16 minute read
To Associate Degree
CARES Act Provides Funds to Students; Foundation Establishes Workforce Completion Fund
Federal funding for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, were released in April, and Tri-County received a total of $4.2 million, with $2,123,242 dispersed immediately to eligible students.
The CARES Act is federal legislation to provide funding to higher education to lessen the economic hardships that COVID-19 has placed on individuals and families.
Colleges and universities are required to use CARES Act funds to provide grants to students for expenses related to disruptions to their education due to COVID-19, including things like course materials and technology, as well as food, housing, health care, and childcare.
Colleges and universities must use at least 50 percent of funding for direct student aid and up to 50 percent for college operations.
“Our framework was based on two guiding principles: equity and flexibility,” said President DeHay. “Our awards weren’t based on credit hours but on students who need it most. We also were flexible in providing those who have the responsibility to deliver those funds to make professional judgments to increase funding based on student need. I am very proud of that.” Workforce Completion Fund Established
In addition to CARES Act funding, Tri-County has partnered with Bank of America to make additional funds available to students through its newly established Workforce Completion Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support to students whose academic pursuits were affected by the transition from in-person to online learning, unemployment or other life situations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Surgical Technology program will transition from a diploma to an associate degree program this fall.
In keeping with accrediting agencies’ guidelines, all Surgical Technology programs in the United States must convert to a twoyear degree program by August 21, 2021.
Every five years, the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/ STSA) is required to review the profession’s Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Education Programs in Surgical Technology. The new standards prompted the need to require associate degree credentials.
Tri-County’s curriculum change was approved last November by the S.C. Technical College System.
“I’m so excited—this has been a long time coming. We have been working toward this since I joined the College three years ago,” said Denelle White, program director. “Graduates really do need the additional knowledge and skills. “New surgical procedures are developed every day, and technology is advancing so (continued on page 10)
“Thanks to Bank of America for its continued support and generosity in helping us to change lives, one student at a time,” said Grayson Kelly, vice president for institutional advancement and business relations.
The Tri-County Technical College Foundation made a $10,000 gift to the fund, and the College has pledged up to $100,000 in matching dollars.
“At Tri-County, we are committed to our vision of changing lives, one student at a time,” said Grayson. “The Workforce Completion Fund has been established by donors who understand that community college students are different and have different needs. Many of our students are non-traditional, working full-time jobs and raising families. It is important that we meet our students where they are and offer them the support they need to stay on track academically so that they can continue to meet the goals they set prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Workforce Completion Fund aims to do just that. It will provide resources to students whose educational journey and life have been altered due to this pandemic.”
quickly. Additional classes will prepare our graduates for today’s workplace and help to ensure quality patient care and optimal
OurCollegeFamily
in transition
Tim Bowen, director of our Anderson Campus since 2009, has been promoted to Senior Director, Community Campuses. In this role, Tim will lead the Anderson, Easley, and Oconee campus teams as they support and collaborate with Tim Bowen all TCTC employees to deliver the Transformative Student Experience for students pursuing their academic goals at these campuses.
In addition to his new role, Tim also will serve as Director of the Easley Campus. Tim Jared will continue to serve as Director of the Oconee Campus.
Som Linthicum has been promoted to Assistant Director of the Learning Commons. As our Associate Librarian, Som will continue his work as the lead Learning Services Librarian. The additional responsibilities for programing and staffing will allow him to more fully support the mission and vision of the Learning Commons in building extra- and co-curricular experiences that support student learning outside of the classroom.
Croslena Broadwater-Johnson takes on an updated leadership role as Director of Student Support. This area includes Wellness Programs and the Accessibility Resource Center, and she will continue to collaborate with offices across all campuses to connect students with programs and services from the College and our local community.
Karen Potter has been named Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement. Karen joined the College’s Institutional Advancement team April 2. In her role, she directs the College’s marketing, public relations, branding and communications efforts. She also works with President DeHay on both internal and external communications and in Karen Potter ensuring that services and programs align with the College’s mission, vision, and values. Karen serves as a member of the College’s Executive Leadership Team.
She joins Tri-County after working in corporate communications for both health care and manufacturing.
For the past two and one-half years, she served as Manager of Plant Communications for BMW Manufacturing Company in Greer. Prior to that, she spent 11 years at Prisma Health (formerly Greenville Health System), where she managed the Public Relations Department. She began her career at The Women’s Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where she was the Events and Communications Coordinator.
Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, dean of the Health Education Division, has agreed to serve as interim Vice Croslena BroadwaterPresident of Academic Affairs. Johnson
In this role, Dr. Chaudhry will be responsible for coordinating the work of academic deans and providing administrative responsibility for the Academic Affairs office. He will focus on communication and engagement within the Academic Affairs unit and act as a liaison to the assistant vice president of College Transitions on credit program enrollment matters. He will serve as the designee for all academic matters related to the Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry student code. Dr. Chaudhry also will continue to serve in his role as Dean of the Health Education Division.
She is an adjunct professor in the Communications Department at Anderson University and is a longtime volunteer with the Greenville Literacy Association. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in Communications from Marist College in New York.
She has her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America and is a past President of the organization’s South Carolina chapter. She also is a graduate of the Riley Institute at Furman University’s Diversity Leaders Institute.
She resides in Greenville.
excellence through service
Congratulations to Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of our Business and Public Services Division, who is the recipient of the Mildred Bulpitt Woman of the Year award by the Board of Directors of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. Jackie will be recognized at the annual awards breakfast later this year.
Dr. Chris McFarlin, chair of the public services department and a criminal justice faculty member, has been appointed by the Department of Justice-Office of Dr. Jackie Blakley Dr. Chris McFarlin Laneika Musalini Justice Programs as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Peer Reviewer Bridge Builder Award. Croslena received the Art Hartzog Award for for individuals seeking federal grant funding for their agency’s Programming at a Two-Year Institution or Technical College. missions. He has been classified as an SME in the areas of Law Enforcement and Prosecutorial Initiatives. This is a national appointment.
Congratulations to Director of Grants Laneika Musalini, who representatives for providing outstanding service to students was honored by her professional organization, NCURA, with the and having a passion for helping them to succeed. President 2020 Distinguished Service Award for Region III during an annual DeHay announced the recognition at our livestreaming spring business meeting. convocation held April 30.
Jenni Creamer, assistant vice president for college transitions, and Croslena Johnson, director of student support, were honored by the SC College Personnel Association for their service to our students. Jenni was awarded the Paul P. Fidler
Congratulations to Jan Gibbs, adjunct Medical Assisting instructor, who is the recipient of the 2020 Student Advocate Award. She was chosen by the Student Government Association
Croslena Johnson Jenni Creamer Jan Gibbs
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“We found the design on Facebook and downloaded the design from thingiverse. After the preparatory work, 12 hours later we were making and then testing prototypes,” said Mandy.
Once the parts are printed, it becomes a manual process and the assembly is meticulous, Mandy said.
Around 1,000 were 3-D printed, and Dan Cooper, the College’s chief of staff, distributed the gear to EMS agencies, area hospitals, dialysis centers, and other healthcare providers in our area and in neighboring states.
Health Ed Departments Answer Call
A big shout-out to our Campus Police Department who completed state firearms re-qualifications May 13 at the Anderson County pistol range. The officers with the highest scores competed for the first annual TCTC TOP GUN award (best shot). Officer Patrick Krigbaum won the award. He received a plaque and a certificate, and later will receive a sharp shooter lapel he can wear on his uniform until the next year’s competition. Officer Patrick Krigbaum
In observance of the Governor’s mandated stay-at- home order, Mandy said adjunct instructor Foster Sims, a graduate of the College’s General Engineering Technology program, took four small printers to his home and began running them 24/7.
“We have a great team,” said Mandy.
It Takes Teamwork
Brag & Share
Mechatronics Program Director Doug Wilson says “THANK YOU” for all the support and help the Engineering and Industrial Technology Division received in assembling and disseminating lab kits to our Mechatronics students.
Because of the COVID-19 requirements, the F2F lectures and labs for the IMT 224 classes were modified. Part of this modification was for the students to conduct labs in their own homes (Department Head Justin Herndon’s idea), and they needed a kit that contained all of the necessary components for it to happen. The parts were ordered and received by Steve Wallace in Shipping and Receiving , and Josh Wrightson from the Bookstore gathered all the Breadboards (75) that the Bookstore had on-hand to complete the components in the lab kits.
Richard Burton, Mandy Elmore, and Doug Wilson assembled the 75 kits and placed them into a one-gallon Ziploc bag for easy distribution to the students.
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surgical outcomes for patients. We want the competencies of all surgical technologists to be at the highest level. As the Association of Surgical Technologist motto states, ‘Aeger Primo,’ or the patient first,” said Denelle.
Tri-County’s Surgical Technology program prepares students to serve as members of the surgical team through classroom and clinical experiences. Graduates work in hospital operating rooms, in labor and delivery, endoscopy, ambulatory centers, and doctor’s offices, said Denelle.
The rapid rate of advanced technology requires more knowledge and advanced skills to be incorporated into the curriculum.
A video was made by Alan Johnson, TCTC adjunct instructor who works at Bosch, Kim Connor and Doug Wilson staffed the bus stop and distributed the lab kits to the students. “This project shows the teamwork that exists at TCTC, as well as the partnership we have with industry partner Bosch. This project shows how passionate TCTC employees are when it comes to helping our students to succeed in learning and in obtaining new skill sets,” said Doug.
The Team • Mandy Elmore—Dean • Justin Herndon—Department Head • Alan Johnson—TCTC adjunct and Bosch employee • Kim Connor—Mechatronics Instructor • Richard Burton-- Mechatronics Instructor • Josh Wrightson—Bookstore • Lou Moritz—Bookstore • Steve Wallace—Shipping • Doug Wilson—Mechatronics Program Director
In addition to two new Surgical Technology classes—Surgical Procedure and Biomedical Sciences—this fall students will take transfer-level English and math, biology 101, microbiology 225, and anatomy and physiology. General education classes, such as psychology, humanities, and public speaking, now are required.
With the new requirements, if graduates want to pursue a four-year degree in the future, it will be possible because the classes are transferable.
“It’s an additional investment of time for students, and it’s a worthwhile investment,” said Denelle.
The Surgical Technology department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
College Announces Reopening Plan
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“As always, our goal is to maintain a safe and healthy South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control environment while serving our students,” said President DeHay, (DHEC). who outlined a reopening plan during a virtual town hall meeting Phase II is tentatively set to begin August 3. June 4. President DeHay said the re-opening plan will balance safety
He prefaced the meeting by thanking faculty and staff for their with the need to meet our core mission of learning and workforce commitment to students and one another during this prolonged development. “Our mission is so critical to students and our COVID-19 crisis. “I continue to be amazed at the creative ways community. Education serves as a great equalizer, particularly for you deliver learning experiences to our students and how you those who need us most,” he said. serve and support our students and “Our priority is always safety for each other.” everyone while delivering high quality
President DeHay established a At this time, the plan is to offer in-person learning experiences through 2020- COVID-19 Recovery Planning Task Force instruction for the fall term beginning 2021 and to integrate student services led by Sarah Shumpert, and over the August 17. and engagement offerings into all of last few weeks, numerous teams were assembled to develop a reopen plan in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The plan focused on three priorities: Phase II begins July 6, a date that is contingent upon the direction received from President DeHay, the Governor, and the South Carolina Department of Health our programs,” he added.
“This team put together the readiness pieces to ensure that “As employees are allowed to return to work, it is critical for we create a safe environment for the small number of employees everyone—both individually and collectively - to follow the public who returned June 8,” said President DeHay. health guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” Marci
During phase I, students who need to complete the summer added. term will be back on campus June 19—with a limited density (50% During the pre- phase I, campuses were prepped for a room capacity) and physical distancing. safe return. This includes actions like sanitizing, cleaning and This means only faculty- scheduled face-to-face classes - disinfecting of facilities, installing hand sanitizing stations, specifically in-person lectures, instructional labs, and in-person making room alterations to ensure physical distancing, installing computer labs. All other classes will be offered off site (virtually). protective barriers in front-line service areas, and placing signage
In-person student support services will be available by throughout campuses reminding people to maintain six feet of appointment only. Support services will continue to be available distance and to practice proper hand hygiene and respiratory virtually and by phone. etiquette.
During Phase 1, physical distancing requirements will be in Prior to returning to campus, employees will have to complete place, and everyone will be strongly encouraged to wear a cloth an online training course and complete a weekly health symptom face covering when in common areas or when unable to maintain survey. Students will be asked to complete return-to-campus six feet of distance from another person. These safety measures training and review a weekly health and safety screening are consistent with CDC guidelines and other colleges in the area, document. and they will likely remain in place through the fall term. “The health and safety of our employees and students is our
At this time, the plan is to offer in-person instruction for the fall top priority. It is up to each of us to model safe behavior and term beginning August 17. follow the rules,” said President DeHay.
Phase II begins July 6, a date that is contingent upon the A copy of the College’s reopen plan can be found at www.tctc. direction received from President DeHay, the Governor, and the edu/coronavirus.
Marci Leake, associate vice president of human resources, said, “I can’t count all of the ways you have helped to meet the needs of our • Creating a safe on-campus learning and Environmental Control (DHEC). students and I thank you. The way we and working environment Phase II is tentatively set to begin August 3. live and interact has changed and our • Delivering high-quality hybrid work has changed, also.” learning experiences for the 2020- The College will operate under the 2021 academic year (curricular and co-curricular) guidelines of AccelerateSC and the governor and move forward in • Expanding opportunities that integrate student support an appropriate way—with no more than 20% of our employees on and engagement services and resources into academic site to reduce the opportunity of interaction while completing our programs duties, she added.
Anderson Hall Events Center
Facilities Update
Nine capital projects have been underway over the last few months. They include:
Anderson Hall Events Center—500-seat event center with stage, multiple 10’ HD screens, upgraded AV and Wi-Fi capacity. Also features all new HVAC, lighting and dedicated food prep area for events. Completed on time and within budget
Restroom renovation of Fulp, Anderson and Cleveland Halls—on schedule for August and within budget
Fulp Hall classroom upgrade—the design is complete, the bid went out in May, and construction began June 8 with construction completed by July 12. Furniture due for delivery week of July 22.
Ruby Hicks pedestrian safety traffic light—design complete, bids went out in May, and construction to begin in June or July, pending availability of materials (due to COVID-19 outbreak)
Central Plaza access ramp—schematic design complete, bids in August, construction to begin in October
Wilson Hall automotive lab up-fit—The Automotive program will remain in Wilson Hall with the up-fit commencing after the Asphalt Lab has been relocated.
Physical Plant Storage Building—schematic design complete, bids in August, construction in October–February 2021. The Commission voted unanimously at its June 1 meeting to go forward with the 4,200-square -foot steel structure to store inventory and physical supplies.
Two capital projects have experienced delays:
Fulp Hall science lab additions have been delayed due to the supply chain disruption amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The anticipated completion date is October. Student impact will be minimized due to labs not being scheduled for Fall semester.
TTI building project—Asphalt Lab and Enterprise Campus space, which is county funded, have been delayed as well. The Asphalt Lab has been bid and construction has begun with an anticipated completion date of September 7. Anderson County is finalizing the renovation plans for the office space and TCTC Enterprise Campus (business incubator) space at the TTI building. Once the plans are finalized, they will go out for bid. Completion of this work is unknown at this time.
Future Capital Projects that are on hold: • Miller Hall renovation • Oconee Hall renovation on hold due to COVID-19 uncertainty • Chiller loop extension (dependent on Oconee Hall) • Central plaza /accessibility and outdoor space— dependent on Oconee project
