiencing similar symptoms and a CT scan revealed a brain tumor was back. She underwent a third surgery. She returned to work ready to tackle anything that comes her way. “I love what I do,” Arnold said.

Over the years, her responsibilities grew, and after earning a certification in grant writing, she mastered a valuable new skill. Since 2018, she has successfully secured significant funding for the Urban League, greatly contributing to the advancement of their mission.

Bridge to Clemson Alumnus Eric Roper SERVES AS TCTC

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR

Eric Roper and Dr. Mandy Elmore

Alumnus Eric Roper was feeling nostalgic as he headed to the TCTC Pendleton Campus earlier this year—returning for the first time 13 years after graduating from the Bridge to Clemson program in 2009. The reason for his visit was to attend an orientation session for new adjunct faculty members. Roper now teaches online classes for the Engineering and Industrial Technology Division. “It’s good to be back. I’m proud to be a TCTC alumnus,” said Roper, who several years ago moved back to Anderson County after living and working in Virginia, most recently as the chief engineer for a Department of Defense contractor. Currently, he is project manager for Hargrove Engineers and Constructors in Greenville.

He reconnected with Dr. Mandy Elmore, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development at TCTC, on LinkedIn when he saw a post by Elmore who was seeking adjunct instructors for spring semester.

She was one of his teachers when he was a student at the Anderson Career and Technology Center and became a mentor whom he stayed in touch with when he was a Bridge student on campus.

After graduating from Clemson University with a mechanical engineering degree in 2013, he began working for a NASA contractor as a mechanical engineer and later in mission management until 2020. During his tenure, he launched 25 missions for NASA all over the world.

The first day Roper reported for work as a mechanical engineer for NASA’s Sounding Rocket Operations Contract on Wallops Island, Virginia, there were six rockets on his desk. His job was to design the hardware, draft all the drawings for each part, submit them to the shop to get all the hardware built, draft up the assembly drawings, create a test plan, and then present all this information to his upper management, NASA, and the customer throughout the life cycle of each individual rocket.

Four months into the job, he had launched his first rocket and within the next three years, he had launched a total of six rockets. Over the years Roper designed rocket payloads for scientific research and experiments, along with targets for defense contracts.

“It was very exciting,” said the Easley native, who credits his academic and professional success to beginning college in TCTC’s nationally recognized Bridge to Clemson program and continuing in Clemson University’s engineering curriculum and engaging in co-op opportunities.

Before graduating from Clemson, he had three job offers—from the CIA, SPAWAR in Charleston, and NASA. He chose NASA because of an internship he completed there while at Clemson.

He says he was a successful college freshman at Tri-County and later at Clemson because of his start in the Bridge to Clemson program, a unique freshman-year program that blends the traditional academic experience at Tri-County with the social and cultural experiences of being a Clemson University student.

“The Bridge program allowed me to ease into the college atmosphere,” Roper said. “It also helped me to figure out which area of engineering

best suited me. The general education and math classes I needed were taught by great Tri-County instructors who helped me to get ahead of the game when I got to Clemson in 2009. I was definitely prepared for my sophomore year,” he said.

“It was an easy transition—it was merely a change of campus, not a change in the level of academics,” said the 2008 Wren High School graduate.

“With help from my parents, the LIFE scholarship and working weekends, third shifts, and holidays, I paid for college myself and managed to graduate debt free. Any time someone asks about my career path, I tell them I highly recommend the Bridge to Clemson program. It’s affordable and a good way to ease into the college lifestyle.”

“I loved every minute of my time at TCTC. It’s the reason I was successful in college,” said Roper.

Roper said Elmore’s mentoring impacted him in many ways beginning with their conversations about career paths in high school and continues to this day. Today he invests in his employees at Hargrove as well as his students at TCTC just as Elmore did for him. While working for NASA, he was a teacher and mentor for the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, or NCAS program, an authentic educational experience for community college students seeking a STEM degree. “I always told them I am a farm kid from South Carolina who traveled the world and launched rockets. A lot of my confidence comes from Mandy’s encouragement over the years.”

“I always saw bigger things for Eric,” said Elmore. “He was invested and wanted to learn. He is a critical thinker and knows how to face obstacles and works to find the solution. He is an extraordinary young man who has accomplished so much.”

“ The general education and math classes I needed were taught by great Tri-County instructors who helped me to get ahead of the game when I got to Clemson in 2009. I was definitely prepared for my sophomore year.

~ Eric Roper ”

Crystal Lopez Says Dual Enrollment,

WELDING INSTRUCTORS PAVED WAY TO COLLEGE

Until she reached her senior year in high school, college was never part of the equation or the conversation for Crystal Lopez.

She had aspirations about opening her own business and wanted to pursue a degree, but the reality of college was uncertain for her and her three younger siblings. “My mother earned her GED and my father graduated from high school, but they didn’t talk to us about college,” she said.

Her grades were excellent—she was an honor student—but finances would be a huge barrier, she said. No one in her family had ever gone to college so it seemed like an impossibility. But it also remained a dream and a goal.

It became a reality when she learned about the Technical Career Pathways (TCP) program.

Workforce development is just one of the many advantages of the program that since its inception in the 2013-2014 academic year has provided high school students with a clear path to a debt-free education that prepares them for careers in manufacturing.

TCP is offered in partnership with local school districts. Classes are taught by college faculty at the high schools, career centers, or a Tri-County campus that is adjacent to a career center, thereby allowing students to use district-provided transportation if needed. TCP is free because tuition and related expenses, such as books and fees, are fully funded by the state. The program enables students to transfer seamlessly into the workforce or into an associate degree program after high school.

Lopez was amazed when her friend, who was taking Welding classes at the Anderson Institute of Technology, talked about constructing a grill as a class project and later cooking on it. “I wanted to give that a try. It was too cool to pass up,” said Lopez, who talked to her guidance counselor about her interest in welding. He suggested she look into dual enrollment at TCTC, emphasizing that it is an opportunity to check out welding at no cost.

“Initially my mother was skeptical,” said Lopez. “She said nothing is free, there has to be a catch. But we discovered there is no catch, just educational opportunities.”

By the time Lopez entered her senior year at Pendleton High School, she had devised a plan. She enrolled in two high school classes each semester while attending a TCTC Welding class four days a week and participating in ROTC and two sports, wrestling and track and field. The first day of class, instructors gave a tour of the Industrial Technology Center. “I was astonished at the welding labs. I immediately got excited about the program. And when I experienced the hands-on learning, it got even better,” she said.

“Dual enrollment classes gave me an opportunity to try a new skill at no cost. I lost nothing and gained skills and a love for welding,” Lopez said. She entered TCTC this fall with a LIFE scholarship.

“I’ve not regretted my choice, not once. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. I’m also setting an example for my siblings,” said Lopez, adding that her sister will enter TCTC’s Dental Assisting program next spring.

“My parents are proud that I was in college and high school at the same time and getting things done. My high school graduation was a big deal, but my college graduation will be an even bigger event since I will be the first in my family to graduate,” she said.

It’s one of her dreams to travel the world, so she is contemplating entering the military after graduating from TCTC. She learned from TCTC instructor Dakota Phillips, a U.S. Air Force veteran and TCTC Welding alumnus, about the varied opportunities and career choices that come with a Welding degree. “I talked to her about female welding graduates and their successes. The sky is the limit if you work hard,” said Phillips.

Lopez attributes her success to Phillips and Michael Link, adjunct Welding instructor and a 2012 alumnus of the TCTC Welding program, who owns his own welding shop in Pendleton.

“She is by far the most driven student I have taught in the last two years,” said Link. “Anything she puts her mind to she goes above and beyond. She is a hard worker and dedicated and has proven to be the star student in my classes.”

“Crystal is an ideal Welding student. What sets her apart is her maturity, her focus and how seriously she takes her education. She takes pride in her work and strives to be the best welder in the class. Don’t let her size fool you, she can weld with the best of them. Her attention to detail and overall attitude will make her successful in anything she chooses to do,” added Phillips.

“Dakota and Link are role models for me. They are good hands-on instructors who are encouraging and they have good stories about their careers. They are more than instructors; they are mentors. They guide me and lead me so I haven’t had to do this on my own. I go to them for advice, questions, and they always have a solution. They talk about my many options in the field of welding. They keep me on course. Saying thank you to them isn’t enough. I have a lot of gratitude.”

Celebrating 10 Years of Success

This year TCTC and its business and education partners celebrated 10 years of success of the Technical Career Pathways (TCP) program.

Since its inception in the 2013-2014 academic year, it has provided high school students with a clear path to a debt-free education that prepares them for careers in manufacturing. The initial goal of the TCP program was to develop a pipeline of individuals who are skilled and ready to fill in-demand jobs at manufacturing facilities across the Upstate.

TCP began with seven students from Crescent High School and has grown to hundreds of students each year at all 16 high schools in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.

Over the past decade, the program has grown from one pathway—basic electronics—to eight pathways: Business Administration; Computer and Information Technology; CNC Programming and Operations; Emergency Medical Technology; Engineering Systems Technology; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Mechatronics; and Welding.

“Many students served through TCP may never have considered attending college, much less beginning college while in high school. But these pathways have broken down barriers and made a college education possible,” said President Galen DeHay. “TCP is effective because—like all of our dual enrollment offerings—it is accessible, affordable, transferable and supportive.”

Kimaka Evans and Janet Fuller

For 22 years Kimaka Evans has worn a blue uniform, signifying her status as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home and other health care agencies.

This past summer, after earning her Licensed Practical Nursing degree and a passing score on the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX)PN exam, she traded her blues for a red uniform worn by licensed practical nurses.

“It has been a lifetime dream to become a nurse. Over the years, I would tell myself all of the reasons why I couldn’t or wouldn’t pursue my education. I knew it would happen one day; I just didn’t know when,” said Evans.

Her dream was made possible by a partnership between TCTC, Honor Health Career Programs (HHCP) and HMR Veterans Services, Inc. (HMRVSI). In August of 2023, they announced a new workforce development program—the first of its kind in the U.S.—that created an on-site training program for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to pursue a licensed practical nursing (LPN) credential at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson.

The program addresses a critical shortage of health care workers and removes barriers to career development, economic mobility and accessibility to education. HMRVSI provides the learning environment, TCTC delivers the education, and HHCP provides mentoring and funding for tuition, books and supplies.

Evans, Samantha Keefe and Caitlyn Phillips, all CNAs employed at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, were the first HMRVSI employees to enroll in the program and to take classes in the on-site education and training center. All three completed the program and earned their LPN degrees in summer 2023.

In addition to earning their LPN degrees and meeting a critical workforce need, they increased their earning potential and have an established pathway to a registered nurse degree and beyond. Evans plans to pursue an RN degree at TCTC while working as an LPN.

A shortage of LPNs at the nursing home prompted HMRVSI to contact TCTC to initiate an agreement that would create an educational pathway for qualified CNAs to enroll in the three-semester program. The cohort takes classes while working at the nursing home.

Offering an on-site LPN program provides a low-cost education to the student and creates a career pathway in health care. It also removes other common barriers that can prohibit a student from enrolling, such as travel time to a college campus and the cost of tuition, books and supplies. HHCP is providing additional funds to these students to offset any other costs associated with uniforms and supplies.

Instructor Janet Fuller, a TCTC adjunct faculty member and former nursing department head, manages the students in the classroom and the clinical setting. The curriculum and hands-on lab replicate the LPN program at the TCTC Easley Campus.

“Kimaka is probably the most goal-oriented person I know,” said Fuller, who has been teaching for more than 30 years. “She always had a

goal and she has taken small steps to achieve it. She wasn’t in a hurry because she had family and extended family obligations that she takes very seriously. It’s amazing that she was able to do everything and take care of everybody over the years. Now she is devoting the time to investing in herself.”

She entered the LPN program with more than two decades of health care experience, working as a CNA at the nursing home on and off for 19 years and as a phlebotomist and medical assistant for doctors’ offices and the Anderson Cancer Center.

Evans said she was overwhelmed when she learned a supervisor had recommended her for the program.

“I knew I had the potential for college but I never had the time,” said Evans, the mother of four children, all of whom are now adults. “Now it’s just my husband and I and the timing was perfect. This was my opportunity. I couldn’t believe people noticed me as an employee. That meant the world to me to be seen and heard. Because somebody thought about me, this opportunity changed my life, for the better— financially, professionally and personally. I am so grateful.”

She said she couldn’t have done it without an influential instructor like Fuller.

“Mrs. Fuller means the world to me. She is like an aunt you can confide in. She is approachable and very real. She believed in me from the start. I had to get out of my own head and relieve those self-doubts. Mrs. Fuller helped me to do that.”

HHCP Executive Director Erin Fredericks said the mentoring component is what makes this program different. “It’s the power of connection,” she said. “HHCP believes in connecting with our partners and students. We have been part of these students’ journeys from day one. They have exceptional resilience. This is their first success among many to come. We are extremely proud of each of them and can’t wait to see their next steps.”

“I’ve come a long way and it’s an amazing feeling,” said Evans. One day in particular stands out for her. Evans was working on the second shift when management announced over the intercom system that she had passed the NCLEX. “I was in the patient care room and didn’t hear it but when I exited into the hall, my co-workers were clapping to celebrate me and my success. Some left their shift floor just to stop and congratulate me.”

Dr. Laneika Musalini RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Dr. Laneika K. Musalini, a 2000 graduate of the Office Systems Technology (now Administrative Office Technology) program, is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The recipient of this award must have been awarded a degree, diploma or certificate from Tri-County; must have graduated at least one year ago; and must have made significant contributions to the College, the Alumni Association or the community.

Dr. Laneika K. Musalini never hesitates to say yes any time TCTC, her alma mater and former employer, calls with requests to address student organizations, to assist with alumni engagement events, or to catch up with former colleagues.

When TCTC Foundation Executive Director Courtney White invited her to lunch in May, Dr. Musalini said she was shocked and speechless when White announced she is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni award in recognition of her many contributions to the college and the community.

“I couldn’t believe it; I was taken aback,” said Dr. Musalini, who since 2023, has served as director of the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs for Metropolitan State University of Denver where she also serves on the provost council and the academic affairs leadership team. She continues to reside in Anderson and works remotely.

“This award is different because it is near and dear to my heart. TCTC is where I got my footing as an 18-year-old single mother and where I built a foundation for my education and career. TCTC is very special to me.”

This May marked 24 years since she received her first college degree, an associate degree in Office Systems Technology (now Administrative Office Technology). In a full circle moment, she will attend TCTC’s fall commencement, this time as the keynote speaker to the Class of 2024.

Unbeknownst to her, her first degree was just the beginning of her educational journey. “I had a lot of obstacles to overcome but TCTC was a stepping stone for me. Back then I didn’t realize how pivotal it would be in mapping out my future,” said Dr. Musalini, now married and the mother of four.

“I still think about my OST instructors Gracie McLaughlin and Sue McLane and the real conversations we had and how it planted seeds in me. They were so encouraging and supportive. I really felt like I belonged and there was a sense of community.”

Receiving an Abney Foundation scholarship was life changing for Dr. Musalini. “I couldn’t afford a four-year college so Tri-County was the only place I applied. It was close to home, and I could work part time, take care of my son and maintain my grades. I was a marketing workstudy while at TCTC. But I had goals,” she said.

The plan was to graduate from TCTC, gain a skill, get a job, and begin pursuing a four-year degree. With help from an Abney scholarship and a vocational business school scholarship from the Hanna-Westside Extension Campus, she earned an OST degree and relied on AIM and

its Women and Children Succeeding (WACS) program for assistance with eliminating barriers that existed for her as a single mom. She joined Clemson University in 2000 as an administrative assistant and took TCTC’s University Transfer classes on her lunch hour. She transferred to Anderson University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Resources. She was promoted to grants manager for Clemson’s College of Business and Behavioral Sciences and earned a master’s degree from Clemson where she graduated with highest honors from the Human Resource Development program.

“I feel TCTC shaped me into the professional I am today. The Abney scholarship led me to so many opportunities. It was very impactful for me. TCTC made Anderson University possible for me,” she said.

She joined TCTC as director of grants in 2012. During her 10-year tenure, she raised more than $20 million by writing successful state and federal grant proposals. She also chaired the project charter team for the diversity and inclusion initiative and served as the liaison to the TCTC Board of Visitors.

In 2021, she graduated from Wingate University with a doctor of education degree, earning a 4.0 and the outstanding dissertation award.

Dr. Musalini agrees that it is her responsibility to pay it forward, to help others. “After I graduated from TCTC, I couldn’t give back financially so I decided to dedicate my time and service to organizations that are important to me, like AIM, because I can identify with the single parents they serve. Not everyone has the means to give back financially, but your time and talent are just as important as a monetary gift.”

She has been recognized by local, state and national organizations for her passion, service, commitment and collaboration with other individuals and organizations to enhance and improve educational opportunities for people in her community and beyond.

Dr. Musalini received the 2015 ATHENA Young Professional Award from the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. She was named by Clemson University to the Roaring Ten for 2014 and received the Anderson County United Way Community Trailblazer award in 2017. She was named to the South Carolina Black Pages 20 under 40 African Americans in 2019.

She is a member of Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise in Anderson and is the founder and president of Women’s Empowerment, Inc. Since 2010, the organization has provided resources to women in need as they build self-esteem, work toward financial independence, and strengthen their faith. To date, the organization has had a positive impact on the lives of more than 5,800 women through the resources they provide, including an annual conference.

She serves on the Pendleton Foundation for Black History and Culture Board and is a member and former president of the Anderson University Alumni Association Board.

Jessica Gross Says She Felt

INSTANT CONNECTION TO TCTC, INSTRUCTORS

Meredith Dickens and Jessica Gross

Jessica Gross didn’t take the traditional route to earning a fouryear degree in education. Life’s unexpected twists and turns dictated that she take a few short and extended breaks in her educational journey before receiving her Early Care and Education (ECE) degree from TCTC in 2022. “I realized that at TCTC, you don’t have to follow a road map to get to your destination. You don’t have to fit into a traditional model of what a college student looks like to come here. You can be you and fit in. From day one I felt a sense of belonging and felt welcomed. I wasn’t placed in a box. At TCTC I found out who I was.”

In May, Gross graduated from North Greenville University (NGU) with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She is the second TCTC graduate to participate in this new partnership that enables TCTC students to transfer to NGU’s Educational Studies online bachelor’s degree program.

What makes this partnership unique is that all course credits associated with Tri-County’s Associate of Applied Science in Early Care and Education degree program transfer to NGU’s Early Childhood Education bachelor’s degree program. Plus, Tri-County students who transfer to NGU’s online bachelor’s degree program are eligible for a 10% discount on tuition. The flexibility associated with online courses is particularly valuable to Tri-County students who are often balancing school with work and family obligations.

Gross said her life looks entirely different than what she envisioned when she graduated from Walhalla High School in 2014. The honor student received a scholarship to Winthrop University but after a semester she decided to rethink her choices which included her major.

“I discovered I wanted to get away from the stereotypical college experience and I wanted to be an individual. I got that at TCTC,” said Gross, who resides in Seneca.

“I dreamed about being a teacher, and Meredith (Dickens, TCTC Public Services department head and her former ECE instructor/advisor) opened my eyes to the fact that it was achievable. I came in with a baby on the way so family was a priority and she understood that I had to maintain a home and school balance,” said Gross.

“As a freshman transfer student, I wondered if community college students were as driven. I found out they were here because they wanted to be. It’s not a mandatory next step. It’s a choice. There are other adults in their 20’s with families and lives. I connected instantly,” she said.

Gross took classes consecutively but one or two a semester because she was a working parent. She and her husband Brian (who also is a TCTC graduate) were remodeling the home they were living in. There were times when she had to take longer breaks because of their child’s illness. (A milk protein allergy that took time to diagnose required her full attention and a short break.) She returned to TCTC in 2017 after the birth of her second son. A health scare with him required another longer hiatus. “I continued taking classes slowly. But thankfully, I had instructors who were rooting for me and friends who were there for me. They understand that life is difficult and everyone’s life is different. Everyone cared.”

In addition to Dickens, one of her inspirations was Jackye Murphy, an ECE instructor who lost her battle with cancer in September 2018. “I looked at them and said that’s who I want to be. They were there to help students achieve their goals. They both taught and practiced meaningful learning. Mrs. Murphy was sick and still showed up. I wanted to model myself after her. She encouraged me to keep showing up and to finish my education,” Gross said.

“I came to Tri-County unsure of what to expect and left feeling hopeful for my career and prepared beyond what I ever imagined,” said Gross, who was named the ECE outstanding student that year.

After graduating from TCTC she took a year of general education classes at Clemson University and learned about the NGU program when talking with Dickens about next steps. All of her TCTC and Clemson credits were accepted.

Gross wasn’t saddled with any student debt thanks to federal grants and the LIFE scholarship. “I graduated from TCTC debt free. During all my years at TCTC, I didn’t pay one dollar for textbooks and tuition,” adding, “I graduated from NGU on May 3 with a super small debt.” Gross is teaching kindergarten at Blue Ridge Elementary School this year.

“Jessica serves as a beautiful picture of the old saying, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way,’” said Dickens. “Through all of the challenges along her journey, Jessica was determined to pause, not stop. She has felt the calling that is required for an educator, and she was determined to answer that call. Tenacity and perseverance have led her to reaching her goals with greatness, and I am so honored to have been a part of her journey,” said Dickens.

“

” I realized that at TCTC, you don’t have to follow a road map to get to your destination. You don’t have to fiit into a traditional model of what a college student looks like to come here. You can be you and fiit in. From day one I felt a sense of belonging and felt

welcomed. I wasn’t placed in a box. At TCTC I found out who I was.

~ Jessica Gross

The fall of 2024 is a bittersweet time for Matt Herrick. After 15 years in the veterinary field, at age 41 he is changing careers and entering Wingate University as a Pharmacy student in preparation of pursuing a new profession.

Since 2007 he has been enrolled on the TCTC campus, on and off as a student in both the Veterinary Technology and Pre-Pharmacy programs and as an adjunct Veterinary Technology instructor while maintaining his job as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) at Magnolia Veterinary Hospital in Anderson.

He earned a Veterinary Technology degree in 2010 and after years in the field, began to reevaluate the direction of his career. Looking for a change, but still invested in the health care field, he discovered TCTC’s two-year Pre-Pharmacy curriculum, which gives students the courses they need to apply to any pharmacy school in the Southeast. TriCounty’s program provides students the same opportunities to enter a school of pharmacy that a four-year college or university would—at a fraction of the cost.

Herrick was named outstanding Pre-Pharmacy student just weeks before receiving his degree at the spring 2024 commencement. He credits his successes to the relationships he established over the years with both Vet Tech and Chemistry and Pre-Pharmacy instructors.

“These connections continued past graduation and will last a lifetime,” he said, adding that they have served as mentors and sounding boards. “It’s those rare personal connection that made my decision so hard.”

Late last year he was one of 10 accepted to Wingate University’s School of Pharmacy at the Hendersonville, NC, satellite campus.

“Our program provides students the same opportunities to enter a school of pharmacy that a four-year college or university would,” said Donny Winkler, TCTC program director for Pre-Pharmacy. Tri-County was the first technical college in the state to offer this package of

Matt Herrick Says TCTC Relationships

WILL LAST A LIFETIME

classes. Since 2009, Tri-County students have been accepted into pharmacy schools with sustained academic success. Tri-County has graduates from all colleges of pharmacy in South Carolina, South University College of Pharmacy and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy.

“I really thought I was missing something in the fine print when I read that I could earn my prerequisites at TCTC and apply to any pharmacy school in the United States,” said Herrick. He applied to Wingate University and was accepted in the first round of interviews, competing among individuals with bachelor’s degrees. “I was offered a spot before I left that day along with a $40,000 dean’s scholarship making it financially feasible,” Herrick said. “I talked it over with my wife that night and I accepted.”

“Wingate saw what we, as instructors, saw in Matt over the years— commitment,” said Ashley Brady, Veterinary Technology department head. When he entered the Vet Tech program, he was juggling many priorities including a third-shift job as a restaurant cook. He would get off work at 6 a.m. and change clothes and head to an 8 a.m. class. “We didn’t want him to burn out from compassion fatigue. We knew he had family responsibilities (he and his wife have three children), but we recognized his dedication and commitment both personally and professionally,” Brady said.

He will demonstrate that same dedication this year as he commits to five days a week classes in Hendersonville.

It was a hard choice to make, he said, but after years in emergency veterinary medicine, it is time for a career change. “I love veterinary medicine,” he said. “I’ve invested 15 years with Magnolia and with TCTC. They will always have a place in my heart. I’m not abandoning it fully; I’m just taking a step away,” adding that he would like to work PRN as his schedule allows.

“I plan to keep in touch,” he said.

Matt Herrick and Ashley Brady

High School Seniors Ready

TO ENTER WORKFORCE

Randy Bowers became a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1977 when he was a senior in high school and was a volunteer at the rescue squad in Greenville, SC. The class was offered by TCTC and taught at the Pelzer Rescue Squad.

Forty-seven years later, Bowers, now president and CEO of Bowers Emergency Medical Services in Easley, is back in the classroom, this time as an adjunct instructor for TCTC, teaching a basic EMT class to young people who are exactly the age he was when he received his first certification.

After earning firefighter certificates last fall, this spring 11 students attended a three-hour Basic EMT class four days a week at the Anderson District 1 and 2 Career Center in Williamston. They are dual enrollment students from four different high schools in Anderson County: Powdersville, Wren, Belton-Honea Path and Palmetto. They are earning college credit while also acquiring valuable skills that will fill a critical need in today’s workforce.

TCTC’s EMT program is certified and regulated by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Students learn skills, rules, and guidelines for providing emergency care. In addition to the classroom, they must complete 10 hours of ambulance rides with the Pickens County EMS.

Licensed by the state, EMTs and paramedics work full- or part-time or volunteer in city or county rescue squads and fire stations, separate EMS stations and private ambulance companies, as well as in hospitals and clinics.

Successful completion of the course qualifies them to take the National Registry certification examination and become certified in South Carolina. TCTC’s 200-hour program meets the current National Registry and SC DHEC/EMS standards.

It’s Bowers’ first time teaching young adults, and he is glad to see them entering the field that is both challenging and rewarding.

“There is an ongoing nationwide shortage of EMTs that got much worse after COVID,” he said. “EMT training is a great starting point for many and it allows you to continue to build on your skills. There are folks who stay in the field for their entire careers because they have that passion. One challenge we have is that many who work as EMTs want to advance in their studies and depart to pursue careers as paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners and even doctors.”

EMTs often are the first on the scene to treat and transport the patient to the hospital. Bowers’ years of experience working as a community paramedic allow him to teach the students using personal, relatable situations that correspond to the subject matter in the textbook.

“I want them to be able to hit the ground running. It’s my job to get them ready to pass the National Registry exam,” he said.

“These students can graduate from high school and can get a job making $50,000 a year. That’s not a bad way to start life,” he said.

By earning firefighter and basic EMT certifications over the past year, students are ready for the workforce. Several completed high school graduation requirements and enrolled in this one class while working at local fire departments or at internships that provide on-the-job training.

“These certifications give us a head start at no cost,” said Hailey Handford, 18. “We are graduating debt free,” she said. Tuition is paid by SC Wins and textbooks and materials are funded by a federal Perkins grant. “This is a great deal.”

“I can go anywhere in South Carolina and get a job,” said John Dickerson. “This course really set us up for success.”

Accolades And Awards

College Accepts ACCT Southern Region Equity Award

President DeHay and TCTC Commissioners accepted the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Equity award at the ACCT Leadership Congress held in Las Vegas October 10, 2023.

The equity award recognizes exemplary commitment by a governing board or governing board and president of an ACCT member two-year postsecondary institution board or state board for two-year postsecondary institutions to achieve equity in the college’s education programs and services and in the administration and delivery of those programs and services.

“This award recognizes the intentional efforts of our faculty and staff to strengthen enrollment efforts and student support initiatives, thereby improving access and success for under-resourced populations,” said President DeHay. “I am proud of the work we have done and continue to do to ensure students have opportunities to pursue educational pathways that lead to the successful completion of a degree, diploma or certificate at TCTC.”

Strengthening enrollment efforts and student support initiatives while refining strategies to improve access and success yielded positive growth in enrollment. Hispanic enrollment shows a 44% increase from fall 2020 to fall 2023. African American student enrollment increased by 11% during that same time frame. From fall 2021 to fall 2023, Hispanic student enrollment increased by 20% and African American enrollment increased by 9%.

TCTC Exceeds All Performance Metrics

TCTC met all key performance indicators for student success. The success criteria are: graduate placement rate; licensure pass rate; fall to spring persistence rate; graduate production rate; and student success rate.

The success criteria were identified from measurement standards established by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and from TCTC’s own strategic planning goals.

TCTC exceeded all five performance metrics and is the only college in the South Carolina Technical College System to meet all success indicator targets.

ECE and Surgical Technology Programs Receive Reaccreditation

The Early Care Education and Surgical Technology programs received notice of reaccreditation by their accrediting bodies.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) awarded continuing accreditation through 2033 to the Surgical Technology Associate Degree program.

The Early Care and Education program earned renewed accreditation for seven years—with no conditions—from the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.

Amy Borders Honored with Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence

English instructor Amy Borders’ commitment to student success, through her innovative teaching practices and cocurricular student support activities, earned her the College’s highest faculty award. She was honored with the Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence at the College’s spring convocation.

CCA Honors Manufacturing Works Program

TCTC’s Manufacturing Works program was honored with the Instructional Program Award at the Community Colleges of the Appalachia’s (CCA) conference held June 9, 10 and 11.

Arts and Sciences Division Dean Jennifer Hulehan accepted the award which recognizes innovative programs in CCA member colleges that have been designed and implemented to foster excellence in teaching and learning.

Som Linthicum Honored with TCTC’s Staff Excellence Award

Som Linthicum, dean of the Learning Commons, was honored with the Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence at the College’s fall convocation.

Nursing Advisory Committee Recognized for Achievements

The TCTC Nursing advisory committee was recognized with the Advisory Committee of the Year award at the College’s fall convocation. The advisory committee consists of Upstate health care leaders who meet at the end of each semester for discussion and to provide input about keeping the curriculum relevant to today’s ever-changing work environment.

EMT Paramedic Program Awarded Five-Year Initial Accreditation

TCTC’s Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) Paramedic program was awarded a five-year initial accreditation by the board of directors of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP accreditation is required for graduates of Paramedic programs to sit for the National Registry Paramedic certification examination.

Commissioner RosemondSaunders Honored by SCATCC

TCTC Commissioner Helen RosemondSaunders is the recipient of the 2024 South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners (SCATCC) Trustee Leadership Award. The award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to promote the technical or community college concept. This is the second time this honor has been bestowed upon Commissioner Rosemond-Saunders.

Medical Assisting Program Celebrated

TCTC’s Medical Assisting program is the seventh longest-running Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)-accredited program in the United States. The program, established September 10, 1971, is 53 years old. TriCounty’s Medical Assisting program is accredited through 2029.

Educators of the Year

Christian

Beam

Receives

Adjunct

Faculty Presidential Award

Christian Beam, history and humanities lecturer, received the College’s 2024 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award at the College’s spring convocation.

TCTC, CU Tops in Transfer Student Degree Completion

The U.S. Department of Education released data about two-year and four-year institutions with the highest bachelor’s degree completion rates for students who transfer between the two institutions. In South Carolina, the top performing institutions are TCTC and Clemson University. TCTC and Clemson boast the highest bachelor’s degree completion rate in the nation for transfer students who receive federal financial aid.

Three faculty/staff members were honored as TCTC’s Educators of the Year and were recognized, along with other winners from the technical college system, at the annual South Carolina Technical Education Association conference.

They were: Dr. Mandy Elmore, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development, outstanding administrator; Ross Hughes, I-BEST instructor in the Academic and Career Foundations Division, outstanding faculty member; and Erin McAleer, assistant director of the Learning Commons, outstanding staff member.

Highlights

Oconee Hall Among Facility Improvement Projects

The College is experiencing unprecedented times with nearly $100 million invested in facility improvement projects over the next three years. This investment will help continue to deliver on our mission of providing students an exceptional and affordable learning experience that improves their quality of life while advancing economic development in the region by preparing a highly skilled workforce.

The first and perhaps most visible facility project is Oconee Hall. Oconee Hall is the busiest academic building on the Pendleton Campus with roughly 80% of students taking at least one class in this building. Accordingly, we have remodeled this building with the student in mind. It will feature expanded classroom sizes and three new classrooms, a courtyard, student flex space, and an outdoor terrace. The designers have increased the building’s footprint by 44% while retaining 87% of the original steel structure. The new building will have 20 total classrooms between the second and third floors. The first floor houses the faculty neighborhood which provides a one-stop for our students. Also, there will be a 3,400 sq. ft outdoor terrace with study spaces. This renovation will increase student capacity by 60%.

In addition, the building will be energy efficient and ADA accessible.

Faculty will move into Oconee Hall in December with students attending classes in spring 2025.

Maintenance Technicians from Bosch Complete Manual Machine Course

Six maintenance technicians from the Robert Bosch plant in Anderson completed a new and accelerated

Manual Machining course designed by and offered through Corporate and Community Education. The course was designed to teach the skills technicians need to operate certain cutting machines within Bosch and pass the company’s certification test. Offered at the Oconee Campus, the course was taught by adjunct instructor Dr. Ken Candiotti. To successfully complete the course, participants must make a complex machine part and pass a written test after 120 hours of handson training.

Ulbrich Specialty Wire Product’s First Apprentice

Colby Stewart, a Mechatronics major, is Ulbrich Specialty Wire Product’s first apprentice from TCTC. Stewart is an apprentice in the engineering department and works as a technician/electrician under the guidance of a seasoned electrician. Apprenticeships benefit employers by providing them with a pipeline of skilled workers with industry-specific training and hands-on experience. Ulbrich already employs co-ops from four-year colleges but hiring an associate degree student for this on-the-job training is a first for the Westminster facility.

EmpowerUp

TCTC partnered with the School District of Pickens County (SDPC) to bring adult workforce development offerings to individuals. The EmpowerUp partnership offers a variety of fast, flexible, and locally-relevant training programs at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center. These TCTC courses are specifically designed to promote and support adult student success, workforce development, our community, and the local economy.

Student NAVTA Chapter Honored with First-Place Award

TCTC’s student chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) brought home the first-place award for its Student Community Involvement Project—an annual pet adoption event—at the South Carolina Technical Education Association conference.

The annual pet adoption event provides clinical learning experiences and enables students to develop competencies while addressing the overwhelming problem of animal overpopulation. Students work with multiple shelters in South Carolina and Georgia to aid in animal spaying/ neutering and adoption. Four times a year, public pet adoption events are held on campus for cats and dogs from the animal shelters that have been cared for during the semester as part of the program. Each adoption event is completely run by students.

From August 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, the department provided 156 dogs and 142 cats with routine veterinary care and approximately 130 animals were successfully adopted.

TCTC’s program, which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), is endorsed by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians.

Second Cohort Participates in Rural Educator Academy

For the second consecutive year, TCTC faculty and staff are participating in the Rural Educator Academy (REA) through the Community Colleges of Appalachia (CCA). The REA is grant funded through Ascendium Education Group and delivered from July 2023 to June 2024. The overarching purpose of the REA is to cultivate the competencies and skills required for Appalachian community college faculty, student services staff, and leaders to improve rural student outcomes, particularly for lower income students and students of color.

ITW Hartness Technical Scholars

Twenty-year-old Adam Roberts says the skills he is learning as a full-time CNC student, coupled with his work-based learning experience as an ITW Hartness Technical Scholar, are setting him up for success when he graduates. Roberts was selected as one of two TCTC students for the Technical Scholars program at the Greenville-based company.

“The Technical Scholars program, in its second year, is a way to build our workforce,” said Whitney Long, human resources manager. “The program is an investment in our company.”

Second Annual BudgetCon

More than 300 students participated in the second annual BudgetCon, a simulation workshop where students work through various stations to create a monthly budget based on the entry-level pay for their chosen career field. This event was available to all TCTC students and is required for COL 103 (College Skills) students and was hosted by the Academic and Career Foundations Division.

Community Service Activities

Two off-campus community service opportunities for the fall were held at the Dream Center’s Seneca and Easley locations. Participants sorted and organized inventory at their resale store in Seneca and they raked, mulched, painted, etc., at the Easley location. In the spring, TCTC participated in Dream Day, an annual event during which the community gathers to complete service projects throughout Anderson County in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Highlights

Fiscal Affairs Honored with CAFR Award

For 23 consecutive years, the Fiscal Affairs Office has been honored with the highest recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The College received notification from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that once again the team earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for FY 21-22.

Attaining the Certificate of Achievement represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Faculty and Staff Present at NOSS Conference

Academic and Career Foundations instructors were presenters at the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) conference.

Dean for Academic and Career Foundations

Crystal Pitrois gave a presentation titled, “The Invisible Backpack: Unpacking our own Biases to Create a Culture of Care.”

A presentation by Jonathan Chastain, Comprehensive Studies (CS) department head, and Alex Burrell, CS math program director, focused on TCTC’s Express Track math course where students progress from their current math skills to the math and study skills needed to be successful in their subsequent coursework.

Anderson Campus Hosts Rosenwald School Tours

During Black History Month, the Anderson Campus hosted tours of its onsite one-room reproduction of the Rosenwald Schools, which were built primarily for the education of African American children in the rural South from around 1912 through desegregation. The schools were the brainchild of Julius Rosenwald, CEO of Sears and Roebuck, and Booker T. Washington.

The full-scale, 900-square-foot reproduction of the Rosenwald Schools was constructed in 2014 by students in the College’s Building Construction program. The Rosenwald School is listed on the South Carolina Heritage Corridor, which recognizes historically significant sites in South Carolina.

Prisma Health, TCTC Celebrate Apprentices

Since 1997 Nicki Rush, fourth from left, has worked as a certified nurse aide. She always intended to go to college but financial and family responsibilities prohibited it. “I knew I couldn’t move up without the degree. I always thought one day, but I just didn’t know when,” said Rush, a 46-year-old single mother of six. Rush has worked at Prisma Health since 2012.

The time arrived with the establishment in fall 2022 of a new nursing apprenticeship program through Prisma Health that allowed her to attend college because it addresses critical shortages which include financial barriers, helping entry-level get upward mobility and creating a diverse workforce.

Rush joined other registered apprentices at the Easley Campus to celebrate their achievements. Students attend nursing classes at TCTC while maintaining their jobs at Prisma Health.

Over the last year and a half, 39 individuals have entered the Prisma Health apprenticeship program. Val Richardson, director of talent and workforce development at Prisma, eighth from left, said this apprenticeship creates a road map designed for them to move forward. “These individuals are already working for Prisma and are keeping the expertise in our community,” she said.

Rush graduated with an associate degree in Nursing on May 7.

Higher Education Day

TCTC students were among the 30 different colleges and universities across South Carolina who were recognized at the Statehouse on April 9 during the third annual Higher Education Day.

Rep. Neal Collins, who serves Pickens and Greenville County’s District 5, pictured fourth from left, teaches an American Government course at the Easley Campus. He and Business Administration instructor August Johnson, and Dan Cooper, chief of staff, accompanied the students.

The event was hosted in partnership with the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the South Carolina Technical College System, and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

Surgical Tech Graduates Report Perfect Pass Rate

TCTC’s December 2023 Surgical Technology graduates report a perfect pass rate on the National Board Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification Exam. After passing the certification exam, they are awarded the credential of a Certified Surgical Technologists (C.S.T.). The national pass rate for the exam is 66.7%.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through 2023.

Manufacturing Works Program

In the spring of 2024, 15 Anderson County high school seniors entered TCTC’s Manufacturing Works program, a registered pre-apprenticeship with Apprenticeship Carolina that allows them to gain technical skills while exploring careers in manufacturing.

After completing the training, these students, who before never considered college, now have a clearer picture of what they would like to do after graduation. The majority say they will enter the manufacturing sector and/or continue their education at TCTC.

This is the third cohort of the program that was piloted in 2022.

Students enrolled in Manufacturing Works attend weekly classes at Tri-County’s Anderson Campus. Each student earned an OSHA 10 card and a yellow belt in lean six sigma, learned technical skills that are useful in today’s manufacturing environment and were introduced to the fundamentals of lean manufacturing. They practiced their employability skills in interviews with TCTC employer partners, First Quality and Arthrex, who are corporate sponsors of the program.

By demonstrating six specific employability skills in a simulated workplace environment, students can earn a stipend of up to $600. The stipend is made possible by funding provided by the Development Corporation of Anderson County. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for registered apprenticeship programs at companies like Arthrex and First Quality. Tuition funding came from the South Carolina Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Initiative grant. A participation stipend was funded by the Tri-County Technical College Foundation, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the Development Corporation of Anderson County.

International Network of Michelin Cities Participants Tour Campus

The City of Anderson hosted the fourth Conference of the International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) April 15-19. This is the first time the conference was held in the United States. Around 200 participants were from more than two dozen countries around the world. As part of the conference, participants toured the Pendleton Campus and met with President DeHay for an overview about TCTC and its role in the community.

Highlights

MLT Graduates Report 100% Pass Rate on ASCP Exam

TCTC’s 2023 Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) graduates report a 100% pass rate on the National American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam. The 2023 national pass rate for the ASCP exam is 79%, and TCTC graduates scored an average of 109 points higher (or 11% higher) than the national average scores.

TCTC’s MLT program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

RN, LPN Grads Score 100% Pass

Rate on NCLEX

Graduates from TCTC’s associate degree nursing and practical nursing programs reported a perfect first-time pass rate on the new NGN (Next Generation) National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) for the first quarter of 2024. The associate degree nursing graduates also reported a 100% pass rate for the second quarter (April 1 through June 30, 2024).

The NCLEX is a nationally recognized licensure examination required to become either a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN) or a licensed practical nurse (NCLEX-PN). Graduates of both programs must pass the exam to work as RNs and/or LPNs in the state.

Students in both nursing programs continue their status of surpassing state and national pass rates on the exams. TCTC’s nursing departments are fully accredited by the State Board of Nursing in South Carolina and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Bakari Sellers Headlines Fifth Annual Men of Color Luncheon

Each year the College hosts a luncheon that allows male students of color from area middle schools, high schools, and TCTC to come together with community leaders to build their social capital by networking and learning from one another. The fifth annual Men of Color luncheon was held November 2, 2023, with Bakari Sellers, former South Carolina representative, New York Times bestselling author, civil rights activist, attorney, and entrepreneur as guest speaker.

South State Bank was the presenting sponsor this year.

College Hosts First Women of Color Meeting

In October 2023, the College hosted its first Women of Color student organization meeting for the fall semester. This inclusive initiative welcomes women of all cultural backgrounds with the goal of ensuring that every woman at TCTC has access to the resources she needs to seize every opportunity.

Students Honored at Phi Theta Kappa Ceremony

Two TCTC students were honored as members of the 2023-2024 Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team. Joe Cantrell and Rebecca Rogers represented TCTC at a recognition ceremony held in Columbia. Rogers was the transfer student honoree, and Cantrell was the career and technical education honoree. Both graduated in summer 2024.

Welding Students Excel at State Competition

TCTC’s welding program participated in the 2024 SC State Technical College Welding competition April 19 at Midlands Technical College in Columbia. TCTC competitors walked away with 50% of the competition’s first place prizes and had the most firstplace awards of any Welding program in the competition.

TCTC and Anderson University announce new transfer program

TCTC and Anderson University (AU) signed an articulation agreement September 19 outlining a new transfer program that will support students who are looking to advance their education in business, criminal justice, early care and education, media arts production, and nursing. This is one of only a few formalized articulation agreements in South Carolina to include a reverse referral option. With a reverse referral, students who apply to AU and determine they are not academically and/or financially prepared to attend the university are referred by AU to TCTC to begin their coursework. The student then has the option to transfer to AU once they complete transfer requirements.

Associates Complete Plastic Injection Molding Class

A group of eight associates working in the plastics industry in Anderson and Oconee counties completed TCTC’s second plastic injection molding class on March 21. Individuals employed at Eugen Wexler, CurTec, Horton Manufacturing and Baxter Manufacturing successfully completed the six-week, 22-hour program that was taught at TCTC’s Oconee Campus.

TCTC’s multi-phase Plastic Injection Molding (PIM) initiative is an industry-driven workforce development program designed to support the career and technical advancement of plastics workers throughout Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties.

Participants earned a Fundamentals of Plastic Injection Molding certificate from TCTC by gaining foundational knowledge in plastics materials, safety, mold processes, machine requirements and analytics, quality standards, and basic troubleshooting.

The second phase of the PIM initiative focused on having participants perform more hands-on activities and completing more analyses associated with machine set-up, production of a sample part and elimination of defects.

The PIM initiative includes the use of a state-of-the-art Engel e-Victory 180 plastic injection molding machine set up right in the classroom. The curriculum and instruction were co-designed by a current site director who has 25 years of experience in nearly all levels of the plastics industry.

Tri-County’s PIM initiative targets companies interested in building workers’ skills and foundation knowledge for career advancement, whether those workers are operators, quality technicians, materials handlers or entry-level mold technicians.

Former Mattel Toy Executive Rita Rao Delivers Fall Commencement Address

Rita Rao, a retired toy executive, delivered the address at the fall 2023 commencement in December. Rao’s career began as an entry-level marketing research analyst and concluded as executive vice president for the largest toy company in the world, Mattel, Inc. Responsible for worldwide product design, engineering, manufacturing and marketing, she managed $2 billion in sales with one of the biggest brand names in history, the Barbie doll.

She told the graduates, “Don’t let roadblocks and setbacks get in the way of meeting your goals.”

Figures, Charts and Graphs

TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE 2023-2024 BUDGET OPERATIONS REVENUE BY SOURCE

n

n

n

n

OPERATIONS BUDGET BY CATEGORY

Note: Headcounts above do not include non-credit student recipients.

Source: Business Office, July 2024

COMMUNITY

Note: The majority of the registrations outside the three-county area participated in state-wide training programs taught at TCTC or were involved in an international conference that was delivered by TCTC during the year.

Source: Corporate and Community Education, July 2024

Moody Black Delivers Summer Commencement Address

Moody Black, a spoken-word, hip-hop and visual artist, actor, storyteller, comedian, and teaching artist from Spartanburg, was the keynote speaker at the College’s summer 2023 commencement. As part of his commencement speech, Black read a poem he wrote about Tri-County. Scan the QR code to view a video version of the poem.

Source: Grants Office, July 2024

Student Characteristics Fall 2023

FALL 2023 ENROLLMENT STATUS

ENROLLMENT TYPE RACE

AGE

GENDER

FINANCIAL AID

Source:

FALL SEMESTER HEADCOUNT 2023

Kathy Looman, director of education grants, scholarships and sponsorships for the Haas Foundation, far left, and President DeHay, fiifth from left, pose with, from left, Paul Phelps, interim dean of the Engineering and Industrial Technology Division; Daniel Harbin, program director for CNC Programming and Operations at TCTC; Gerald Maxie, CNC instructor; and Courtney White, executive director of the TCTC Foundation.

Gene Haas Foundation PRESENTS $500,000 DONATION IN SUPPORT OF CNC LAB

The Gene Haas Foundation presented a $500,000 donation to TCTC’s Foundation to support and enhance the College’s CNC Programming and Operations program and its CNC Advanced Manufacturing Lab at the Industrial Technology Center (ITC).

The CNC lab is now named the Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab.

The Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc., to support the needs of the local community through grants. Seeing a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees industry-wide, the Haas Foundation expanded its mission to include support for manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond.

The Haas Foundation is a longtime supporter of TCTC’s manufacturing programs, and this is the company’s most generous gift. Since 2015, they have donated $465,000 in support of CNC student scholarships and certifications, bringing their giving total to nearly $1 million.

In recognition of their generosity, the TCTC Foundation presented the Haas Foundation with the 2023 Philanthropist of the Year award. This award is presented annually to an individual, foundation, company, trust, organization, or other entity that has made significant financial contributions to the College.

“This significant gift will continue to strengthen TCTC’s solid manufacturing programs and aid in the College’s commitment to training a skilled workforce,” said Courtney White, executive director of the TCTC Foundation. Specifically, this donation will help provide state-of-the-art CNC equipment and a learning lab replicating today’s workplace.

“Tri-County Technical College developed the CNC Programming and Operations program in collaboration with local industry to meet current and emerging workforce needs,” said TCTC President Galen DeHay. “Regional labor market data reveals significant growth over the next decade in machining jobs that require a postsecondary credential.” Manufacturing remains the highest-growing industry in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties, with manufacturing jobs expected to grow by 23% in the next 10 years. “It is vital that TCTC attract and train enough machinists to meet the demands of local manufacturers,” he said.

“Our advisory committee has validated the ongoing and long-term workforce needs, and we have developed partnerships with local school districts to create a dual enrollment pathway into the CNC Programming and Operations degree. In addition, we offer rapid entry and incumbent worker training for our local industry training in CNC and related technology. Our industry and school partnerships, as well as our investment in equipment, demonstrate the College’s commitment to growing our CNC program,” said Dr. Mandy Elmore, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development.

TCTC’s CNC Programming and Operations program prepares individuals for entry-level to advanced machining and prototyping jobs, said Paul Phelps, interim dean of TCTC’s Engineering and Industrial Technology Division. “Graduates are needed by every manufacturer you can name in the tri-county area, ranging from a small shop to a major manufacturer. Machining is crucial to all manufacturing processes, from maintenance to product development to manufacturing in general. For every plastic part made, a mold must be made by a CNC machine and a machinist at the controls. You’ll find everything from your cell phone case to silverware on your table was touched by a machinist,” said Phelps.

Tri-County Technical College Foundation

A few Foundation highlights for 2023-2024:

• A total of 544 donors gave $1,200,894, representing a 17% increase in donations from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024.

• The Foundation expended a total of $1,409,974 to support students and educational programs, representing 89% of the Foundation’s total spending for the fiscal year and an increase of 26% over similar spending during 2022-2023.

• The Foundation experienced a return of 13.08% on its long-term investments compared to a balanced index return of 12.72%.

• Ninety-nine percent of the donations received during the fiscal year were designated for scholarships, professional development, technology, special projects, and other priority College needs.

Dear Friends,

The Tri-County Technical College Foundation has actively secured funds to support the needs of the College and its students for approximately 40 years. Having worked with the Foundation for 16 of these years, and most recently serving as executive director this past year, I have found myself with some very big shoes (and in some cases high heels) to fill. As Linda Elliott, a former TCTC Foundation executive director, stated, “Nothing could be more gratifying than the generosity of the human heart, the reaching out to help those in need, which is one of humanity’s oldest and finest impulses.”

The Foundation’s sole purpose is to support the College and to advance its programs through successful fundraising. To that end, I am happy to report that we raised $1,200,894 during 2023-2024 and that 99% of the donations were earmarked for scholarships, professional development of employees, program needs and other College necessities. Our annual contributions, combined with earnings from endowments, made it possible for the Foundation to provide more than $1.4 million to the College to support students and educational programs.

Both the College and the Foundation have experienced notable achievements during 2023-2024 that are highlighted in this report. As much as we are proud of each and every one of our successes, we know that we do not do this work alone. Your donations have played a critical role in our efforts to encourage economic growth and strengthen our community through an educated workforce, and we are forever grateful for your support. Together, we are making a difference.

Sincerely,

Courtney White Executive Director

FUNDING SOURCES

TCTC Foundation, Inc.

THE FOUNDATION’S NUMBERS

FAMILY AND FRIENDS REMEMBERED

The Tri-County Technical College Foundation received 17 honor/memorial gifts totaling $5,050 during 2023-2024.

$39,759,361

$39,855,738

Vulcan’s South Carolina leadership team, led by Elliott Botzis, vice president and general manager, and Zach Plasters, vice president of operations, recently visited TCTC to affirm the company’s contribution and met with President Galen DeHay and Courtney White, TCTC Foundation executive director, along with program instructors and students.

Vulcan Materials Company’s Lead Gift

SUPPORTS EXPANSION OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Vulcan Materials Company continued its support of the College’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program with a major lead gift for program expansion to meet workforce needs.

Vulcan’s donation will enable the College to obtain training equipment similar to what students will see on work sites and eventually fund a full-time instructor for the program. Currently classes are taught by adjunct instructors.

“This career pathway is crucial to our industry, and TCTC is helping lead the way with this operator training program,” said Elliott Botzis, vice president and general manager and a member of Vulcan’s South Carolina leadership team.

The national credential-based HEO training is meeting the critical workforce needs in road construction, commercial construction, mining, and transportation companies in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties and throughout the Upstate. Tri-County’s program gives individuals the basic skills so they can understand and learn to safely operate heavy equipment.

“This short-term training can lead to long-term careers for area residents,” said TCTC President Galen DeHay.

PROGRAM

“With just an eight-week training commitment, these individuals will be qualified for in-demand, entry-level jobs at local companies,” said Dr. Rick Cothran, retired dean of TCTC’s Corporate and Community Education programs. “This is a great partnership.”

Prior to graduating from the HEO program, students showcase their skills for regional employers at a rodeo with the potential to receive a job offer.

“We are drastically changing lives with this program by quickly putting people to work in jobs that pay a sustainable wage,” said Ron Bryant, transportation program director. “It’s a true investment in our community.”

“This is the first step in a career pathway that, over time, can lead to a lucrative lifetime profession,” added Bonnie Spencer, human resources manager for Vulcan.

John Richard (Buck) Fulp, Jr., chairman of the Abney Foundation for 63 years, believed in giving back to his community. He was a businessman, a benefactor and a philanthropist, whose generosity has provided countless student scholarships and funds for employee development at Tri-County Technical College for more than three decades.

Fulp, who also served as president of Abney Mills for many years, passed away June 17, 2024.

One of the College’s strongest supporters, the Abney Foundation is the single largest contributor to date and is the only donor to ever make a one-time gift of $1 million. To date, since its first gift in 1989, the Abney Foundation has donated $4,830,000 for student scholarships, technology needs and professional development for faculty and staff.

“For 35 years, the Abney Foundation has been providing resources to Tri-County’s students, faculty, and staff to help them achieve their educational goals. Each time the Abney trustees make a contribution, they are having an enduring impact on human lives and on their community,” said Courtney White, executive director of TCTC’s Foundation.

“The Abney Foundation is recognized as a truly transformative donor in the College’s history,” said TCTC President Galen DeHay. “No other foundation, individual, or company has contributed so generously to the TCTC Foundation.”

Established in 1957, the mission of The Abney Foundation is to aid organizations that are operated exclusively for educational, religious, charitable, scientific, and literary purposes. The highest priority is placed on higher education.

Fulp’s relationship with the College began when he met the late Dr. Don C. Garrison, who was president of TCTC from 1971 until his retirement in 2003. As a result of this meeting, the Abney Foundation

has given consistently to Tri-County, helping hundreds of students each year to attain their educational goals.

The first donation was in 1989 for $150,000 to establish the Abney Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund which is now the Hayden Abney Fulp Memorial Scholarship Fund. In 1998, The Abney Foundation was named the Philanthropist of the Year by the Tri-County Technical College Foundation.

In December 2001, the College received (at the time) its largest financial gift ever—$1 million dollars from the Abney Foundation. This gift was given to name Hayden Abney Fulp Hall in memory of Fulp’s son, 21-year-old Hayden, a student at Tri-County who was tragically killed in an automobile accident. A plaque, in memory of Hayden, hangs on the third floor of the building.

In 2004, Abney invested in training health care technicians by contributing $120,000 to purchase three human patient simulators, which are teaching tools designed to look and respond like real patients. Abney gave an additional $50,000 in 2014 for simulation equipment. In addition to supporting scholarships and equipment, Abney has funded professional development opportunities for faculty and staff through endowments.

“Scholarship, employee development and technology endowments are keys to Tri-County’s continued role in sustaining economic development,” said President DeHay.

“The Abney Foundation invests in the local community, and this helps individuals to meet their dreams and goals. Without this funding, we couldn’t do it. We appreciate this partnership which helps us to meet our goal of transforming lives in our community. We see the return on your investment every day,” said Dr. DeHay.

Honoring John Richard (Buck) Fulp, Jr.:

BUSINESSMAN, BENEFACTOR, PHILANTHROPIST

TCTC Foundation, Inc.

Horton Establishes Scholarship Horton, Inc., located in Westminster, made a $20,000 donation to TCTC’s Foundation to establish a scholarship endowment for Oconee County residents who are Engineering and Industrial Technology students at TCTC.

Pictured from left are Courtney White, executive director of TCTC’s Foundation; Cordell Deitz, Horton CEO; TCTC President Galen DeHay; Terryl (Terry) Gilberstadt, vice chair, Horton board of trustees; Lynn Brown, Horton board of trustees member; and Kellie Boone, corporate recruiting manager for Horton and a TCTC alumna.

Timken Foundation Makes Donation to Support CDL Equipment at Watkins Center

The Timken Foundation made a $25,000 donation to the TCTC Foundation to purchase a commercial truck driver (CDL) simulator for the truck driving classes offered at Watkins Community Center in Honea Path.

On December 16, 2023, Timken Plant Manager Todd Kingsbury, left, and Human Resources Manager Kendrick Meekins, fourth from left, presented the check on behalf of the Timken Foundation. Pictured from left are Courtney White, executive director of the TCTC Foundation; President Galen DeHay; and Bryan Manuel, dean of Integrated Workforce Solutions at TCTC.

The first CDL class in Honea Path was held in December 2023.

Celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day

National Lineworker Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on April 18 and honors the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers.

Duke Energy celebrated its partnership with TCTC by presenting a $30,000 check to College officials in support of the Power Line Worker program.

Heidelberg Supports Heavy Equipment Operator Program

TCTC’s Foundation received a $50,000 donation from Heidelberg Materials toward their $100,000 pledge to support the College’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program. Heidelberg’s contribution, its first to TCTC, will assist with the purchase of training equipment and marketing the HEO program in the College’s service area.

The program, offered through Corporate and Community Education, involves a total of 339 hours of training. Students gain hands-on training on multiple types of heavy construction equipment that replicates real-life operating scenarios.

Pictured from left to right are Ron Bryant; Courtney White; President Galen DeHay; Allen Hartranft, Heidelberg’s S.C. operations manager; Jared Wendell, Heidelberg’s regional human resources manager; Mary Corley; and Dr. Rick Cothran.

FOUNDATION DONORS

The Tri-County Technical College Foundation Board and staff are grateful to you, our donors, for the support you have given us. This list recognizes donors who made gifts to the Tri-County Technical College Foundation between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Every effort has been made to correctly list each donor. If you find an omission or incorrect listing, please call the Foundation Office at (864) 646-1809 or 1-866-269-5677 (within the 864 area code), Ext. 1809. You also can send an email to dnelms@tctc.edu.

Benefactor’s Club

($100,000 and Over)

Abney Foundation

Gene Haas Foundation

Vulcan Material Company Foundation

Partner’s Club

($50,000 - $99,999.99)

Cornell Dubilier

Heidelberg Materials

David C. Wakefield, III

Ambassador’s Club

($25,000 - $49,999.99)

BASF ECMS

David and Claudia Boles

Bosch Community Fund on behalf of Local Bosch Partners

Pete and Sally Smith Foundation Trust Timken Foundation of Canton

Pacesetter’s Club

($10,000 - $24,999.99)

AnMed

Anne J. Gambrill Foundation

AT&T Foundation

Christ Community Church Development Corporation of Anderson County

Carol S. Garrison

Harper Corporation

Horton, Inc.

Grant and Brenda Mattison

Oconee Federal Charitable Foundation

Judy Schneider

South Carolina Broadcasters Association

The Foundation for Geriatric Education

W. C. English Foundation

Honors Club

($5,000 - $9,999.99)

Arthrex, Inc.

Judy M. Darby

Dr. Galen DeHay

Clifford Feierabend

First Citizens Bank

HMR Veterans Services

Kathie O. Jones

Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Brock M. Lusk

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects

Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital

South State Bank

Student Nurse’s Association

Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation

Merit Club

($2,500 - $4,999.99)

Atlanta Consulting Group

Jon and Bonnie Bachman

Julie M. Beard

Mike and Brenda Cannon

Michelin

Dr. and Mrs. Jim Mullikin

Oconee Economic Alliance

Robinson Funeral Homes

Rotary Club of Anderson

Scansource Charitable Foundation

Sealevel Systems, Inc.

Jim and Marjorie Smith

Thrift Brothers

President’s Club

($1,000 - $2,499.99)

Anderson County Woman’s Club

Timothy Bowen

David W. Bucy

Carolina Beer Company, Inc.

Craig and Ala Chappelear

Clemson Area Retirement Center, Inc.

Dan and Missy Cooper

D. L. Scurry Foundation

Dr. Thomas M. Dixon

Dr. and Mrs. Ralph D. Elliott

Dr. Amanda L. Elmore

Lisa R. Finley

Cara Hamilton

Mikkel A. Hansen

Harris Integrated Solutions

Butch and Beth Harris

Home Builders Association of Anderson

Butch and Cindy Hughes

Alvin and Sandra Hurt

James Kenyon

Kim, Lahey & Killough Law Firm

James R. King

Robert B. King

Ron King

LS3P

Dr. Timothy R. Marshall

Lyn Merchant

Hamid and KD Mohsseni

Ted and Veta New

Ralph E. Nix

John and Joyce Powell

Dr. Valerie R. Ramsey Hendricks

Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.

Emma J. Robinson

S. C. Upstate Equine Council

Segra

Norman C. Sharp

Spinks Family Foundation

The Budd Group

Upstate Federal Credit Union

Upstate Vet

Vertiv

Walmart #6463

Jim and Kim Wanner

Brian and Courtney White

Al and Judith Young

Cornerstone Club

($500 - $999.99)

Trent and Erica Acker

Colonel and Mrs. James W. Alexander

Anderson Beverage Outlet

Kenneth Baxter

Dr. Jackie Blakley

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Dr. and Mrs. Ronnie L. Booth

BorgWarner

Clifford Brown

Richard and Tina Burton

Ben and Shirley Cagle

Cathy Cole

Jenni E. Creamer

Crosswinds Animal Hospital

Dr. Mark Dougherty

David Eisenberg

Fetch Specialty and Emergency Veterinary Center

Stacey D. Frank

Melanie Gillespie

H3 Marketing

Ben and Sally Hagood

Jane R. Harris

Linda Jameison

John Jones Construction, Inc.

William Jones

Mandy Karaganov

Mr. and Dr. Charles T. King, Jr.

Dr. Thomas O. Lawrence

Dr. Chris Marino

Heidi Mathis

S. David and Eleanor Miller

Minority Health Coalition

Debbie Nelms

Newspring Church Clemson

Park National Bank

Pendleton Rhinos

Karen K. Potter

Jennifer Rae

Helen Rosemond-Saunders

S. C. Association of Veterinarians

S. C. Technical Education Association

Seneca Golden Corner Rotary

Alexandria Stathakis

Cathy Strasser

The Liberty Family Pharmacy Charitable Fund

The Trafalgar Group LLC

Urban League of the Upstate

Walhalla Woman’s Club

Sherri N. White

Gene E. Williams

Marlo Woodward

Mike Worley

Tasheka Wright

Century Club

($100 - $499.99)

Daniel Adams

Janet Addis

Cheryl Aguero

Kerri Anderson

Ted Anderson

Anonymous

Stuart Antrim

L. Curtis and Maranda Arnold

Andrea W. Barnett

Dr. Tarannum Basher

John F. Beleskas

Terri Ann Belk

George and Nancy Bennett

Big V Automotive

Amanda D. Blanton

Mike D. Blizzard

Larry Bowens

Frances Richmond Boyce

Mike and Kristi Brock

Beth Brown

Joshua Brown

Major LeShawn Brown

Karen C. Bryson

Dr. and Mrs. Phil Buckhiester

Carol E. Burdette

Lori Burkett

Beth Byars

Carolinas Wealth Management, Inc.

Keri Catalfomo

Jonathan and Lucy Cauthen

Marla Y. Cobb

Stan and Susan Compton

Linda M. Conwell

Dr. Rick Cothran

Dr. James R. Couch

Tamara Criffield

Michael Cunningham

James and Jane Current

Meredith Dickens

Travis Durham

Rebecca Eidson

Julie A. Ellington

Rodney Estrada

Tracy L. Ethridge

Corey H. Evans

George Fiori

First Four

Tracy Floyd

Adley Fontenot

Tracy Grate

John and Carolyn Gregory

Gregory’s Boutique

Heather Hall

Mandy G. Hanks

Ashley Harbin

Katy Hardy

Jason Hart

Abigail Heinz

Katelyn Hubbard

Thomas and Taylor Hudgins

Paul Hyde

Amy Jennings

August Johnson

Grayson and Andrea Kelly

Suzanne Konieczny

Ken and Lisa Kopera

Christy S. Lawless

Henry Laws

Casey Renee Lewis

Som Linthicum

Robin Long

Angel S. Luper

Bryan and Tracy Manuel

Marcus D. Brown Funeral Home, Inc.

Martin Veterinary Services

Baylee Masonoff

Ruth Masters

Amanda McAbee

Dr. Beverly McAdams

Carrie McCaslin

Laura McClain

Hubert McClure

Debra McCormick

Madisyn Morris

H. Steve and Quinnette Morrison

TCTC Foundation, Inc.

Amber O’Shields

Brian Page

Donna S. Palmer

Carla Parker

Judith Paulus

Hugh O. Pearson

Krystal Perez

Paul R. Phelps

Pickleball Club at Keowee Key

Crystal Pitrois

Rebecca A. Pokorny

Jennifer Porter

Mark and Heidi Reeves

Clifford Rice

Carl M. Riedl

Clark K. Riley

Rowland Insurance Agency, Inc.

Roylco

W. Burke and Tina Royster

Aline Rubio

Jackie Rutledge

Lisa B. Saxon

Stacey Schiff

Michael Seemuller

Sarah J. Shumpert

David Simmons

Dr. Brian Smith

Jessica R. Smith

Larry and Judy Smith

Mariah Smith

Phil S. Smith

Sophia’s Alterations

Farley Staniec

State of Pendleton

Carolyn Stewart

Dr. and Mrs. Russell K. Street

David and Robyn Taylor

Lillian Taylor

Sherri Teague

Terence Hassan State Farm Insurance

The Peoples Bank

The Scrub Connection LLC

Hunter Thompson

Shera Ann Turner

Upstate Judicial Association

Eric Vallecillo

Precious Vandiver

Joan Venet

Steve Verschaeve

Jeremiah W. Vissage

Tracy Wactor

Diana M. Walter

Sam Watts

Robyn Westmoreland

Scott Wheeler

Bob and Nancy White

Nick Wideman

Colonel and Mrs. Lawrence B. Wilkerson

Shallin Suber Williams

George Wills

Matthew Woodall

John W. Woodson, II

Edward Yokley

Loyalty Club

($.01 - $99.99)

169th Fighter Wing

Lt. Colonel Karim Abdulkhalik

Levi Adams

Billy Albert

Elaine Alexander

Anderson County Board of Education

Katie Anderson

Anonymous

Jeremiah Archie

Gayle Arries

Gary Atkins

James Bailey

Lillian Barfield

Amber Barnes

Raven Bennett

Trey Benton

Dennis and Marilyn Black

Tiffany Blackwell

Tameron Blanding

Courtney Blistyak

Walter Bolden

Tanya Bond

Amy Borders

Kathy Brand

Connie Briley

Melissa Brock

Dr. Elizabeth Bryan

Diana Burdette

Reverend Manus Caldwell

W. Chris Caldwell

Britt Callahan

Coni Campbell

Rachel Campbell

Alicia D. Cantu

Mallory Carroll

Billy Carson

David Carter

Dee Dee Cato

Carolyn Cheeks

City of Anderson

Anthony Conti

Marsha Cox

Amy Cromer

Sidney Cromer

Brady C. Cross

Sandra Dacus

Alice Daigneault

Bernadette Daigneault

Emerald Dalton

Raeneeva Davis

DeLisa Dawkins

Denise Day

Jimmy and Betty Dean

Terri Deese

Rayen Dolton

Gayla Dominova

DP3

Wilson Dunford

Mary G. Dunkel

Kaylyn Durham

Lauren Durrance

Carol Dyar

Alex Eaton

Jimmy and Betty Edmonds

Rami El Badawi

Ashley Enderle

Laurie Epps

Martha Ervin

Alexandra M. Fiscus

Carissa Foster

Miranda Crawley Fowler

Jessica Foxworth

Brandon Frady

Marshall Franks

Christina Fredericks

Daphne Freeman

Virginia Gamble

Elizabeth Y. Gambrell

Cynthia H. Gantt

Lisa T. Garrett

Mary Geren

Andrew Gerwig

Adam Ghiloni

Annette Ghiloni

Evan Gillespie

Abigail Goforth

Pete Granger

Dr. Chad A. Gregory

Dana Griffith

Marcus Guess

Robert and Lara Halfacre

Chris Halk

Jessica Haning

Lorraine Harding

Catherine Hardy

Frank Harling

Hope Harrison

Stephanie Heath

Glenn and Nancy Hellenga

Vickie Henderson

Spencer Heringa

Mary L. Heyer

Dr. Sharon Homer-Drummond

Gracie Howard

Rosemary T. Howlin

Anthony Imms

Stephan and Heather Irwin

Averie Johnson

Brett K. Johnson

Croslena Johnson

Kayla Johnson

Shailaya Johnson

Kari Jones

Mystic Jordan

Will Kanipe

Laura Kaufmann

Gregory Kelley

Jason Kilpatrick

David King

Stacey King

Charles Knight

Marissa Knox

Jason Kohlmayer

Jade Krankowsky

Cynthia Kwietniewski

Libby LaFleur

Nora Lane

Dr. Penelope Laws

Marcia R. Leake

Angela LeBrun

Bill Leverette

Jeannine Linder

David Little

Richard Macbeth

Ken Mann

Marathon 2015 LLC Liquor Express

LouAnn Martin

Ingryd Masters

Ashley Matney

Gerald Maxie

Jeremy McCracken

Jimmy McGill

Keileigh McMurray

Valerie Meador

Tanty Meier

Microsoft Rewards

Scott and Cindy Miller

Antonella Mitta

Austin Modica

Tanya L. Monreal

David Moore

Tasha N. Morgan

Lou Moritz

Amber Mulkey

Lori Mulzer

Les Murrell

Jack Neal

Michael D. Nemchek

Jennifer Newendyke

Kelsey A. Newman

Crystal Noble

Vicky Norbert

Debbie Norris

Malaya Norris

Jason Norton

Erica Noyes

Jaclyn K. O’Rorke

Mourning Pace

Ellen Pate

Jennifer Pinion

Kyle Powell

Susanna Powers

Dr. April White Pugh

Vedamudalige Rajakaruna

Christianna Rankin

Faith Rankin

Kimberly Rawls

Samuel Ray

Antonia Reutas

Hailey Ricketts

Rachel Ristine

Alfred and Sarah Robinson

Sandra N. Roddey

Adrienne L. Schrader

Deserae Schreiber

Adrienne Shepard

Hannah Shuler

Patricia W. Simes

Matthew Simon

Owen J. Simpson

Sara Simpson

Stacy Smith

Rachel Spencer

Hope Stacy

Madison Stillwell

Ted Stokes

Sandra P. Strickland

Tammy Strite

Kristi Sullivan

Heather Swaminathan

Tony Swaney

Lauren Tarbert

Kitzie Taylor

Mia Tensley

Ellissa Thompson

Melanie A. Thorne

Leslie Thrasher

Cindy Trimmier-Lee

Devona Tucker

Trini Tumlin

Luisariel Valentin

Alyssa Vallecillo

Chalmers Van Deusen

Luke VanWingerden

Ashley Vaughan

Mary Anne Vaughn

Tyler Vaughn

Lizette Villegas-Salas

Carolyn Walker

Elizabeth Wallace

Angela Ward

Bobby R. Watt

Carol S. Watts

Meredith Wheeler

Steve White

Matthew Whitten

Anita Wiley

Jimmie Wills

Tiffany Wilmoth

Jacob Wood

Kaitlyn Wood

Jennifer Woody

Josh and Lara Wrightson

Marianne A. Yohannan

Maria Clemencia Zambrano-Wilson

Joan Zangas

Hannah Zelasko

Dr. Kyra Zhang

Matching Gift Donors

Abbott Chevron

Duke Energy

Johnson & Johnson

In-Kind Donors

313 Restaurant

Bleckley Inn

Brews on the Alley

Butterfly Ridge Inn

Carolina Beer Company, Inc.

Chattooga Belle Farms

Coca Cola Bottling Company

Dan and Missy Cooper

Dr. Galen DeHay

Denver Downs

Dr. Amanda L. Elmore

Food Lion Feeds

Head-Lee Nursery

Healthy Olive

Lakeside Lodge

Landscape Perceptions

Butch Merritt

Metco Motorsports

Mosquito Authority

Hamid and KD Mohsseni

Oasis Ranch

Pendleton Development Corporation,

LLC

Precision Landscape Management

SICK, Inc.

Smokin’ Pig

Spinx

Stock ‘N Barrel

The Pound Cake Man

Thomas Creek Brewery

Tiger Express Car Wash

TTI Power Equipment

Walhalla Steak House

Diana M. Walter

Anonymous Donor Honors Mentor

BY ESTABLISHING SCHOLARSHIP

Nearly 30 years ago, a veteran licensed practical nurse took a newly-graduated registered nurse under her wing on AnMed’s 6 South floor and on a daily basis set an example of what it is like to be a model health care professional.

That young nurse, who after years of hospital experience is now a nurse educator, has anonymously honored Ms. Etha Mae Boseman by establishing a memorial scholarship in her mentor’s name at TCTC. Ms. Boseman, an Anderson native, passed away February 13, 2017, at age 74.

The Boseman Practical Nursing Scholarship at TCTC is awarded each year to a student who is either pursuing a Practical Nursing degree at TCTC or who is already an LPN and enrolled in the College’s associate degree Nursing (RN) program.

“I want to give back to a career that has given so freely to me,” said the donor. “It’s a way to honor Ms. Boseman, who spent 37 years at AnMed as an LPN. She was an old school diploma nurse, who trained me and countless other nurses during her career,” she said.

“I met her on the 6 South med surg unit, and after orientation I was placed on night shift and worked alongside her for three years. My love for LPNs came from my relationship with her and by observing her,” said the donor, who holds BSN and MSN degrees. “I learned how important team nursing is. I never knew what our relationship would mean until I became an LPN nurse educator myself.”

“She showed me and other RNs the value of an LPN,” said the donor.

Ms. Boseman’s greatest skill was connecting to patients and co-workers, said the donor. “I say to students, ‘There’s textbook nursing and there is real-life nursing.’ Ms. Boseman was a real-life nurse.”

She said Ms. Boseman made her appreciate the wisdom of older nurses and the collaboration between LPNs and RNs and influenced her as a nurse and an educator.

“I modeled myself after her. I’m not an LPN by profession but I certainly gained a deep respect for the work of the LPN. I can relate because my mentor taught me to relate. She was the kind of nurse I want my students to be.”

Ms. Boseman never left the donor’s mind throughout her career and it was a church sermon that prompted her to contemplate leaving a legacy, like Ms. Boseman did. “I asked myself, ‘What is my legacy in nursing?’ I want people to think I made a difference like Ms. Boseman. I want to influence my students like Ms. Boseman influenced me,” she said.

“Supporting TCTC’s Foundation by creating a scholarship to honor my mentor is a way to give back to students who need that extra push financially; it’s a way of addressing an immediate need. What better way to do so than to honor my beloved friend and mentor?”

If you are interested in supporting an existing student scholarship or starting a new fund, contact Beth Brown at cbrown63@tctc.edu or (864) 646-1372.

TCTC Foundation, Inc.

TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC., BOARD MEMBERS

Kym Cleveland (Chair) President/Owner, Liquid Properties, LLC

Trent Acker

Government and Community Relations District Manager, Duke Energy

Susan Borcherts

Facility Personnel Manager, Michelin

Craig Chappelear Realtor, Chappelear & Associates, Inc.

Joel Davis President, J. Davis Construction

Galen DeHay, Ph.D. (ex officio) President, Tri-County Technical College

Dial DuBose Managing Partner, Nalley Commercial Properties

Lucas Durham President, Landscape Perceptions

Dave Eldridge CEO, Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation

Michael Fee

Former Co-Owner, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.

James Galyean Managing Member, MSE Group, LLC

Emily Ballenger Holland (Vice Chair) President and CEO, H3 Marketing

Bill Harley (Treasurer) Senior Vice President, First Citizens Bank

Ben Hagood

Retired Senior Vice President, South State Bank

Cara Hamilton (ex officio) Vice President for Business Affairs, Tri-County Technical College

Lorraine Harding Owner, Lorraine Harding Real Estate

Marcia Hydrick President, Thrift Brothers, Inc.

Grayson Kelly

Senior Vice President for Government and Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative

William Kenley CEO, AnMed

Teddy Martin, DMD Dentist, Hare & Martin, PA

Melanie McLane (ex officio) Director of Human Resources, Arthrex

Hamid Mohsseni (ex officio) President, Anderson Restaurant Group

Veta New, Ph.D. Chief Academic Officer, Virtucom

Curtis T. Evatt (Secretary) President, Oconee Federal Savings and Loan Association

Tom O’Hanlan CEO, Sealevel Systems, Inc.

Chris Robinson President, Robinson Funeral Homes and Memorial Gardens

Ted Spitz Retired Attorney at Law

Alisa Suddeth Executive Liaison and Director of Human Resources, ASE Private Wealth

Anne Thayer Owner, Thayer Properties, LLC and Thayer Commercial Properties, LLC

Jim Wanner (ex officio) President and CEO, KeyMark

Mike Worley Senior Product Development Manager, Itron

Danny Youngblood President, Youngblood Development Corporation

TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.

The Foundation works to create awareness within the community of the financial needs of the College not met by state or federal support and to implement a plan by which these financial needs can be met through private gifts. To fulfill these purposes, the Foundation institutes an organized program for obtaining support from alumni, friends, faculty and staff, corporations, organizations, and private foundations. In addition to soliciting major gifts for the College, the Foundation accepts, holds, invests, reinvests, and administers any gifts, bequests, and grants in money or property given to the Foundation.

WAYS TO GIVE

The Tri-County Technical College Foundation is grateful to donors who support the College and its vision to transform lives and build strong communities. One of the ways to make a lasting impact is through planned giving.

Rita Rao and her husband, Bob, have named Tri-County Technical College as the beneficiary on an annuity they set up after moving to the Upstate after years of living in Los Angeles, California. They met with Seneca attorney Jim Williams, a former TCTC Foundation Board member, to talk about making their estate planning compliant with SC law. In conversation, they learned about Tri-County’s Foundation and its philanthropic efforts. “Jim is such a great ambassador for TCTC. Everything he said made sense to us so we toured the College and were sold. I met with President DeHay and he was so sharp and dedicated. I said I’d like to get to know the College better, be a part of its philanthropy, and spread the Tri-County story.”

Here are some of the ways you can contribute to the overall success of our students, employees and communities:

• Cash

• Online Giving

• Non-cash (goods and services)

• Employer Matching Gift

• Securities

• Real Estate

• Life Insurance

• Retirement Plans

• Trusts and Annuities

• Bequests

To learn more, visit tctc.edu/give or call 864-646-1372.

• Naming Opportunities

• Scholarships

• Endowments

ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2023 – 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

DeLisa Dawkins, MBA, CAP, Program Director, Administrative Office Technology, Tri-County Technical College

ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS ISSUES

Croslena Broadwater-Johnson, Director, Student Support Programs, Tri-County Technical College

ARTS & SCIENCES

Matthew Simon, Department Head for Internal Partnerships, Tri-County Technical College

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Bill Leverette, Program Director, Automotive Technology, Tri-County Technical College

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

Denise Bailey, Principal, Business Systems Consulting Practice Leader, Elliott Davis

CNC PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONS

Truman Nicholson, Engineering Associate, Machining and Technical Services, Clemson University

COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING

Ron Bryant, Transportation Program Director, TriCounty Technical College

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Karen Carter, Executive Director, Clemson Community Care

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

John Morrison, Security Engineer, Cisco

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Drew Sisco, Captain, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION

Shannon Vaughn, Director, SHARE Head Start, TCTC ECE Adjunct Faculty

ENGINEERING DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Bryan Batten, Owner, Palmetto Precision Machining, Inc.

ENGINEERING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

Matt Varney, Electrician, JR Automation

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

William Tatum, NRP, Prisma Health - Oconee Campus EMS

EXPANDED DUTY DENTAL ASSISTING

Dr. Collin Bryant, Southern Pediatric Dentistry

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING

Charlie Dickerson, Executive Director of Facilities and Campus Safety, Anderson University

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Ron Bryant, Transportation Program Director, TriCounty Technical College

INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE

Dr. Mark Moore, DVM, Seneca Animal Hospital

MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Mike Webber, Milliken Certified Performance Solutions Practitioner, Milliken & Company, Gerrish Mill (Retired)

MECHATRONICS

Alan Johnson, Senior Associate Development Specialist, Robert Bosch Anderson

MEDIA ARTS PRODUCTION

Mr. Michael “Pork Chop” Branch, Morning Show Host/Operations Manager, 92.1 WLHR Georgia Carolina Radiocasting

MEDICAL ASSISTING

Jan Haguewood Gibbs, CMA (AAMA), ST, Lecturer, Tri-County Technical College

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

Emily Southerland, Lab Education and Safety Coordinator, AnMed

NURSING

Jackie Rutledge, Nursing Department Head, TriCounty Technical College

POWER LINE WORKER

Ron Bryant, Transportation Program Director, TriCounty Technical College

PRE-PHARMACY

Donny W. Winkler, M.S., Program Director, Tri-County Technical College

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

Sandra Williams, AS, CST, Lecturer, Surgical Technology Program, Tri-County Technical College

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

Dr. James Mullikin, DVM, (Retired)

WELDING

Scott Hightower, Instructor, Welding, Hamilton Career and Technology Center

TCTC Commission

TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE EXECUTIVE STAFF

Members of the Executive Staff (standing from left) Karen Potter, senior director of strategic communication and engagement; Dan Cooper, chief of staff; Rhonda Gibby, vice president of human resources; Cara Hamilton, vice president of business affairs; and Courtney White, executive director of the TCTC Foundation; and (seated from left) Sarah Shumpert, associate vice president of organizational development and planning; Dr. Chris Marino, director of institutional effectiveness; Dr. Galen DeHay, president; Dr. Mandy Elmore, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development; and Linda Jameison, vice president of student support and engagement.

Thomas F. Strange Pickens County

Melanie McLane Pickens County

James P. “Jim” Kaplan Secretary, Pickens County

J. Allard “Al” Young Anderson County

James D. “Jim” Wanner Vice Chair, Pickens County

John M. Powell Oconee County

Leon “Butch” Harris Anderson County

Helen P. Rosemond-Saunders Oconee County

Hamid R. Mohsseni Chair, Anderson County

TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND TCTC

1

Highest student success rate among the state’s 16 technical colleges.

2

Ranked in the top 1% nationally for successful student transfer to four-year colleges/universities.

4

Lowest tuition in the Upstate and second lowest in the S.C. Technical College System.

3

Financial aid packages that cover nearly the full cost of tuition.

5

Support services that help students balance school and work.

Pendleton Campus 7900 SC Highway 76 Pendleton, SC 29670 864-646-TCTC (8282)

Easley Campus 1774 Powdersville Road Easley, SC 29642 864-220-8888

tctc.edu

Anderson Campus 511 Michelin Boulevard Anderson, SC 29625 864-260-6700

Oconee Campus 552 Education Way Westminster, SC 29693 864-613-1900

Mailing Address

Tri-County Technical College P. O. Box 587 Pendleton, SC 29670

Tri-County Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Tri-County Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Tri-County Technical College does not discriminate in admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, qualifying disability, veteran’s status, age, or national origin.

@tctcedu