Professional Development Day

Professional Development Day offered a variety of development opportunities that provided information for our full-time employees and adjunct instructors.

Humorous motivational speaker Charles Marshall presented two sessions about creating success with extraordinary customer service and how our iCARE standards are critical to our success.

Physical Plant Director Ken Kopera led sessions titled “Academic Buildings: The Next Phase.” As we turn our efforts to revitalizing our academic buildings, attendees were asked to share their thoughts and views on how to make vintage facilities (Pickens Hall, Anderson Hall, Oconee Hall, Wilson Hall, for example) the best they can be.

Mark Vickery, information systems/business analyst, and Kate Baggett, our new IT consultant, both standing, delivered a session about the current technology in the TCTC classrooms and tips to prevent technology from sabotaging your class. Attendees also learned about the new Flexible Learning Experience.

Are You Hostage to Your Digital Habits? was the title of IT Manager Luke VanWingerden’s session that focused on digital habits and how to reclaim your time and attention.

Faculty and staff packed both sessions of the interactive and informative “Walking in the Shoes of an Individual with Dyslexia facilitated by Heidi Bishop (not pictured).

Articulation Agreement with South University Gives ADN Grads Avenue to BSN

The College signed an articulation agreement with South University February 24, giving Associate Degree Nursing graduates yet another avenue to earn a BSN degree.

Dr. DeHay and Dr. Karl Sterner, president of South University’s Columbia Campus, signed an Associate’s to Bachelor’s Degree Program Agreement allowing graduates of Tri-County’s Nursing program to transfer to South University, and, over the course of a year, complete requirements for a BSN degree while working as Registered Nurses in the area.

Flexibility and affordable tuition are two of the benefits of the agreement. Beginning this fall, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) graduates can work full time while taking a mix of online and in-person classes on our campus. Individuals accepted into the program would pay $199 per credit hour.

Dr. DeHay said, “Our Associate Degree Nursing graduates are prepared to immediately enter the workforce, but we continue to make a concerted effort to create pathways that will allow them to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, should they choose to do so, without loss of time, credits, or money.”

Dr. Sterner stated, “The goal of increasing student experiences, successes, and persistence will be met by this partnership of providing a timely and equitable hybrid cohort program for ADN students realizing their BSN degrees.”

The agreement with South University is designed for Tri-County ADN alumni who are working as RNs. Current ADN students who will graduate this spring may apply during their final semester at Tri-County.

“We are always seeking opportunities for our students to continue their success after Tri-County. This agreement provides another great opportunity for our students to progress in an affordable, accessible, and convenient pathway,” said Jenni Creamer, assistant vice president for College Transitions.

“This new affiliation/partnership will streamline the process and offer an additional pathway for ADN graduates to pursue their RN to BSN degree,” said Jackie Rutledge, associate degree nursing department head at Tri-County.

Applications are being accepted now for the program. For more information, contact Jackie Rutledge, associate degree nursing department head at Tri-County, at 646-1338 or jrutledg@ tctc.edu, or Kristen Karasek, director of the Bridge Programs and Educational Partnerships at Tri-County, at 646-1683 or kkarasek@tctc.edu. President Galen DeHay, right, and Dr. Karl Sterner, president of South University’s Columbia Campus, signed an Associate’s to Bachelor’s Degree Program Agreement allowing graduates of Tri-County’s Nursing program to transfer to South University, and, over the course of a year, complete requirements for a BSN degree while working as Registered Nurses in the area.

Nearly 1,000 Students Benefit from SC Wins Scholarship

Financial Aid Director Adam Ghiloni recently reported that during fall and spring, 1,000 students have received nearly $900,000 in tuition assistance through SC Wins, a statewide technical college scholarship program designed to address workforce shortages by providing tuition for students in three critical workforce areas.