A Publication from the Office of the President
In this Issue…
Board of Visitors Holds Its Spring Meeting............................ 3
College Partners with MUSC to Benefit Pharmacy Students....... 4
Third Leadership TCTC Cohort Graduates....................... 7
High Demand Programs Featured at Open House.........11
January/February 2022
Governor Recognizes CDL Graduates at State of the State Liliana Cruz and Justin Smith, a married couple who are graduates of our commercial truck driving program, were recognized by Governor Henry McMaster in his 2022 State of the State address January 19. Liliana, 25, grew up in Indiana. Justin, 25, grew up in Georgia. Both were raised by parents who didn’t complete high school. Liliana and Justin joined the Marine Corps immediately after high school. They both say they joined the Marines because they wanted Liliana Cruz and Justin Smith are pictured with President DeHay to do something different, they following the State of the State address. wanted to challenge themselves, and they wanted to prove to their family and friends that life could be different. Liliana and Justin met while they were stationed in Japan. After two years in Japan, they were sent to a base in North Carolina. When their four-year contract with the Marines ended in 2019, Justin’s brother recommended that they move to Clemson. After moving to Clemson, the two began taking classes at TCTC. Liliana’s goal was to become an architect, and Justin’s was to own his own business. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit in early 2020, and the two dropped out of school soon after. Neither felt that they could succeed in an online learning environment, so they went to work instead. Justin was making $18/hour and Liliana was making $16/hour at the same company. Neither of them enjoyed the work nor the pay and so they quit with the hope of finding a new and better opportunity. When a friend told them about the Commercial Truck Driving program at Tri-County and the benefits of team driving, meaning they could take turns driving the same truck, they immediately reached out to the College. Liliana and Justin began the five-week commercial truck driving program in October 2021 and finished it in early December at no cost thanks to the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. Three weeks into the course they had a conditional job offer based on them completing the course and earning their Class A commercial driver’s license. On December 15, the pair formally accepted a job with Schneider National, Inc., and began training on December 20. In addition to the great pay, which equates to a combined salary of $140,000/year, the two are able to team drive and remain in South Carolina. Their goal now is to retire by age 35.
Passionate people TRANSFORMING LIVES
AND BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.
Connection 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 Website tctc.edu
Tri-County Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Tri-County Technical College. 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. 2 • CONNECTION
Connecting
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Community Outreach Focus for Spring
Dr. Galen DeHay he spring 2022 semester marks the start of the third President year of the coronavirus pandemic. While we continue to meet our enrollment goals, we are not yet where we were prior to the pandemic and it is unclear how long it will take for higher education as a whole to rebound. A recent report published by the National Student Clearinghouse shows that undergraduate enrollment alone fell by 3.1% or 465,300 students over last year. Every institution sector saw undergraduate enrollment drops, with the largest numerical drops at public four-year institutions (251,400 students or -3.8%) and the steepest percentage decline at private for-profit four-year colleges (-11.1% or 65,500 students). Community colleges, however, saw smaller enrollment drops (-3.4% or 161,800 students) in 2021 than in the previous fall. Two student populations that we know are not attending college at pre-pandemic levels are low-income students and students of color. At Tri-County, one of our priorities throughout the pandemic has been to strengthen enrollment efforts and student support initiatives for these populations. We are doing this through a variety of initiatives you will read more about in this edition of Connection. For example, on page 7, you will read about our Men of Color and Women of Color initiative, which aims to create an inclusive learning environment that fosters success where young men and women of color feel safe, welcomed and valued. We have hosted a number of successful in-person and virtual events since the initiative launched in 2019, and we have a number of events planned for the spring 2022 semester, including the first-ever Men of Color Scholarship Golf Tournament on April 7. We also have been active in the Hispanic community, particularly in Oconee County. Over the past few months, the College has been working with Walhalla City Council Member Saria Melendez and members of the City of Walhalla Diversity and Inclusion Committee to create outreach activities aimed at educating individuals about what TCTC can do for them. The first outreach activity took place January 30 following a Sunday worship service at Light of the World Church in Walhalla where Tri-County staff was on hand to discuss the many educational opportunities available at the College. Those in attendance were engaged and eager to learn. Accordingly, we are planning a second event on the Oconee Campus in late March. These are just some of the ways Tri-County is re-engaging populations most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and helping them to meet their career goals while meeting the needs of our region’s employers. There is much more work to be done, and we welcome opportunities and ideas on how to reach these individuals with the message that college is a place they can and do belong, college is a feasible option for them, college can fit into their already full life, and Tri-County is that college. In your service,
Galen DeHay, Ph.D. President
Business Major Addresses Board of Visitors Tri-County Technical College’s Board of Visitors held its spring meeting February 1 on the Pendleton Campus. This group of community leaders serves as an extension of the College through the Institutional Advancement Division and works as community influencers and ambassadors for Tri-County. Members serve a two-year term, meet two times a year and make a financial commitment to the College. They are asked to share TCTC stories on social media and with friends and family to keep the conversation going said Dr. Laneika Musalini, the College’s director of grants who manages the board’s activities, communications and meetings. In addition to serving as advocates, they also are future employers for students. “Many of our partners can help our students as far as co-op and work- based learning experiences and opportunities,” she said. Business Administration major Stephaine Merriweather, who also serves as a chaplain at AnMed Health, spoke to the group about her college journey, which began at age 50. After receiving her GED she entered TCTC in 2019 and will be the first in her family to earn a college degree. A non-traditional student, Stephaine said, “I needed a lot of help.” She found it with instructors like Brian Smith, and the Career and Employability Resources staff. “There are people at TCTC who
First-generation student Stephaine Merriweather addresses the Board of Visitors.
are truly dedicated,” said Stephaine. “The entre college has been a family to me. Brian Smith (former business management and now assistant dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences) was one of the first to take me by the hand and tell me where and how to get help. Life is full of problems and issues. But he showed me where to get the resources I needed to be successful. It helped me to get on track and to stay on track,” she said. “I don’t know where I will go after graduation but you all will help me take my life to the next level. I do know TCTC will lead me to a place where dreams are made of. TCTC instilled in me a confidence you can’t take away. There’s nothing I can’t do.”
above, left: Brian
Smith, assistant dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, left, talks with TCTC alumnus Tracy Grate, an officer with the Seneca Police Department and Board of Visitors member.
above, right: Caleb
Allen, talent acquisitions partner/university engagement for TD SYNNEX, a TCTC alumnus and Board of Visitors member, is pictured with Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of the Business and Public Services Division.
left: Thomas Hudgins, alumni/development manager in our Foundation office, right, and his father, Keith Hudgins, a member of the Board of Visitors, attended the meeting. These two, along with Keith’s father, Dr. Jim Hudgins, former president of the SC Technical College System, make three generations of Hudgins men involved in the work of the state’s technical college system.
January/February 2022 • 3
Tri-County Technical College and MUSC Announce Partnership TCTC and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) announced a new partnership that allows highly-qualified TCTC students to transfer to the MUSC College of Pharmacy to earn their doctor of pharmacy degree. Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, dean of TCTC’s Health Education Division, and Dr. Philip D. Hall, dean and professor of the MUSC College of Pharmacy, announced the new memorandum of understanding December 14 at a signing event. “We’re excited to partner with Tri-Country Technical College,” said Dr. Hall. “It broadens opportunities for their students and gives us a chance to talk with new potential contributors to the MUSC pharmacy experience. It’s a win-win situation for everybody.” Pharmacists play a critical role not only in dispensing medications but in educating patients and ensuring patient safety. The essential role pharmacists play in the health care field has been even more pronounced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “Like other healthcare professions, highly-trained pharmacists are in short supply, and the need for this role has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Dr. Chaudhry. “As a community college, it is Tri-County’s role to meet the workforce needs of our region, and we are proud to partner with the MUSC College of Pharmacy to create a pipeline of pharmacists who can serve our region while ensuring a seamless transition for our students.”
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs typically require two years of undergraduate coursework followed by four academic years of professional study. Tri-County’s pre-pharmacy program provides students with the same opportunities to enter a school of pharmacy that a four-year college or university does – at a fraction of the cost. In addition, class sizes are small, allowing for more student-faculty interactions.
From left, Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, President DeHay, and Dr. Philip Hill sign partnership agreement.
College Partners with Walhalla to Provide Outreach Services For several months, President DeHay has been working with Walhalla City Council Member Saria Melendez and members of the City of Walhalla Diversity and Inclusion Committee on
President DeHay and Jenni Creamer, right, talk with a member of Light of the World Church. 4 • CONNECTION
various direct communication/outreach activities to educate individuals about what TCTC can do for them. “The committee recently asked TCTC to partner with them to provide a targeted introduction to the College, technical education and technical career opportunities for the Hispanic community in Oconee County,” said Jenni Creamer, assistant vice president for college transitions, who along with President DeHay, met with members of Light of the World Church in Walhalla after morning worship on Sunday, January 30. “We had about 40 people there from all ages and stages of life. Those in attendance were very engaged with lots of individual questions and eager to learn more about the College,” said Jenni. As a next step, TCTC is planning an open house for the Oconee Campus on March 29. “We distributed materials in both English and Spanish at the event on January 30 and are providing translation services for both events to ensure that students understand that English proficiency is required to study at TCTC but we are providing materials that family members can read directly,” she said.
I-BEST Students Graduate Seven students earned academic credentials through the I-BEST career pathways program and participated in a graduation ceremony December 16. President Galen DeHay was the keynote speaker. He told the students that over the semester, they learned a very important skill—resilience. “This newfound resilience will help you succeed in life and in the workplace,” he said. I-BEST is a free program with pathways in healthcare and manufacturing that culminate in a college certificate (Personal Care Aide I or Manufacturing Production I). Students graduate in just 14 weeks (10 weeks in the summer). “They receive individualized advising and educational/career planning; industry-recognized training and/or certifications; and job placement assistance both during and after the program,” said Jennifer Hulehan, President DeHay, center, poses with I-BEST graduates. dean of Academic and Career Foundations. “They build skills and habits of mind for college and work success, and every also offer a Smart Start course (COL 120) for those students student completes a Personal Success Plan laying out the steps who are just starting out or starting over and need to build their for continued college education through at least an associate confidence before starting a degree, diploma, or certificate degree, entering the workforce, or a combination of the two. We program.”
Campuses Welcome Students to Spring Semester Our community campuses held events to welcome new and returning students.
RN/LPN NCLEX Pass Scores Surpass State, National Rates Students in our associate degree nursing (ADN) and practical nursing (PN) programs both report 100% pass rates for first-time candidates taking the NCLEX certification exam for the fourth quarter of 2021 (October 1–December 31, 2021). Their scores surpass state and national averages. The NCLEX exams for both PN and ADN programs are computerized exams that test a graduate’s basic nursing knowledge and decision-making ability on commonly encountered health-care situations. Graduates of both programs must pass the exam to work as RNs and/or LPNs in the state. According to the National Council State Board of Nursing, the state pass rate for ADN grads for the fourth quarter is 78.80% and the national average is 71.92%. The state pass rate for PN grads for the fourth quarter is 84.57 and the national average is 71.97%. PN graduates scored a 90% pass rate for the year-to-date (January 2021 – December 31, 2021). The state average is 86.14% and the national average is 77.97%. The ADN program reports a 91.35% pass rate for the year-todate reporting. The state average year-to-date for RN is 89.05% and the national average year-to-date is 82.48%.
Jo Ann Fant, office manager for the Anderson Campus, assists Latroyie Tate, in the computer lab. January/February 2022 • 5
Our College Family excellence through service Three Honored as Educators of The Year Dr. Mark Dougherty
Melinda Hoover
Three faculty/staff members were honored as Tri-County Technical College’s Educators of the Year and recognized at the annual South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) conference February 17–19, in Myrtle Beach. Dr. Mark Dougherty, dean of students, is the College’s outstanding administrator. Melinda Hoover, I-BEST instructor, is the outstanding instructor. Dr. Laneika Musalini, director of grants, is the outstanding staff nominee. ABOUT SCTEA—The South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) is a professional association of technical education personnel and others interested in post-secondary technical education
Dr. Laneika Musalini
Jonathan Chastain
Jonathan Warnock 6 • CONNECTION
Four Presented at SCTEA Conference The South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) annual conference was held February 17-19 in Myrtle Beach and featured keynote speaker Governor Henry McMaster. The conference theme was Soaring Above the Obstacles. Four of our faculty and staff were presenters at the conference. Three presented with a colleague from Piedmont Technical College (PTC). Jonathan Chastain, Mourning Pace, and Jonathan Warnock, instructors in Academic and Career Foundations, presented with Charlene Ledford from PTC. Their presentation was titled “What You Need to Know About Joining the SC Organization for Student Success.”
Gabe Hollingsworth, director of TC Central, presented a session on “Enrollment Services One-Stop: What It Was and What It Is Now.”
Dr. Musalini Serves as Guest Panelist for NCURA Webinar Gabe Hollingsworth Director of Grants Dr. Laneika Musalini served as a guest panelist for a national diversity, equity and inclusion webinar held January 26. The webinar was titled “Breaking Down Cultural Norms within the Academic Setting: Strategies for Creating a Safe Space for Honest and Open Dialogue.” The event was sponsored by the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). Dr. Musalini is the past chair of the organization’s presidential task force on diversity and inclusion and currently chairs the NCURA Region III D&I Committee and is DEI advisor to the executive committee. In 2020 she was honored by NCURA with the 2020 Distinguished Service Award for Region III.
Dr. Jackie Blakley Guest Speaker at Chamber Event Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of the business and public services division, was the guest speaker at the Clemson Chamber’s Women in Business Luncheon held January 18. Women in Business is designed for women to have their own space to Dr. Jackie Blakley network over lunch. The topic of her speech was self-care in the new year.
SCATCC Recognizes Helen Rosemond-Saunders TCTC Commissioner Helen Rosemond-Saunders was recognized February 2 for more than 20 years of service to the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners (SCATCC). Mrs. Rosemond-Saunders currently serves on the organization’s Helen Rosemondexecutive board and in 2017 was named Saunders Commissioner of the Year by SCATCC. SCATCC strives to foster cooperation, communication and improve the dissemination of information regarding the system’s colleges. Its goal is to improve the state’s technical college
system through the professional development of its commissioners. Mrs. Rosemond-Saunders has been an advocate for community and technical college education her entire career. A lifelong educator, she was appointed to serve on the Commission in 1993. In 1997 she was elected vice chair, and later served as chair from 2007-11. She is known throughout the state for her determined efforts to improve the community and postsecondary education.
Third Leadership TCTC Cohort Graduates
The Fall Leadership TCTC cohorts are pictured here from left (back row) Erin Smith, Emma Robinson, Amy Littleton, Melissa Baxter, Dr. Carolyn Walker, and Travis Durham and (front row) Greg Grogan, Matt Simon, Rachel Elkins, Pam McWhorter and Corey Evans.
Graduates of the Leadership TCTC’s third cohort celebrated their success at their final meeting Not pictured are Jessica Raymond, Katy Hardy, Carlos Howard, Gabe Hollingsworth, Dr. February 3. Beverly McAdams and Jeremy McCracken. Leadership TCTC is an eight-week program aimed at helping our leaders develop a solid foundation of leadership Community Colleges competency framework and is taught by competencies that can help move the College forward. The subject matter experts from across the College. program was developed using the American Association of The new spring cohort began February 21.
Men of Color and Women of Color Welcome Event Held A welcome event for men and women of color was held January 26 for day and evening students. Sponsored by the Men of Color Committee, the event was designed to connect students with the people and resources they may need to
help them to be successful students. Students attended the drop-in events to learn more about activities, campus resources and services and initiatives through the Men of Color program. They also networked with faculty, staff and students. The event was open to all students. The Men of Color Committee, comprised of administrators, faculty and staff, was created in January 2019. The goal is to educate, motivate, inspire, and empower these minority students and to let them know they have a place at TriCounty. The committee works intentionally to create an inclusive learning environment that fosters success where young men and women of color feel safe, welcomed and valued. Travis Durham, student conduct and advocacy coordinator and a member of the Men of Color committee, talks with Mekaila Johnson, an early child development major.
Men of Color Scholarship Golf Tournament Set for April 7 Late last year the Men of Color Committee sponsored a bake sale that raised $1,270 for the MOC Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to two students this year. Another fundraising opportunity will occur this spring with the first annual TCTC Men of Color Scholarship Golf
Tournament set for April 7 at Southern Oaks Golf Course in Easley. Mark your calendar to play in the tournament or sign up to be a sponsor. For more information contact Brian Smith at bsmith69@tctc.edu.
January/February 2022 • 7
in transition Jennifer Woody joined the College in January as regional career specialist. In her role, Jennifer acts as a liaison between the South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education, and the region’s school districts to ensure coordination, accountability and delivery of career Jennifer Woody guidance. She earned an early childhood/elementary education degree as well as a master’s degree in administration/supervision from Anderson University. She also holds a certification in gifted and talent education from Converse College. For the last five years, she served as assistant principal at Fair-Oak Elementary School in Fair Play. Prior to that she was a third grade teacher for Anderson School District I. She began her career in Anderson School District 5 where she taught third, fourth and fifth grades for 10 years. She and her son, Malachi, 10, live in Anderson. Madeline Compton joined the Tri-County team in January serving as library services generalist in the Learning Commons. She comes to us from the Oconee County government office where she was a grants writer and coordinator. Prior to that she was a receptionist at Happistance Complete Veterinary Care Clinic. Madeline graduated cum laude Madeline Compton from the University of South Carolina with bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications in 2018. Currently she is pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science at USC. She plans to complete the degree in December. Madeline lives in Westminster. Crystal Pitrois Takayama joined the Tri-County team in January as the developmental English program director in Comprehensive Studies. Since 2005 she has been employed at Greenville Technical College (GTC), where she was a reading instructor, English academic program director (academic advancement) and academic Crystal Pitrois Takayama connections department chair. She holds a bachelor of arts in French and economics from Agnes Scott College and a master’s of education degree from Converse College.
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Crystal is the recipient of the National Resources Center for First-Year Experience Student Advocate award in 2021; National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence award in 2018 and 2020; GTC’s President’s Service Excellence award in 2019; Academic Advancement and Support Divisional Professor of the Year in 2018 and 2020; and the South Carolina Association of Developmental Education Exceptional Service to Student award in 2015. She and her husband, Thomas, live in Greenville. Jesse Morgan joined TCTC in May of 2014 as an adjunct instructor and recently accepted the role of full-time art instructor. He is a magma cum laude graduate of Anderson University where he was named outstanding painting student. He earned an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts where he received the Jessica Lutz/Roy Levin Jesse Morgan award for outstanding achievement in both studio and research processes. He is a member of the Society of Literature, Science and Art. He has presented his work at Arizona State University and USC. Jesse lives in Anderson. Janet Addis has worked in our Technical Skills for Success (TSS) program for three years and recently assumed the position of curriculum developer. Previous professional experience includes project development and management at Fidelity Investments, Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston Janet Addis University, and Vanderbilt University. Janet holds a bachelor of arts degree in classical studies from Vanderbilt University, and a master’s of sacred theology degree and a master’s of theological studies, both from Boston University, She and her husband, Harry Anderson, live in Greenville. Allison Bates is the operations assistant for the Registrar’s Office/ Student Data Center. She worked for the School District of Pickens County (Liberty High School) for 22 years serving as virtual school coordinator for the last 15 years. She and her husband, Trent, live in Central. They have two children, Aaron, 22, and Autumn, 19.
Allison Bates
Patriots’ Place Holds Open House for Veterans
Travis Durham, student conduct and advocacy coordinator, left, is pictured with Anthony Melnik, of Anderson, an information technology major who plans to transfer to Clemson University. Melnik served four years in the Marine Corps.
Patriots’ Place is TCTC’s student veterans academic lounge. It is located in Anderson Hall, Room 109, on the Pendleton Campus. A Spring 2022 Open House was held February 22 for student veterans, as well as faculty and staff veterans. The goal is to help students create networking opportunities and to share valuable resources with our student veterans. In the fall of 2013 TCTC opened Patriots’ Place, a resource center specifically for our student veterans. Patriots’ Place offers student veterans an area where they may access resources, relax, study and socialize with other student veterans. TCTC has nearly than 200 veterans enrolled on all of our campuses.
President’s List Recipients Honored President DeHay, pictured center, poses with President’s List recipients at a reception held February 14. Recipients enjoyed hot cocoa and Valentine’s Day-themed cookies prior to receiving their certificates. 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; and cannot earn an “F,” “WF,” or “U” grade for courses numbered 100 or below, Math 150 or English 150.
Cortney Burgess Is Guest Speaker at Men of Color Event Cortney Burgess, site director for Upstate Fatherhood Coalition (Anderson), was the guest speaker for the Men of Color’s first event for spring semester. His topic was community fatherhood. Burgess also serves on the College’s Board of Visitors.
January/February 2022 • 9
retirements Sue Dacus and Betty Fant We bid a fond farewell to two familiar faces who have influenced faculty, staff and students over the years with their knowledge, care and service.
students with this same energy. What better way to serve than to be calming and welcoming as a nervous or confused student comes in? I am pleased to have spent the last year getting to know and appreciate her and her service to our students. Her wit and humor are unmatched and her ‘spunk’ will be missed.” “It has been 11 wonderful years,” said Betty. “Helping others in our community, that’s my joy, my passion. Tri-County helped me to develop skills to help those in need who don’t know the way,” said Sue, who is an ordained minister. “I love people and I love helping people. I appreciate each of you. You are my family.”
Susan Womack
Betty Fant, left, and Sue Dacus
Family, friends and retirees joined the Corporate and Community Education (CCE) Division team January 31 to celebrate the retirement of its longest-standing staff member, Susan Womack. She spent 24 years in the CCE Division, most recently as operations assistant, and has worked at the College for 31 years. “We’ll miss her and all that she has done for CCE and TriCounty Technical College,” said Amy Littleton, CCE operations manager. “Her retirement is leaving a huge void.” Susan told her colleagues that her time at TCTC has been “a thrill. Thank you all so much. Writing my letter of resignation was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. We in CCE are a focused group with a goal. We all adhere to the customer pledge that is posted at the front door. As a group we sat down and wrote it collectively. Everybody was on board. It’s our goal every day.” She joined the CCE Division in 1997 as an administrative specialist for the registration office and later moved to the health care area as its administrative specialist from 1998 to 2009. She served as customer service unit manager for several years until she was named operations assistant. She received a business management degree in 1985 and joined Tri-County September 1, 1990, as a clerk working a split shift in the Bookstore.
Sue Dacus, senior data analyst focusing on veterans affairs, and Betty Fant, administrative specialist for financial aid, retired on January 31. Sue has 34 years of service and Betty has been with the College for 11 years. Both are TCTC alumnae. Sue earned an associate degree in business management from TriCounty Technical College and later a bachelor’s degree in human services from Anderson University in 2013. Betty earned a management degree in 2014. “Saying thank you will never be enough,” said Cathy Cole, assistant director of the Registrar’s Office/Student Data Center (ROSDC). “I met Sue Dacus on Monday, July 15, 2002, and it’s been an honor and personal privilege to serve next to her for all these years,” said Registrar Scott Harvey, who has worked directly with Sue for 22 years. “Sue’s unyielding dedication to the success of our students has always been a defining characteristic of her work at the College. Sue exemplifies kindness, consideration, and respect for everyone she meets. I am grateful for Sue, for the personal and professional lessons she has taught me over the years, and for the unwavering support she has given … she has been an amazing colleague and friend and will be missed by all at the College.” “In my short time here, I have come to appreciate many people here at Tri-County, but especially Betty Fant,” said Melanie Gillespie, director of financial aid. “She greets me daily with a smile and a ‘good morning!’ This genuinely means something to new folks as they are nervous and in a new space, learning new things. I have listened as Betty serves Susan Womack, center, and the CCE team. 10 • CONNECTION
The Beginning of a Great Career Somer Smith Phlebotomy Graduate (2020) Twenty-nine-year-old Somer Smith thought about college for the very first time last year when a flyer about TCTC’s phlebotomy program caught her eye. She had worked in health care as a certified nurse aide for seven years after high school but became a stay-at-home mom following the birth of her three-year-old son in 2018. She admits she entered classes with trepidation, but that soon subsided, thanks to a support system that continued throughout the program. “The instructors are supportive; they
want you to be successful. They are your village, a support system who cares,” she said. Smith completed the prerequisite courses along with the 12-week phlebotomy curriculum and received a job offer before graduation. “Within a week of my interview, I had a hiring packet in hand.” After six months of working as a phlebotomist at Beach Medical Clinic in Anderson, she was promoted to manager on November 11, 2021. “TCTC changed my life,” she said. “Before, I was struggling to find motivation. But I have a young son and I know I have to provide a future for him. I wanted a career that I and my son could be proud of. I love my job.” She continues to set both personal and professional goals. “I want to add to my credentials and keep building my skills. TCTC will be the place I enroll. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. This is the beginning of a great career.”
Attendees Enroll in High Demand Programs at Open House Sixty individuals attended the January 6 expanded open house to learn about career paths through Quickjobs training programs and full associate degrees. Many of these high demand programs are covered through the new S.C. Workforce Scholarships for the Future, whereby South Carolina residents can take advantage of zero-cost tuition for spring semester. Representatives from across the College’s Corporate and Community Education (CCE) Division and credit programs were on hand to answer questions and help folks select a career path that works for them and their life goals. Julia McKelvey, of Easley, left, talks to CCE training coordinator/instructor Devona Tucker about medical billing classes.
Demonstration Rodeo for Power Lineman Program Held Eight students who completed the Corporate and Community Education Division’s Level I Power Lineman certification classes had a chance to showcase their skills for future employers at a demonstration rodeo January 20. Potential employers attended the rodeo which served as a demonstration of the students’ power lineman skills obtained during their classroom and skills training. Graduates demonstrated pole climbing, pole top rescue, demo digging and setting poles—all skills learned during their 12week classroom and skills training. Fox Carolina and WSPA-TV featured power line training graduates’ skills in segments that aired January 20.
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P.O. Box 587 • Pendleton, S.C. 29670
Emergency Management Training Group Meets The Emergency Management Training group held its first tabletop exercise January 11 to discuss the development and delivery of emergency operations plans and procedures and emergency preparedness training to ensure the College is prepared in the event of a crisis. TCTC Police Chief Marcus Guess led the conversation/discussion about TCTC’s implementation of emergency preparedness protocols that would be followed if, for example, an active shooter should be on campus. The group also discussed their proposed roles and responsibilities and working together with area law enforcement agencies to share resources and capabilities.
Chief Marcus Guess leads the Emergency Management Training meeting.
Faculty, Staff, Students Participate in Blood Drive History instructor Alex Eaton was among the faculty, staff and students who participated in a February 8 blood drive through The Blood Connection.
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