College Commissioner John Powell Receives Award

trained properly and are following the FDA and CDC guidelines for the special extraction and qPCR processes of testing patient samples - which can take 4–5 hours between their arrival and the reporting of results,” she said. Technicians can perform 93 samples at a time. Results are sent electronically to MUSC. “Our MLTs and MTs—we are the front lines, and we are giving it all we have. “It’s our top priority,” she added.

Jamie has worked in the healthcare industry as an ASCPcertified MLT since graduating from Tri-County in 2010. Vanessa Cabrera Dedicates Herself to Tornado Relief Efforts in Seneca

Vanessa Cabrera has dedicated her life to helping people, whether it is working as an LPN at Clemson Downs or as an active member of the National Guard following the April tornado that devastated the town of Seneca and surrounding areas.

For two weeks, the 2019 Practical Nursing graduate went on leave from her third-shift job in long-term care at Clemson Downs and worked 8–12 hour days on active guard duty, clearing roads and handling traffic control as part of tornado relief efforts in Seneca. She also delivered food that area restaurants have

Vanessa Cabrera delivered supplies to those in need in Seneca.

Tri-County Technical College Commissioner John Powell is the recipient of the 2020 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.

Commission Chair Al Young surprised Powell when he made the announcement at the beginning of the June 1 virtual meeting. Powell is a champion and role model for technical college education. A 1972 graduate of Tri-County, he is the second alumnus in the College’s history to serve on its governing board. He has represented Oconee County since 2010 and served as chairman from 2017 until this year.

“If John Powell had not come to Tri-County Technical College, our ollege may not be what it is today,” said Young. “He truly lives our vision.”

Garvin Barker, a member of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, echoed Young’s sentiments during a zoom call. “The impact you have had on Tri-County and the impact that has had on so many students’ lives is something you should be proud of. This is a well-deserved recognition,” said Barker.

John Powell Receives SC Trustee Leadership Award

donated, along with non-perishables, to residents in need.

“I’m happy to help,” she said. “There is a lot of damage. Seeing it up close is even worse than in photos. It’s devastating,” she added. “I’m helping in different ways and both jobs are equally rewarding,” said Vanessa, whose clinical rotation led to a full-time job at Clemson Downs after graduating.

“Tri-County Technical College has been a vehicle not only for me, but all graduates, to excel in our lives and our workplaces. Tri-County helps people to understand what their potential in life is and to achieve it. The College believes in the future of its students and is dedicated to helping them to reach their goals in life,” said Powell.

Powell unselfishly gives his time, efforts, and expertise to support initiatives that promote student success, said Young. A founder and longtime member of the College’s Business Technology Advisory Committee, he provides input into the curriculum to ensure relevancy in today’s ever-changing work environment.

A charter member of the Business-Education-Industry Partnership in Oconee County, he participates in an annual showcase for students to promote career opportunities and how to be successful in the workplace. A longtime activist in his community, Powell helped to establish a Backpack Lunch program to combat child poverty, a domestic violence shelter, and a homeless shelter in his community. In 2012 the Oconee Chamber honored him with the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.

The College has nominated Powell for the American Association of Community College (AACC) Trustees Leadership award. ACCT’s awards program is designed to recognize and honor outstanding community college trustees, equity programs, presidents, faculty members and professional board staff members at regional and national levels.