Connection Newsletter March - April 2023

March/April 2023

Anderson County High School Students Complete New Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Seventeen students representing five Anderson County high schools graduated from TCTC’s new registered pre-apprenticeship program March 17. The program, called Manufacturing Works, is for high school seniors in Anderson County who don’t have an identified path after graduation. It is custom-designed to align with skills sought by local employers and high-quality apprenticeship programs in the region.

Students enrolled in Manufacturing Works attend weekly classes at Tri-County’s Anderson Campus. As part of the program, they have the opportunity to earn one or more industry-recognized

Seventeen students representing five Anderson County high schools graduated from Manufacturing Works, TCTC’s new registered preapprenticeship program March 17. Pictured from left are (front row) Joshua Traynum, Ethan Kennedy, Paul Tench, Manuel Gonzalez Vasquez, Callie Crowther, Cady Styles; and Elizabeth Wallace, Learning Support Coordinator for Academic and Career Foundations; and (back row) Jose Acevedo, Noah Cross, Isaac Fennell, Rylan Starkey, Cabot Black, Tyler Yeargin, Charles Parker, Hayden Hunter.

credentials, such as an OSHA-10 completion card and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. They also have the opportunity to develop both technical and employability skills through hands-on activities with simulated lab experiences and/or through employer partner opportunities. By demonstrating 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.

“Apprenticeships are one of the most productive workforce development tools for our region and one of the many ways Tri-County prepares students for a rewarding career with business and industry,” said Grayson Kelly, vice president of institutional advancement and business relations at Tri-County. “We are proud to partner with Apprenticeship Carolina, Arthrex, First Quality, the Development Corporation of Anderson County, and the Department of Commerce on this important program and to help young talent in our region begin their journey to a rewarding career.”

Manufacturing Works was first piloted with seven students in spring of 2022. Upon completion of the program, one student went on to a four-year university, three enrolled at Tri-County and three joined the workforce.

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is published six times each year by the Office of the President and the Public Relations Department.

Mailing Address (All Campuses)

P. O. Box 587

Pendleton, SC 29670

Pendleton Campus

7900 Highway 76

Pendleton, SC

Anderson Campus

511 Michelin Blvd. Anderson, SC

Easley Campus

1774 Powdersville Rd. Easley, SC

Oconee Campus

552 Education Way Westminster, SC

Main Number

(864) 646-TCTC (8282) Toll-free

1-866-269-5677

tctc.edu

Connecting

Helping People Out of Poverty

April is Community College Month. As our community’s college, our role is to educate highly skilled workers for positions in business and industry, promote economic diversity and prosperity in the communities we serve, and ensure students earn a high-quality credential that leads to a family-sustaining wage.

Earning a high-quality credential that leads to a family-sustaining wage is critical for economic mobility, especially for our distressed communities. Recently, Tri-County and the United Way of Anderson County met to discuss disamenity neighborhoods. A disamenity neighborhood is one that has all the following characteristics: low median home values; high percentage of residents below federal poverty threshold; low percentage of owner-occupied homes; low percentage of workers with a bachelor’s degree (or higher); low life expectancy; low median rent; high percentage of unemployed persons; and older median year homes were built. In short, living in a disamenity neighborhood accelerates a household’s journey to homelessness.

According to the United Way, there are close to 11,000 people who are currently living in a disamenity neighborhood in Anderson County. Of those, 20% are at risk of becoming homeless within the year.

We know that earning a college degree is the strongest predictor of whether a person is able to move up the economic ladder, and so we are partnering with the United Way of Anderson County to help those living in disamenity neighborhoods improve their economic mobility.

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, or national origin.

What does this partnership look like? First, we sought to understand the unique challenges these individuals face by engaging in a Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) during the College’s spring Professional Development Day. CAPS is an interactive immersion experience that sensitizes participants to the realities of poverty. As part of the simulation, faculty and staff were grouped into “families” and tasked with working together to navigate challenges like getting to a job when the family’s only vehicle doesn’t work, finding affordable childcare when schools are closed, and choosing between paying for groceries and medications.

Next, we plan to attend the United Way’s Homeless and Housing Summit in May to discuss how TCTC can partner with area organizations to help those living in disamenity neighborhoods access educational opportunities that can improve their economic mobility. This could be industry-recognized training and certificate programs or associate degree programs. Whatever the individual chooses, we have financial aid packages that can account for nearly the full cost to attend college, and we offer the types of support services these individuals need to balance school with work and family life.

I look forward to sharing more in a future newsletter about how we’re working with the United Way and others to help people out of poverty and improve their economic mobility.

In your service,

Galen DeHay, Ph.D. President

Dr. Galen DeHay President

BASF, TCTC Celebrate Second Cohort of Apprentices

Representatives from TCTC and BASF gathered at the Oconee Campus February 28 to celebrate the second cohort of completers of the educational component of the BASF North American Apprenticeship Development Program (NAADP).

Seven individuals received certificates after completing the 12-month apprenticeship program that pays apprentices a full-time wage and full benefits to participate in on-the-job training at BASF’s Seneca facility while earning a certificate in Process Technology from TCTC. At the end of the program, apprentices have the skills and credentials to be placed in permanent positions at BASF’s Seneca site.

The third cohort began on December 8, 2022, and the fourth will start in July 2023.

Jim Kilton, BASF continuous improvement manager, urged graduates “to be ambassadors for the third cohort and to celebrate your future career at BASF.”

Kumar Sugavaram, BASF vice president of global precious metals refining and chemicals, added, “This is a great achievement and you should be proud. You are coming in as changemakers. You are now part of the BASF family. Welcome!”

In June of 2021, TCTC joined with global chemical corporation BASF’s Seneca plant, Apprenticeship Carolina and other community partners to launch an innovative partnership to develop and implement a Process Technology Apprenticeship program. Developed under the BASF NAADP framework, the apprenticeship is designed to address the company’s needs and priorities by creating a workforce pipeline of diverse, well-trained process operations technicians.

TCTC’s Integrated Workforce Solutions (IWS) team worked with BASF managers and apprenticeship coordinators to design a robust, unique version of the typical apprentice classroom. The instructional component of the BASF program was created as an intensive learning experience that builds and reinforces both technical and productivity (work) skills needed for a successful career at BASF.

By the end of the apprenticeship program, students can receive

three certificates of completion from the U. S. Department of Labor, TCTC’s Corporate and Community Education Division, and OSHA-10 General Industry Standards.

Based on experience with Cohort 1, BASF apprenticeship managers and the IWS team created a “classroom instruction action plan” using feedback from apprentices, company/apprenticeship managers, and the classroom instructor. The plan resulted in numerous enhancements that have made the program more effective—and ultimately more innovative than what might otherwise be found in typical apprenticeship programs.

Elba Lizardi, BASF Seneca site director, said the program aims to meet future talent needs for a skilled and diverse technician workforce with an emphasis on attracting more females to these roles. “Our company wants to grow in diversity and inclusion at this site and globally. We met our goal for 22-24% female leadership two years before our 2021 goal in 2019, so we set a new goal of 30% female leadership by 2030, and this program helps us make progress on achieving that goal,” she said.

President’s List Recipients for Fall Celebrated

President DeHay, front, center, hosted a cocoa and cookies social on February 22 for students named to the President’s List for fall 2022. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be classified as a degree, diploma, or certificateseeking student; earn at least 12 credit hours in courses numbered 100 or above; attain a GPA of 4.00; cannot earn an “F,” “WF,” or “U” grade for courses numbered 100 or below, Math 150 or English 150.

TCTC and North Greenville University Announce First-of-ItsKind Partnership

TCTC and North Greenville University (NGU) officials signed a first-of-its kind articulation agreement (March 6) that enables the transfer of Tri-County students 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.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues at Tri-County Technical College,” said NGU Provost Dr. Nathan Finn. “There is a critical need in South Carolina for more teachers in our public schools. Through this strategic partnership, prospective teachers will have access to an affordable and flexible education, which will in turn enable them to invest in the next generation as early childhood educators.”

“Early childhood education is an essential building block of a child’s future success, and the demand for these types of educators continues to grow,” said Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of TCTC’s Business and Public Services Division.

According to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, employment in the childcare sector continues to lag behind overall employment. In fact, childcare employment today is 5.5% below what it was in February 2020. At the local level, there is a steady and rising demand for early education professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s employment projections website, the number of childcare positions in South Carolina is expected to grow by 7.7% between 2020 and 2030, and the number of kindergarten teachers (except special education) is expected to grow by 9.9%.

“As a community college, it is Tri-County’s role to meet the workforce needs of our region,” said Dr. Blakley. “We are proud to partner with North Greenville University to create a pipeline of

early childhood educators who can serve our region while ensuring a seamless transition for our students.”

Twenty-two-year-old Ciera Dudziak of Anderson will graduate from Tri-County this spring with her A.A.S. degree in Early Care and Education and has already been accepted into NGU’s online bachelor’s degree program.

“I work two jobs, so NGU’s online program works well for me because of the flexibility it offers, plus they accept all of my course credits,” said Dudziak. “NGU also has paid internship opportunities, which I can do in Anderson, which is another big highlight for me.”

Once Dudziak completes the online bachelor’s degree program at NGU, she is eligible to sit for the Early Childhood Education Praxis exam. Upon passing the exam, she is certified to teach in a public school or other setting such as a child care center, afterschool program, Early Head Start or Head Start. Her goal is to teach in a kindergarten classroom in Anderson.

Madison Rankin is a 2022 Early Care and Education graduate who will start at NGU in fall 2023. She wasn’t going to get her bachelor’s degree until she saw the online program at NGU and discovered that they would accept all of her credits and she could student teach in her hometown. She notified Public Services Department Head Meredith Dickens about the program and that is how the transfer agreement came about.

Ciera Dudziak, a 2021 TCTC Business Management alumna who will graduate in May with an Early Care and Education degree, has been accepted to North Greenville University with all of her credits transferring.

North Greenville University Provost Dr. Nathan Finn, left, and President DeHay sign a first-of-its kind articulation agreement that enables the transfer of Tri-County students to NGU’s Educational Studies online bachelor’s degree program.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette to Deliver Spring Commencement Address

Pamela S. Evette, the 93rd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, will deliver the College’s spring commencement address.

The ceremony will be held May 9 at 6 p.m. at Clemson University’s Littlejohn Coliseum.

Graduates will be awarded degrees, diplomas and/or certificates during the College’s commencement. In addition to families and guests of the graduates, alumni and other friends of the College are invited to attend the ceremony.

An entrepreneur and businesswoman, Evette founded Quality Business Solutions, a payroll, HR, and benefits services firm headquartered in Travelers Rest. Under her leadership, QBS grew from a startup to one of the nation’s fastest growing small businesses. Evette has received numerous business and professional accolades, including the ATHENA Leadership Award® and the

College Unveils First-Ever Mural

Enterprising Woman of the Year Award.

Since taking office in January of 2019, Evette has been laserfocused on utilizing her professional background to serve the people and businesses of South Carolina. She has dedicated her time to highlighting South Carolina’s thriving small business ecosystem and attracting new business to the Palmetto state.

As a staunch promoter of innovative public-private partnerships, she also has worked to bring awareness to S.C. non-profits and the impact they have in our local communities.

Beyond business, Evette’s passion for serving others has guided her focus on early childhood education and reading. In 2019, she was asked the join the sixth cohort of Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows Program which focuses on state education policy. A strong advocate for school choice, Evette is also a vocal supporter of South Carolina’s technical college system as a pathway to career success.

Evette serves on the boards of directors of the St. Francis Foundation (affiliated with Bon Secours St. Francis Health System) and the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO).

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Cleveland State University.

The College’s first-ever mural, designed by local artist Lacey Hennessey with input from students and employees, was unveiled March 27 to faculty, staff and students. Over spring break, Hennessey spent four days painting the mural located outside the entrance to the Anderson Hall Event Center on the Pendleton Campus.

The mural’s aim is to evoke a sense of belonging. It’s also interactive and uplifting and showcases the College’s colors and region.

President DeHay said whenever he spoke with students, they talked with him about the great experiences at the College and suggested a landmark to celebrate being a TCTC student.

Faculty, staff and students were surveyed to get ideas for the mural. Responses indicated they wanted it to be interactive and representative of TCTC students and to have an educational focus. “The notion of belonging was the predominant theme,” said President DeHay. “It’s a great way to honor insight from our students.”

The mural can be used as a photo opportunity that students, employees and visitors can share on social media.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette

Two Community Leaders Elected to Foundation Board

Two community leaders have been elected to serve on Tri-County Technical College’s Foundation Board of Directors.

Joining the Board’s current members are Joel Davis, representing Oconee County, and Susan Borcherts, representing Anderson County.

Davis is president of J. Davis Construction, New Terrain Grading, and JDI Industrial Services with locations in Westminster and Anderson.

Borcherts is the facility personnel manager at Michelin’s Earthmover Tire Plant in Anderson.

Members of the Foundation Board raise money to supplement appropriations thereby helping the College to meet the educational needs of the citizens of the tri-county area.

J. Davis Construction, in its 25th year, was founded in 1997 by Davis when he was 17 years old. A native of Westminster, he attended TCTC. Davis is past chairman and current trustee of Blue Ridge

Students Show Skills at Heavy Equipment, Power Line Rodeos

TCTC students showcased their skills in front of potential employers during heavy equipment and power line training rodeos. Through the Corporate and Community Education Division, TCTC offers short-term training that can lead to long-term careers for area residents interested in heavy equipment operation and power line training. With a short training commitment, these individuals can be qualified for these in-demand jobs at local companies.

right, center: Power Line Graduates

below: TCTC students showcased their skills in front of potential employers during a heavy equipment rodeo on March 16. Marcus York Stephen Webb and Ethan Fiske received certificates at the event.

Electric Cooperative and serves on the board of Community First Bank. He also is a board member of New Horizon Electric Cooperative and the Oconee and Anderson County Economic Alliance. He and his wife, Michelle, have three children.

Borcherts has been with Michelin for 16 years. Prior to Michelin, she was director of communication for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for five years and a newspaper reporter with The Indianapolis Star for 11 years. She graduated from Indiana University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and political science. She and her husband, Kirt, live in Easley and have two children.

“We’re excited to add Joel and Susan to our board of distinguished community and business leaders,” said Grayson Kelly, vice president of institutional advancement and business relations at TCTC. “I look forward to working with them to advance the vision of Tri-County by transforming lives through quality education, one student at a time.”

Joel Davis

Susan Borcherts

Health Education Division Hosts First Nursing Conference

More than 200 students attended the first Nursing Conference hosted by the Health Education Division on March 14. The keynote speaker was Dr. Diana McIntyre, D.N.P., R.N., nurse manager for the medical surgical unit and New Life Center for Joint Health for Prisma Health/Oconee Memorial Hospital.

Attendees also met future employers at a Student Nurses Association-sponsored BSN Expo for Nursing students to learn about educational pathways leading to earning their BSN degree while working. Sixteen Nursing programs set up information tables, and representatives were on hand to talk about their individual BSN programs.

“Nursing department faculty and students are engaged in various learning activities. Working with faculty, the concept of a nursing conference was designed to showcase these activities in one learning platform,” said Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, dean of the Health Education Division. Conference activities included student posters, a clinical expo, and a Student Nurses Association (SNA)-sponsored blood drive. “The addition of a keynote speaker served as an inspirational speech to the students highlighting the fact that learning never stops. Faculty and students very much appreciated the conference,” said Dr. Chaudhry.

Associate Degree Nursing student Gracie Howard gives blood at the Student Nurses Association-sponsored blood drive.

Mandy Wright (Class of 2007), right, is an R.N. at AnMed Home Care, and Kayla Isbell (Class of 2014) is an R.N. at AnMed Rehabilitation. Isbell also holds a BSN from Chamberlain University.

Dr. Diana McIntyre, D.N.P., R.N., Bc-NE, a 2004 alumna of our Associate Degree Nursing program, pictured third from left, was the keynote speaker at TCTC’s first Nursing Conference hosted by the Health Education Division on March 14. Dr. McIntyre is nurse manager for the medical surgical unit and New Life Center for Joint Health for Prisma Health/Oconee Memorial Hospital.

Dr. McIntyre is pictured with (from left) Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, dean of the Health Education Division; Jackie Rutledge, Nursing department head; and Kristina Cothran, a senior associate degree Nursing student.

Associate Degree Nursing graduates at the March 14 BSN Expo sponsored by TCTC’s Student Nurses Association.

Our College Family

In Transition

Jeffery Hodges is Training and Development Director I in the Corporate and Community Education Division. In this role, he develops, promotes, and provides in-person and online training in both Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)-specific topics and other safety-related topics.

Stacey Schiff, a 2004 Media Arts Production (MAP) graduate, is a full-time MAP instructor.

Britt Callahan is an Enrollment Counselor. He provides proactive student outreach, recruitment and intensive enrollment counseling through various interactions with prospective students, businesses and industries, high schools and community organizations.

Deborah Eller is an Administrative Specialist in High School Engagement. She is responsible for providing office, data, and budget management as well as logistical support for the department.

Aaron Pobiak is a Dual Enrollment Counselor in High School Engagement. He facilitates advising, academic and transitional support, provides student programming and services, creates partnerships and serves as a liaison between Tri-County and local high schools.

Ashley Spence is a Student Services Coordinator at our Oconee Campus. She is responsible for providing integrated, outcomes-based student services; facilitating the entry and transition of students to a variety of academic programs, and supporting students in attaining their educational goals.

Jaclyn O’Rorke is our Creative Technologies Librarian on the Pendleton Campus. She is responsible for the collection, development and liaison duties for Health Education and for the Science and Mathematics branches of Arts and Sciences.

Terri Ann Belk recently joined the Tri-County team as Human Resources Manager. Terri Ann is responsible for providing leadership and subject matter expertise to both HR staff and campus leaders regarding all human resources functions. In addition, she plays a critical role in managing classification and compensation, organizational development, and projects or strategic initiatives.

Kiana Cromer recently joined the College as Administrative Specialist in the Arts and Sciences Division office.  Kiana is responsible for providing customer, administrative, and logistical support to all constituents of the Arts and Sciences Division and supporting the department’s efforts to improve the student experience.

Annual Legislative Luncheon

The South Carolina Technical College System hosted its annual Legislative Luncheon March 29 in Columbia. Each of the 16 technical colleges featured an academic program to share with legislators. This year John Woodson, program director for Media Arts Production (MAP), left, showcased the program with MAP alumnus Jacob Zambrano, right, who now is a student at the University of South Carolina. They are pictured with President DeHay, center.

Dr. Mandy Elmore Named Assistant VP of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Mandy Elmore has been named Assistant Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction (AVPCI). She assumed her new role April 3.

As AVPCI, Dr. Elmore will be responsible for the academic integrity of all program offerings and for providing direction for all instructional divisions as well as curriculum and instructional support. She will also monitor and assess the labor needs of business and industry, and she will plan, implement and evaluate programs reflecting these needs.

Dr. Elmore will supervise the academic deans, the dean of the Corporate and Community Education Division, dean of Integrated Workforce Solutions, and director of Academic Development. In her supervisory role, she will provide broad oversight to ensure the promotion of effective learning environments, develop programs that meet the needs of the community, and ensure curriculum design and development systems and processes that reflect the College’s instructional philosophy. She will ensure that all instructional-related accreditation processes and criteria are adhered to and that required responses to accrediting agencies are completed in a timely manner. She will also make recommendations for the annual appointment of division deans and department heads.

“I see this as an opportunity to invest in faculty and students and to make a positive impact on them,” said Dr. Elmore. “I want our academic and continuing education programs to feel like they are known, understood and valued by the College, our external partners and our communities,” she said.

In her new role, Dr. Elmore also will serve as a member of Executive Staff and report directly to President DeHay.

Dr. Elmore has extensive experience in the manufacturing industry and in both secondary and post-secondary education. A chemical

engineer by trade, her areas of expertise include manufacturing, automation, Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, Lean Six Sigma, Robotic Process Automation, data analytics and experiential learning.

She began her career as a chemical engineer at Los Alamos National Lab, a federal research facility in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She returned to the Upstate when she accepted a job at Carolina Circuits in Greenville where she was a process engineer, project engineer and later engineering manager.

She made the transition to education in the K-12 arena in 2003 and taught at Pendleton High School and later for Anderson School District 1 at the Anderson Career and Technology Center where she served as Project Lead the Way teacher for three years.

She joined TCTC in 2009 as an Engineering Graphics Technology instructor, became the department head and in 2016 was promoted to her most recent position as dean of the Engineering and Industrial Technology Division. In this role, Dr. Elmore supervised and directed the activities of faculty and staff members comprising nine academic programs that center on engineering technology, industrial technology, CNC and welding.

Dr. Elmore has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina. She holds a doctorate degree in professional leadership from Converse College and earned a graduate certificate in higher education leadership from the University of South Carolina.

Attendees Praise Campus Police Safety and Awareness Academy

Around 60 faculty and staff participated in the Campus Police Safety and Awareness Academy Training during the week of March 27-31.

The Academy is designed to provide active shooter training, self-defense techniques, deescalation methods and increase situational awareness, said Campus Police Chief Marcus Guess.

“Participants were able to have fun while learning life-saving skills,” said Chief Guess.

“The Campus Police Safety and Awareness Academy training offered by TCTC Campus Police was outstanding,” said Kathy Brand, executive assistant to President DeHay, who was among the participants.

“The officers did a great job covering self-defense techniques, standard response protocols, and using the force simulator. Being able to practice the self-defense techniques on dummies was interactive, and using the force simulator made you realize how quickly officers must make decisions in highly stressful situations,” she said. right: Sgt. Shaun Chastain demonstrates to Kathy Brand self-defense techniques.

State Farm Hires TCTC Dual Enrollment Student as First-Ever Intern

Anne McAlister was looking for a specific skill set when she began the search to hire her first-ever office intern for her State Farm Agency in Seneca.

The candidate had to be customer oriented, friendly and a quick learner. The individual also had to be mature and dependable and a good listener.

“We are customer-based so our business is about building and maintaining relationships with our customers,” said McAlister, who in August will celebrate 39 years as a State Farm agent.

She found these characteristics and more in Madisyn (Maddi) Davis, a 17-year-old D.W. Daniel High School senior who takes college courses online at Tri-County Technical College (TCTC). Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college classes while they are still enrolled in high school. These classes count for both high school and college credit.

McAlister reached out to the business department at TCTC and outlined what she was looking for. Instructor Angel Luper recommended Davis, who takes classes at Daniel High School during the day and is enrolled in an online TCTC accounting class this semester.

McAlister and Leanne Cobb, work-based learning coordinator at TCTC, worked together to create a work-based learning experience for TCTC’s accounting program.

Work-based learning opportunities are the key to producing work-ready graduates with 21st-century workplace skills. Work-based learning options match the company’s staffing requirements to individual students’ training needs, producing benefits for both.

“Students are able to augment their classroom experiences with real-world experience and receive a paycheck for this valuable work experience,” said Cobb.

“Every day here is different and you have to be flexible and know how to multi-task,” said McAlister, who was impressed by Davis’s work ethic upon learning she was earning college credit while in high school. Following a short, in-person interview, McAlister said she hired Davis on the spot.

Davis says she learned about the internship when Luper posted it on a class discussion board. “I took a day to think it over,” said Davis, who also works part time at Starbucks. “The networking and the knowledge learned could benefit me professionally and personally. Also, it aligns with my career goals.” (She plans to study economics at Clemson University this fall.)

“There is a lot to learn about insurance. This job is very educational,” Davis said. In addition to the day-to-day office procedures, she is learning about the importance of insurance and is taking classes in security awareness, privacy and the laws of S.C. Davis also will be managing the business’ social media calendar on Facebook. “Work based learning offers students the opportunity to discover where they want to go and what they want to explore,” said

Cobb. “It is an extension of the classroom where technical skills and knowledge can be put into practice and soft skills, like problem solving and teamwork, can be developed. For employers, work-based learning is an easy way to recruit skilled employees who are prepared to be successful in the workforce.”

Internships and co-op positions are becoming much more important both to students and to employers looking for a trial run with potential hires, said Cobb.

“Providing a transformative experience for students is a collaborative effort between the College and our industry partners, and TCTC is fortunate to have supportive partnerships with employers like State Farm. Work-based learning is an essential component to our students obtaining economic mobility and career success,” said Cobb.

Employers who are interested in learning more about work-based learning at TCTC can contact Leanne Cobb, work-based learning coordinator, at LCobb4@tctc.edu or (864) 646-1637.

Work-Based Learning Opportunities

There are lots of opportunities for students, through our Career and Employability Resources office, to obtain 21stcentury workplace skills while attending college.

Recently the Career and Employability Resources department welcomed representatives from ITW Hartness and Robert Bosch on campus to talk about their Technical Scholars programs. Scholars programs are designed to provide a pipeline of skilled employees to the industry partner. Scholars programs allow selected students to attend class full time while working part time at a local manufacturer.

right, top: Alan Johnson, standing, was on site to talk about the Bosch Technical Scholars program.

right: Whitney Smith, human resources manager and Kendall Geer, both standing, give an overview of the ITW Hartness Scholars Program.

Leanne Cobb, work-based learning coordinator at TCTC, left, Anne McAlister, State Farm agent, middle, and Maddi Davis, dual enrollment student/State Farm intern.

Business Technology Reports

Successful ACBSP Visit

Congratulations to the Business Technology Department on a successful Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Site Team visit. All standards and criteria for demonstrating excellence in Business degree programs were met. The committee made several positive comments concerning the College culture, collaboration and the overall Business program performance. The Business Technology Department is awaiting final status from the organization. “Thank you to everyone who contributed. The team effort was exemplary,” said Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of the Business and Public Services Division.

pictured above: Business alumni and current students met with the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) site team members who were on campus for a site visit. Pictured from left are Imani Williams, a 2022 Administrative Office Technology (AOT) grad; Rebecca Summey a 2013 Accounting grad; Jermaine (Maine) Dawkins, a 2010 Business grad; Alexis McCowan, a current Business student; and Lindsey Branyon, a 2021 AOT grad.

Williams is a medical office specialist at AnMed; Summey is a bookkeeper for Holly Springs Baptist Church in Pickens; Dawkins is a project manager for Sparks Research in Clemson; and Branyon is a land development administrator for Toll Brothers construction company.

Saving the Survey: Moving Beyond the Pilots at TCTC

English instructors Matt Simon, Amy Borders, and Justin Holliday, all leads in the Literature Resources Committee, were presenters at the 2022 Two-Year College English Association (TYCA)-SE conference. They presented their plan of redesigning American Literature II and English Literature II courses with thematic focal points. Specifically, Borders piloted an American Literature II course and Holliday piloted an English Literature II course, beginning in spring 2022.

“The objective of these pilot courses was to develop a particular thematic focus, which was aligned with the goals of many four-year institutions,” said Simon. By focusing on a particular theme, the instructors could create courses that allowed students to draw more in-depth connections between units and promote a more complex understanding of the social and political climates studied in the assigned literature over multiple time periods in order to become more informed citizens,” he added.

Additionally, students expressed increased engagement with course material because they could learn even more clearly how the different literary movements related to the eras studied, as observed by the instructors with both course assignments and class discussions. Redesigning our American Literature II and English Literature II courses with thematic focal points has allowed English faculty, and the College, to gather data on the potential benefits and obstacles created in transforming courses this way. We have been able to ascertain that focusing thematically throughout a literature course helps us push students to engage with specific perspectives and topics in relation to larger literary movements and areas of study,” said Simon.

Students Connect with Business and Industry at Career Fair

Chick-fil-A was among the companies who participated in the Career and Employability Resources (CER) Career Fair on March 8. Here, Will Rupp, a Business graduate, right, talks with Katie Chute, chief of staff, and Brittany Bolle, talent specialist.

April is Community College Month

Community colleges serve 11.5 million students nationally, making the two-year degree the first choice for almost half of the undergraduate students in the U.S.

With enrollment exceeding 9,000 annually, Tri-County still offers small classes taught by full-time, experienced faculty with real-world backgrounds who can offer practical, one-on-one instruction.

Reasons to Attend TCTC

• More than 70 majors.

• Lowest tuition in the Upstate.

• Highest success rate among state’s 16 technical colleges.

• Ranked in top 1% nationally for successful transfer.

• Nearly 80% of students receive financial assistance and scholarships.

• 19:1 student-faculty ratio.

• Five locations to serve you.

• Home to nationally-known Bridge to Clemson program.

Students of all demographics come to Tri-County Technical College at different stages of their lives. Some are traditional, others very non-traditional. Among the student population are working moms, displaced workers, those embarking on second careers, and recent high school graduates, as well as high school dropouts. Many go the university transfer route with the goal of transferring to a four-year college or university while others enroll in the technical programs to prepare to work in today’s advanced manufacturing facilities. A large number return to college to obtain new skills to stay competitive or advance in their careers. But they all share a common purpose. Most have personal and professional success as their goal; however, they are taking different and diverse routes to arrive at the same destination.

We are proud of our graduates, many of whom who have become leaders in their communities and are inspiring others.

Wallace Cobbs

• Principal at Welcome Elementary School, Greenville.

• A member of the First Bridge to Clemson class (2006).

• Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Clemson University.

• Master’s degree, Southern Wesleyan University.

• Pursuing Ph. D.

Cpl. Jesus De Luna Soto

• School Resource Officer at Seneca Middle School.

• Criminal Justice degree, 2015.

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Anderson University, 2019.

Claire Pearson

• Pharmacist at Wal-Mart in Clemson.

• Pre-Pharmacy degree, 2009.

• Pharmacy degree, Presbyterian College of Pharmacy.

Dakota Phillips

• Fabrication Shop Manager, JDI Industrial Services in Westminster.

• 2016 Welding degree.

• Air Force Veteran.

Ronicka Craig

• Branch Manager for Spero Financial in Anderson.

• 2002 Business Management degree.

Shan Smith

• Chief Operating Officer of Good Sense Automation, LLC.

• Three-time graduate of TCTC with degrees in General Engineering Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology, and Business Management.

Dr. Smith Heavner

• Public Health Scientist and currently serves as the Scientific Director of the CURE Drug Repurposing Collaboratory, an international research consortium.

• Practical Nursing degree in 2010; Associate Degree in Nursing, 2012.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clemson University in 2014; Doctor of Philosophy from Clemson University in 2021; and currently he is engaged in the Global Clinical Scholars Program at Harvard Medical School.

Lillian Boatwright

• Sales Operation Manager at BoomTown.

• Associate in Arts degree, TCTC.

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, Coker College.

Catching Up With Alumni

Sheba Foxx

Media Arts

Production Program

Director John Woodson, left, welcomed alumna Sheba Foxx back to campus recently.

Foxx, who serves as public affairs director, news director, on-air personality and producer for 107.3 JAMZ, was on campus to support a voter registration drive. Foxx has been with the radio station since 2007. Woodson, her former instructor, also is an alumnus of TCTC’s MAP (formerly Radio and Television Broadcasting) program.

Shannon Evans

Dental Assisting

alumna Shannon Evans is employed by Hood Family Dentistry in Seneca. She is pictured with Dr. Jordan Hood, who is a member of the TCTC Dental Assisting Advisory Committee.

Michael Mance

Congratulations to Media Arts Production alumnus Michael Mance, whose Anderson-based agency, Mance Multimedia, LLC, was

named 2022 Minority Business of the Year by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

Mance Multimedia, a full-service creative agency, was founded by CEO Michael Mance, a native and current resident of Anderson County. The company helps build clients’ recognition and credibility through marketing, advertising, design, and production services. Mance said, “This is a true full-circle moment, as I started my career as a marketing director for the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. It was there that I fell in love with both promoting and growing business. To transition into a full-time business owner and be recognized by such a large, pro-business organization is definitely a great accomplishment,” he said.

The company has worked with both local and national companies, most recently designing packaging for Texas-based flooring company Acufloor—helping launch their product into 1200 Lowe’s stores.

Kaitlyn Holder Alexander

Kaitlyn Holder Alexander, a 2022 graduate of the Media Arts Production (MAP) program, is a videographer for FOX Carolina. She shot a segment about our Heavy Equipment Operator rodeo held March 17.

Lori Greenway

Lori Greenway graduated from the I-BEST healthcare pathway in Spring 2021. Today she is a student in Tri-County’s Dental Assisting Program.

Student Receives Scholarship from Foothills Writers’ Guild

Logan Long, a University Studies major, was awarded the 2023 Juanita Garrison Student Writing Scholarship from the Foothills Writers’ Guild of Anderson at its monthly meeting. The mission of the scholarship program is to promote the art and skills of creative writing for students who demonstrate “the heart of a writer.”

Long, a student in Laurie Epps’ Creative Writing class, was nominated by TCTC English department instructors.

“Logan’s first work that was submitted for my Creative Writing class was one of his short stories, entitled “Return to Sender,” which takes place in the late 1960s and includes a variety of rich descriptions of setting, characters, and situations that are a great representation of that time period. I knew immediately that it was a great piece of short fiction worthy of being recognized,” said Epps.

Logan Long, middle, is pictured with Jay Wright, an executive committee member of the Foothills Writers Guild, and Laurie Epps, English instructor.

College Mourns Loss of Former Commissioner Ben Childress

We are saddened by the loss of former Tri-County Technical College Commission member and Easley resident Ben R. Childress, who died March 27 at age 88.

Childress served a long and distinguished term, representing Pickens County on the governing board from 1987 until 2010. He was solidly committed to the community college philosophy and in every way pursued the mission and purpose of the College, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience and strengthening the College’s already strong ties with industry.

Childress served as chair of the buildings committee, was an active member and former chair of the finance committee and a former ex-officio member of the TCTC Foundation board. As chairman of the building committee, he was instrumental in moving the Easley Campus project forward and was a leader in bringing Tri-County Technical College to where the Pickens County community lives and works. Tri-County’s Easley Campus, located on Powdersville Road, opened in January 2011.

He was a charter member and past chair of the Textile Management Advisory Board. He and other textile leaders in the tri-counties in 1973 helped to develop the Textile Management curriculum and later, in an unprecedented display of support, contributed $18,900 to finance full two-year scholarships for Textile Management majors at Tri-County.

In 2010 former College President Ronnie L. Booth presented Childress with the Order of Merit at the College’s October 28 Annual Report luncheon.

Childress served first as general manager and later as vice president of manufacturing for Alice Manufacturing Company during his distinguished 30-year career at the Easley textile company.

In 1997, he and his wife, Lucille, endowed the Weston and Ruth Reeves Memorial Scholarship in 1997 in memory of her mother and father.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Reeves Childress, daughters Sandi Maddox and Karen (Allen) Clardy; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Pre-Apprenticeship Program

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Eighteen-year-old Prilliyah Rinnix of Iva was one of the three students who enrolled at Tri-County. While she was in Manufacturing Works, she was a student at Crescent High School and was taking dual enrollment courses in Mechatronics through Tri-County.

“I enrolled in the Manufacturing Works program because I wanted to gain a foundation for a job path,” said Rinnix. “Through the program I was able to earn my OHSA 10 completion card and participate in mock interviews with companies like First Quality and Arthrex.”

Rinnix recently accepted an internship at First Quality Print and Packaging. She will be making $26.50 an hour. She will graduate from Tri-County this summer with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics and plans to seek a registered apprenticeship.

Prilliyah Rinnix, a graduate of the first Manufacturing Works cohort, recently accepted an internship at First Quality Print and Packaging. She will be making $26.50 an hour. Rinnix will graduate from Tri-County this summer with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics.

“Manufacturing Works is a great way for students like Prilliyah to confirm their desired career path and for others to explore the various manufacturing educational and career pathways available in the Anderson County area,” said Jennifer Hulehan, dean of Academic and Career Foundations at Tri-County.

Manufacturing Works is more than a name; it is a statement,” said Hulehan. “Our investment in you doesn’t stop today. Graduates’ opportunities include registered apprenticeships where they can earn while you learn, employment with manufacturers like Arthex and First Quality and for furthering their education by enrolling at TCTC.”

To learn more about Manufacturing Works, visit tctc.edu/ manufacturingworks.

College Commissioner Butch Harris, left, meets Manufacturing Works graduate Joshua Traynum, right.

Dr. DeHay Leads Learning College 101 Session

President Dr. Galen DeHay led a session in February for Learning College (LC) 101 participants on the topic of passion and purpose.

LC 101 is sponsored by the Office of Academic Development and facilitated by Mia Tensley, faculty development liaison. LC 101 aims to provide new full-time faculty an opportunity to integrate into the TCTC culture throughout their first semester. Faculty group meetings are used to encourage faculty to implement diverse teaching and learning strategies that promote both the acquisition and application of knowledge and understanding in an attempt to foster student success in the classroom.

Dr. DeHay’s message emphasized the importance of integrating individual passion and purpose with the mission of the institution to achieve meaningful and impactful results. He encouraged attendees to reflect on their own passions and the role they play in the larger College community.

Dr. DeHay spoke about the various initiatives that the College has implemented to support its students and the community partnerships that ensure that students have access to a wide range of resources and opportunities.

In addition, he talked about the importance of faculty members’ expertise and how they contribute to the College’s academic and institutional goals.

New Faculty React to Learning College 101

JACLYN O’RORKE: “Dr. DeHay’s session on passion and purpose provided a meaningful lesson on Tri-County’s commitment to community. Dr. DeHay stated, ‘If we do the right thing for our students, we do the right thing for everyone. As we build community with our students, colleagues, and supervisors at TCTC, we must also develop community partnerships.’ Through numerous partnerships and outreach events, we can create pathways to uplift our own communities. This session reaffirmed why we do what we do at TCTC each day.”

ROSS HUGHES: “Dr. DeHay’s presentation was a source of laughter, engaging discussion, and validation that TCTC is actively committed to fulfilling its vision and mission statements. Through his passionate work, Dr. DeHay demonstrates a genuine desire to see our communities thrive and leave a lasting impact. I left his session feeling reenergized and confident that my role, as well as the entire I-BEST program, is in direct alignment with TCTC’s mission.”

STACEY SCHIFF: “During Dr. DeHay’s session, he stated, ‘Instead of approaching communities with a menu of services, we are engaging in listening sessions to better understand their needs. And instead of focusing on the student alone, we are focusing on the entire family.’ These insights can be powerful for serving the diverse range of people we work with in the technical college world. By prioritizing listening and understanding, we can better serve our communities.”

TARA VAUGHAN: “Dr. DeHay’s session gave me great insight to the driving “why” of what we do as educators. I was encouraged to see Dr. DeHay’s commitment to our students, faculty and the greater community in which we serve. It is an honor to work under a leader who is using his gifts to lead our school and community in the days to come.”

President DeHay talks with Learning College 101 participants.

The spring Learning College LC 101 cohort is pictured from left (front row) Mia Tensley, faculty liaison; Monette Fowler, Beverly Farrell and Jaclyn O’Rorke and (back row) Tara Vaughan, Stacey Schiff and Ross Hughes.

Health Education Students Shine

Nursing Students Elected to S.C. SNA Board

Three members of the TCTC Student Nurses Association (SNA) were elected to serve on the state board at the S.C. SNA State Convention.

Pictured from left are Stacy Smith, associate degree Nursing instructor and SNA faculty advisor; Jennifer Bryant, ethics and governance director; Tiffany Hart, vice president; Morgan Cooley (Coffield), public relations director; and Katie Anderson, associate degree Nursing instructor and SNA faculty advisor.

“We are very proud of these students as they ran from the floor at the convention, gave a speech and went through a lengthy interview by the current board. Their professionalism was put on display and they represented Tri-County very well,” said Anderson.

Students Succeed at SCSMA

Eight Medical Assisting students, along with Program Director Laura McClain, attended the annual SC Society of Medical Assistants (SCSMA) conference held March 16-19.

Three of those students were part of the team that won the “Bowl of Knowledge,” an academic competition where Medical Assisting students from the state’s technical colleges compete against each other by answering questions related to the field of medical assisting (anatomy and physiology, administrative and clinical questions). Madison Belue, Theresa Phillips, and Jaydy Neri each won a $25 cash prize.

Three TCTC students submitted applications for a scholarship that paid up to $500. Congratulations to Toni Petrosino, who received a second-place scholarship prize.