Connection Newsletter May-June 2023

Connection

Commissioner Helen Rosemond-Saunders Celebrates 30 Years of Service, Receives Order of The Silver Crescent

Helen Rosemond-Saunders arrived an hour early to the Tri-County Technical College Commission meeting on June 12 excited to celebrate her 30 years of service on TCTC’s governing board at a special luncheon with TCTC President Galen DeHay, fellow Commission members and family. One guest she didn’t expect was Senator Thomas Alexander, who joined the crowd and presented her with the Order of the Silver Crescent, the state’s highest civilian award.

The honor is awarded by the governor to individuals who have made significant contributions through leadership and volunteerism, and have been a lifelong influence on a region or community. The honoree receives a certificate signed by the governor and bears an impression of the state seal.

Commissioner Rosemond-Saunders has been an advocate for community and technical college education her entire career, said Senator Alexander. President DeHay added that the retired educator “is known for her determined efforts to improve the community and postsecondary education, particularly for minority populations and first-generation college students.”

“Her passion for education has been at the forefront of everything she has done in her professional career as an educator, in her community and while serving three decades on the TCTC Commission. She has impacted so many lives as she has guided students to success. She is a shining example for all to follow,” said Senator Alexander.

“This award is a recognition of her lifelong service to her family, her church, her community and Tri-County Technical College. I am so pleased the governor has honored her with the Order of the Silver Crescent and I am honored to present this award today,” Senator Alexander said.

In recognition of her tireless service to TCTC, the Oconee community and the state of South Carolina, the TCTC Foundation has established a scholarship in her name. The Helen Rosemond-Saunders Scholarship is endowed and will support students of color who reside in Oconee County.

Rosemond-Saunders was appointed to serve on the TCTC Commission in 1993. In 1997 she was elected vice chair and later served as chair from 2007 to 2011. Currently she serves on the Curriculum and Instruction Committee.

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Pamela Altstatt Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award 4

Mia Tensley Receives Presidential Medallion 3

Graduation at a Glance 5

Helen Rosemond-Saunders receives Order of the Silver Crescent. Senator Thomas Alexander presented the award.

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

tctc.edu

2022-2023 Academic Year a Success

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.

The 2022-2023 academic year was a success in many ways. First, we exceeded our fall and spring enrollment goals with more than 5,000 students enrolled in a credit program each semester. In addition, nearly 2,000 students enrolled in a non-credit program through our Corporate and Community Education Division in the fall and more than 1,200 enrolled in a non-credit program in the spring.

Dr. Galen DeHay President

While we are not yet where we were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are making progress. This is especially true as it relates to our minority student population. In fact, in the fall, we enrolled the highest number of Hispanic students ever at the College. This is the result of many things, including intentional outreach efforts ranging from community listening sessions and partnerships with community leaders and influencers to engaging with entire families to help them see that college is a possibility and that Tri-County is the college for them.

Second, I am pleased to share that our performance on key measures of student success remains strong. In fact, for the current year, Tri-County is the only college in the S.C. Technical College System to meet or exceed the targets for all of the state-established success measures! These measures include graduate placement, licensure exams pass rate, fall-to-spring persistence, graduate production, and overall student success. I believe our continued focus on learning and providing the kinds of wrap-around support services that enable students to balance school with work and family life are what make us successful.

In addition, we implemented a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) between fall 2016 and 2022 that was focused on imbedding High-Impact Practices (HIPs) into all associate degree and diploma programs. HIPs are research-based learning frameworks that improve student learning, engagement, and course completion. During that time, we saw technical program course success rates for all students increase by 3% with even greater impact occurring among our minority and first-generation students. The substantial improvement for some of the most at-risk populations is a testament to our faculty and staff’s determination to support transformative learning experiences that truly change lives.

Lastly, we used input from students and employees to create the College’s first-ever campus mural. The mural aims to evoke a sense of belonging and is intended to serve as a landmark where students can celebrate being a Tri-County student. It is also interactive and showcases the College’s colors and region. You are welcome to stop by the Pendleton Campus anytime to see the mural and take pictures with it.

I wish you all a fun and safe summer, and I look forward to the start of another strong academic year.

In your service,

Galen

DeHay,

Ph.D. President

Mia Tensley Receives Presidential Medallion For Instructional Excellence

Mia Tensley’s dedication to TCTC, her students, and her craft earned her the highest award presented to faculty.

Tensley, a Reading and College Skills instructor in the Academic and Career Foundations (ACF) Division, and Faculty Liaison for the Office of Academic Development, was honored May 4 with the Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence at the College’s spring convocation.

The medallion is presented each year to the instructor who has contributed the most during the academic year to the profession of teaching, to the development of the College and to the students.

“Mia exemplifies the mission and values of Tri-County in every interaction she has with students, faculty, staff, and members of our community,” her colleagues in the ACF Division wrote in their nomination letter. “From the beginning of her time in this department, Mia’s commitment to the success of her students has been evident. If you have ever had the pleasure of sitting in one of her virtual or face-to-face classes or merely walking past in the hallway, you will hear sound effects, laughter, and clear examples of student engagement. Mia consistently does everything in her power to keep the attention of her students so that they will remain focused on her lessons and be more likely to retain the material. She is passionate about helping students succeed, so she embraces the opportunity to reach as many students as possible in as many ways possible,” coworkers wrote.

Jennifer Hulehan, dean of ACF and the Arts and Sciences Division, said, “I have had the opportunity to join Mia in her synchronous online classes, and the energy and engagement of her students is a testament to her dedication to creating and delivering high-quality learning experiences in any environment. Each class meeting offers active, participatory experiences that include collaboration and teamwork. Students truly enjoy her classes.”

In addition to teaching students, in her role as faculty liaison, Tensley teaches Learning College 101, a course which provides 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.

Tensley understands the value of community college education. She earned her first college degree, an associate in arts, from TCTC in 2001. She is always telling the TCTC story to her students.

“When I enrolled in the University Transfer program, I was a first-generation college student without a clear understanding of college,” Tensley said. “Instructors gave me support and just enough resistance to empower me to complete that portion of my educational path. I returned to Tri-County as an instructor as I am a strong believer that in life, I cannot simply ‘take from the table’ and

that ‘service to others is the rent we pay for our room on Earth.’ I have found that being involved at Tri-County affords me the ability to pay forward what was liberally given to me.”

In 2019 Tensley was recognized as one of the College’s Educators of the Year at the South Carolina Technical Education Association annual conference and her peers elected her Faculty Senate President.

She was instrumental in launching TCTC’s inaugural transfer fair focused on historically black colleges and universities and minority serving institutions in 2021. She served on the College’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Council and the Student Enrichment Committee.

Tensley recently supported the College’s efforts to increase outreach opportunities in underserved communities through her participation in community listening sessions in partnership with the Homeland Park Baptist Church’s Community Center.

Her commitment to her community extends beyond TCTC. In February Tensley was appointed to the Pendleton Foundation for Black History and Culture board. She was recognized April 17 by Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre and the Clemson City Council for her work as a founding member of the Clemson Area African American Museum (CAAAM) and as the chair of the Friends of CAAAM for the past two years. As the Friends of CAAAM chair, Tensley led efforts to support the mission of CAAAM, which is to collect, interpret, exhibit, and preserve the history of African Americans in Clemson and Upstate South Carolina. She also served as the Juneteenth Coordinator, raising funds and coordinating logistics for the celebration of the historical event, and represented the group on the City of Clemson’s Art and Culture Commission.

In addition to her TCTC degree, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Clemson University. While at Clemson, she received the John Richardson Award for Excellence in Education. She also earned an M.Ed. in Literacy and Curriculum from Grand Canyon University and an R2S Literacy Certification from the South Carolina Department of Education. In 2022 she began Southern Wesleyan’s doctoral program in Curriculum and Assessment.

She and her husband, Demetrick, and their two daughters, live in Central.

Mia Tensley

Pamela Altstatt Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award

Pamela Altstatt’s passion for providing learning experiences that support students’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing was recognized when she received the 2023 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award.

This award is given annually at spring convocation to the adjunct faculty member who is recognized for excellence in teaching, who has consistently high student evaluations and who supports the philosophy and goals of the College.

Altstatt began her career at TCTC as an adjunct instructor in 2018 for the Academic and Career Foundations (ACF) Divison and became a lecturer in 2020, teaching every semester in addition to serving as an academic advisor in the summers.

“You won’t find a bigger cheerleader for students, employees and the College than Pamela Altstatt,” said Jennifer Hulehan, dean of ACF and the Arts and Sciences Division. “Her commitment to high quality teaching and learning experiences is second to none. She is committed to the ACF mission of cultivating in students the foundational knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary for success in their college career and life experiences.”

Altstatt, a clinical exercise physiologist, leads Sports Fitness Training (SFT-109), a three-hour university transfer course that focuses on improving individual health through knowledge and application.

Through the ACF Division, the class is offered as an option for all students at TCTC. SFT-109 is now a requirement for all Criminal Justice majors.

“This is a clinically-based program,” added Altstatt. We are looking at and understanding disease processes, like high blood pressure, and how to reverse them through diet and exercise,” she said. Students are learning to develop customized nutrition and exercise programs. Other class outcomes are improved mental and physical health and stress management.

“Pamela emphasizes positive lifelong habits that provide lifelong benefits. Students are learning to make better life choices,” said Corey Evans, instructor. “SFT-109 is intentional about building a stronger, healthier workforce and a stronger, healthier community,” Evans said.

When the class was introduced in 2019, there were two sections per semester. Based on her success in the classroom, Altstatt has helped grow this class to more than eight sections a semester.

Altstatt helped develop an obstacle course at TCTC’s Anderson Campus. This obstacle course is specially designed to help Criminal Justice majors qualify for the Physical Agility Test, or PAT, a statemandated requirement for the police academy.

Altstatt was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Service to Students Award at this year’s South Carolina Organization for Student Success (SCOSS) conference. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from California State University and a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology from California State University.

She and her husband, Hamilton Altstatt, a veteran composer/ sound designer whose tracks were used in the “Avengers: Endgame” trailers, live in Seneca.

Pamela Altstatt Is Passionate about Her Profession

Pamela Altstatt is a clinical exercise physiologist who works with professional athletes. She is also an author who contributed a chapter in the book, “Get with the Program,” which won her an Editor’s Choice award. She donates proceeds from the book to a school in Chicago.

Pamela Altstatt was a 23-year-old exercise physiology graduate student in 2000, living in Los Angeles and was about a month away from graduating from California State University when the phone rang one afternoon—and her life took a different direction.

The person on the other end of the telephone identified himself as Avi Amit, director of health services for Centinela Hospital in Inglewood. He said he had read her thesis on how to reduce and reverse disease process in the 40+ population and he was intrigued with her studies and wanted to know more.

It was April 1—April Fool’s Day—and Altstatt immediately thought it was a joke set up by her study team at Cal State. She decided to play along. The gentleman asked if she was interested in interviewing for a job with the Los Angeles Lakers. “I thought it was a practical joke. My study group was a close bunch and I was convinced they were pranking me,” Altstatt remembered. She wrote down the directions and agreed to meet him several days later, fully expecting her friends to be present. Instead, she found herself engaged in an hour-long interview with Amit, who called her when she arrived home and offered her a job.

She didn’t hesitate. “I said yes to the job.”

After completing her master’s degree, Altstatt worked for the owners of professional athletic teams during the week and

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Pamela Altstatt

Graduation at a Glance

The College celebrated its 2023 spring graduates May 9 at Littlejohn Coliseum.

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who delivered the keynote address, wrote on social media:

“SC’s world-class technical colleges do so much to prepare students to join our thriving #SCworkforce and your achievements continue to shift the mindset about higher education options in this country. I wish you all the best as you enter the workforce and live out TCTC’s vision of transforming lives and building strong communities right here in the Palmetto State! Keep dreaming big, working hard, and aiming higher. #AimHigherSC”

Men of Color Student Advisory Board Members Attend Summit

The College sponsored students from the TCTC Men of Color student advisory board to attend the 6th annual Clemson University Men of Color National Summit on March 28 and 29 at the Greenville Convention Center. The mission of the Clemson University Men of Color National Summit is to close the opportunity gap for African American and Hispanic males, from cradle to career. “This was a great experience and opportunity for students to learn and network,” said Travis Durham, director of student engagement and accountability and advisor for the MOC.

left: Elijah Jean, a Seneca resident, who is the first recipient of the Bruce Norton Memorial Scholarship, received a Welding degree. Jean received his GED in 2008 and began working in the food service industry until the mid2000s and later worked in manufacturing. He also serves as a community chaplain in the Utica area.

right: Chas Fisher flashes a smile after receiving an Industrial Electronics Technology degree.

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette posed with President DeHay and the Commission prior to the ceremony.

Criminal Justice majors, from left, Candice Sparks, Madison Medlin and Alyson Philbin pose for a photo prior to the ceremony. Sparks is transferring to Clemson this fall to pursue a Criminal Justice degree; Medlin is a dispatcher for the Easley City Police Department; and Philbin is headed to the University of Central Florida this fall to study Criminal Justice.

Dual Enrollment Student Chosen for Michelin Scholars Program

Cole Hill learned a month before graduating from Crescent High School that he was among a select group of individuals chosen for the prestigious Michelin Technical Scholars program.

Hill, 18, has been preparing to study Mechatronics at Tri-County Technical College by taking dual enrollment classes at the College’s Anderson Campus and by earning Technical Advanced Placement (TAP) credit.

Hill passed the aptitude test required by Michelin to be eligible for consideration for the company’s Technical Scholars Program. Applicants must pass an aptitude test administered by Michelin officials and an interview with plant representatives. Scholars must maintain full-time (12) credit hours and a 2.5 grade point average.

With 12 college credit hours accrued, Hill will enter TCTC this summer and begin working 20 hours a week at the US10 plant as a Michelin Technical Scholar. He will be paired with a maintenance reliability technician to get hands-on experience that will complement his studies at TCTC.

With Michelin covering the cost of tuition, fees, and books, Hill will graduate debt free.

Michelin created a Technical Scholars program at area technical colleges to grow their own technicians, said Jacob Bouchillon, Technical Scholars/Maintenance Early Scholar manager for Michelin plants in the U.S. “The goal of the scholars program is to work directly with students to ensure we’re prepared for the jobs and demands of the future,” he added.

“We have an extremely high success rate with our scholars becoming full-time employees after they graduate,” said Bouchillon, who at age 27, was one of the manufacturer’s youngest instructors for its internal technical training school. There are 98 technical

scholars, from 16 technical colleges participating in Michelin Technical Scholars programs across the U.S.

Bouchillon took on his current role in Technical Recruiting and overseeing the Michelin Technical Scholars and Maintenance Early Scholars programs on December 1, 2021.

“Tri-County students are top notch. They have demonstrated desired drive and motivation. Associate degree graduates have excellent hands-on skills. They are in high demand.”

Bouchillon’s career pathway at Michelin began 15 years ago when he was selected as a Michelin Scholar. Following graduation in 2008 from TCTC’s Industrial Electronics Technology (IET) program, he was hired full time. “The scholars program opened up opportunities for me and it will do the same for Cole,” said Bouchillon.

TCTC, Lander Announce New Transfer Partnership

TCTC and Lander University announced a new transfer partnership for students who are looking to advance their education in marketing, management, accounting, education or digital media production.

Officials from both institutions met April 12 to sign articulation agreements that will allow TCTC students to easily transfer their credits into the equivalent baccalaureate program at Lander, entering as juniors. Students who meet the requirements of their degree program will be guaranteed admission to Lander and will receive priority acceptance in their program.

“Our mission at TriCounty is to provide students an exceptional and affordable

learning experience that improves their quality of life while advancing economic development in our region by preparing a highly-skilled workforce,” said TCTC President Dr. Galen DeHay. “We are proud to partner with Lander University to create opportunities for our students to earn an advanced degree and a rewarding career in a high-demand field like accounting, business administration, digital media production, and early childhood education.”

Pictured from left are Ken Peterson, Leanne Cobb, Cole Hill, Michelin scholar, and Jacob Bouchillon.

Battle of the Deans

Immediately following spring convocation, the Battle of the Deans BBQ kicked off in support of SOAR scholarships. Faculty and staff enjoyed barbeque of all kinds (created by their favorite deans) and partook in sides and drinks.

Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of the Business and Public Services division, was voted “Most Smokin’ Dean,” which was judged on overall presentation, BBQ taste, team spirit and money raised. Adam Ghiloni took home the People’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year, and celebrity judges chose Bryan Manuel to receive the Judge’s Choice Award. The deans raised a total of $3,065 to support the SOAR (Strive, Overcome, Achieve, and Rise) scholarship.

Cara Hamilton won the set of four Michelin tires in the prize drawing to support SOAR.

Duke Energy Continues Support on National Lineworker Appreciation Day

National Lineworker Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on April 18 and honors the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers.

Duke Energy celebrated its partnership with TCTC by presenting a $10,000 check to College officials in support of the program.

Pictured from left are James Guthrie, instructor; Grayson Kelly, vice president for institutional advancement and business relations; Emily DeRoberts, district manager for government and community relations for Duke Energy; President DeHay; and instructor David Reese.

Food Lion Donates to Student Support Pantry

Many thanks to Food Lion, who donated more than $800 worth of items—weighing 700 pounds—to the TCTC Student Support Pantry. The pantry supports students in need with short-term food assistance. Emma Robinson, coordinator of student resource programs at TCTC, left, pictured here with Croslena BroadwaterJohnson, director of student support, asks faculty and staff to remind students that the Student Support Pantry is open year-round.

Bryan Manuel

Dr. Jackie Blakley, Heidi Mathis and Stacey Schiff

Adam Ghiloni and Melanie Gillespie

Our College Family

In Transition

Jennifer Hulehan expanded her role at the College and began serving as dean of both the Academic and Career Foundations Division and the Arts and Sciences Division on May 1.

Dr. Tom Lawrence remains on staff. He has chosen to take a step back from his duties as dean and serves as program director for the Criminal Justice Department.

As dean of the Arts and Sciences Division, Hulehan is responsible for directly supervising the assistant dean of Arts and Humanities and the assistant dean of Mathematics and Science. She also provides leadership for faculty and staff in the Arts and Sciences Division.

As dean of Academic and Career Foundations, Hulehan is responsible for directly supervising the director of I-BEST and the assistant dean of Academic and Career Foundations. Hulehan also provides leadership for faculty and staff in Academic and Career Foundations, and she will continue to teach three courses: College Skills, Freshman Seminar and English.

She began her career at Tri-County teaching in the English Department and has more than 18 years of experience in higher education, specifically in teaching and learning for under-resourced populations. She has both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in English from Winthrop University. In addition, she represents Ward 3 on Simpsonville City Council.

Sarah Shumpert has assumed a new role at the College. Effective June 1, Shumpert is the College’s first Organizational Development Strategist. She also serves as a member of Executive Staff.

As Organizational Development Strategist, Shumpert is responsible for improving alignment between our strategies and our behaviors and processes; building the College’s capacity to manage change; and facilitating the design of interventions that will improve the College’s performance and effectiveness.

She began her career at TCTC 23 years ago as director of Curriculum and Instructional Support. She served in that role for 19 years before transitioning to director of Academic Development.

Shumpert has extensive experience working with teams to identify problems and designing and implementing interventions that lead to improved performance. Some examples include Title III and our QEP projects that have led to improved student learning.

Amber Mulkey is the director of the Oconee Campus. She manages the operation of the Oconee Campus, communicating with appropriate administrators and staff from academic affairs, student affairs, and business affairs. She works closely with others on matters related to instructional delivery, credit and non-credit class scheduling and student services

Callie Mauldin joined the Office of Fiscal Affairs as an accounting technician. She is focused on analyzing, auditing, tracking reconciling, spreadsheet development, and recordkeeping.

Hannah Hoskins is a financial aid coordinator. She counsels students in student aid eligibility and renewal, aid application, and financial planning for higher education.

Meredith Wheeler has been with the College since November 2022 and recently accepted the job as a student services coordinator. She is responsible for assisting in the planning and implementation of programs and services that support student success by connecting the students with campus and community resources to foster improved academic success. She works collaboratively with the Student Development team to create and deliver programs and services for whole student growth and development.

Ashley Vaughan has taught history at Tri-County since the fall of 2017 and is now in the success coach role. She supports students outside of the classroom through enrollment, advising and registration and early alert efforts.

Excellence Through Service

Service Excellence Team Holds Inaugural Transformative Service Awards Dinner

• Cathy Strasser, Program Assistant, Academic and Career Foundations Division

• Precious Vandiver, Nursing and EMT Administrative Specialist, Health Education Division

• Elizabeth Wallace, Learning Support Coordinator, Academic and Career Foundations Division

Rural Educators Academy Cohort

The Service Excellence Team (SET) held its first employee Transformative Service Awards banquet April 19. Faculty, staff and administrators were nominated by their peers and 19 colleagues received a Transformative Service Award. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify transformative service and consistently demonstrate the College’s core values of integrity, respect, learning, collaboration, innovation and diversity and inclusion.

Dr. DeHay praised Laura McClain and Travis Durham (co-chairs) and the Service Excellence Team.

“Thank you for providing an opportunity to recognize great employees who are committed to excellent service. I also heard from numerous recipients they truly felt appreciated. I am deeply appreciative that each of you show what it means to be invested, competent, approachable, responsive, and engaged! You truly care!”

Congratulations to all of our inaugural winners!

• Julie Beard, Program Director, Licensed Practical Nursing

• Dr. Jackie Blakley, Dean, Business and Public Services Division

• Frances Boyce, Academic Resource Specialist, Arts and Sciences Division

• Beth Brown, Office of Institutional Advancement

• Priscilla Curvin, Success Coach

• Beverly Franklin, Procurement Specialist

• Virginia Gamble, Continuing Education Adjunct Instructor for Health Care

• Dr. Sharon Homer-Drummond, Instructor, Biology

• August Johnson, Instructor, Business Administration

• Greg Kelley, Instructor, Business Administration

• Dr. Beverly McAdams, Director, Anderson Campus

• Laura McClain, Program Director, Medical Assisting

• Heidi Mathis, Administrative Assistant, Business and Public Services Division

• Stacey Schiff, Instructor, Media Arts Production (MAP)

• Sarah Shumpert, Organizational Development Strategist

• Matt Simon, Instructor, English

This year the first cohort of faculty and staff participated in a new professional development venture called the Rural Educators Academy, organized by Community Colleges of Appalachia (CCA).

The goal is to increase awareness of challenges and struggles of our underresourced students and to provide practical interventions for faculty and staff to incorporate into their practice.

Pictured from left are Som Linthicum, Shallin Williams, Dr. Sharon Homer-Drummond, Travis Durham, facilitator, Tracey Hotham, Linda Jameison, and Dr. DeHay, who serves as chair-elect of the CCA board. Not pictured are Amelia Borders and Rebecca Pokorny.

TCTC is a partner with CCA, who received funding from the Ascendium Education Group for Developing the Rural Educators Academy (REA) project over a 24-month grant period, which began November 1, 2021.

Leanne

Cobb Is VP of Anderson Area SHRM

Leanne Cobb, work-based learning coordinator in the Career and Employability Resources office, was sworn in May 4 as vice president of the Anderson Area Society for Human Resource Managers.

Stacy Smith Elected Faculty Advisor For SNA State Board

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) instructor

Stacy Smith was elected Faculty Advisor for the Student Nurses Association (SNA) State Board at the state convention held in Greenville recently. Smith and ADN instructor Katie Anderson serve as co-faculty advisors for TCTC’s SNA.

Paul Hyde Elected to Greenville Chorale Board

English instructor Paul Hyde recently was elected to the board of directors of the Greenville Chorale, the 160-voice chorus celebrating its 62nd season. The Chorale often performs the cornerstone works of the orchestra-and-choral repertoire with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. Hyde has sung with the Chorale for the past four years. A longtime arts journalist, Hyde also serves on the boards of Glow Lyric Theatre and Clemson Little Theatre.

Hulehan and Johnson Attend Resource Fair for MultiLingual Families

Jennifer Hulehan, dean of the Academic and Career Foundations Division and the Arts and Sciences Division, and Averie Johnson,

Award Winners

SGA Honors Tracey Hotham With Student Advocate Award

Tracey Hotham, learning strategist in the Learning Commons, received the Student Advocate award in recognition and appreciation of her outstanding vision, commitment to excellence, and dedication to student success.

Each year the award is presented by the Student Government Association at spring convocation. A student’s nomination highlighted Hotham’s passionate dedication to her students and their success.

The student met regularly with Hotham in one-on-one coaching sessions to discuss time management tips and study methods. The student writes: “She has always made me feel safe and heard when I opened up about the struggles I was facing both academically and in my personal life. Tracey is a positive force at TCTC and makes an impact on students who just need that extra helping hand to get their foot through the door in college.”

The College’s Plastic Injection Molding (PIM) program received the Instructional Program Award at the 30th annual Community Colleges of the Appalachia (CCA) annual conference June 6. Josh Ledbetter, instructor, left, and Bryan Manuel, dean of Integrated Workforce Solutions, accepted the award.

PIM is an industry-driven workforce development program designed

enrollment counselor in Academic and Career Foundations, attended the “Your Future Is Bright Fest” resource fair for multi-lingual families in Anderson District 1. They talked with prospective students and parents from the Hispanic community in the Pelzer/Williamston area.

Dr. Carolyn Walker Serves as Judge In Speech Competition

Dr. Carolyn Walker, administrative office technology program director, served as a judge in the Prepared Speaking competition at New Horizons JAG-S.C. Career Development Conference on May 4 in Columbia, SC. JAG (Jobs for Americas Graduates) helps youth facing significant challenges to reach economic and academic success. A total of 234 high school students participated in competitive topics such as financial literacy, career preparation, and employability skills.

to support the career and technical advancement of plastics workers throughout Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. On December 15, 2022, 14 students employed at Baxter Manufacturing, Clarios and Horton successfully completed the seven week, 20-hour program that was taught at TCTC’s Oconee Campus.

There are 75 businesses in the tri-county region that perform plastic injection molding. In recent years occupations in plastic injection molding have grown significantly and are projected to continue to grow 5-10% over the next 10 years, according to data from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. Tri-County’s PIM program targets companies with workers at the operator level who have interest in processing, mold technician and setting work.

TCTC’s Marketing and Public Relations department was among the winners at the South Carolina chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (SCPRSA) Mercury Awards Ceremony and Professional Development Conference.

TCTC was awarded two silver wing awards of merit for Single Issue Publication Print (60th Facts Booklet) and Websites (External). Individual Award Winners were Karen Potter, senior director of Strategic Communications and Engagement, who received the W. Thomas Duke Distinguished Public Relations Practitioner award, and President DeHay, who received the Executive Excellence Award.

SCPRSA is the state’s largest professional association for public relations and communications professionals.

Student Awards Celebrate Excellence Through Service

Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Students

The annual student awards ceremony was held April 5 to celebrate excellence and to honor outstanding students in our academic programs.

Among those honored was Keith Toomer, TCTC’s Outstanding Mechatronics student. Thirty-three years ago, Toomer enrolled at The Citadel, but had academic challenges and dropped out. In 2011 he moved to the Upstate and worked in the plumbing and manufacturing business. He also became involved in a ministry called New Mercies, where he was hired as the housing director for men struggling with lifelong problems. A scholarship opportunity at TCTC led him back to college where he graduated in May with a 4.0. Instructor Kimberly Conner informed him of a job opening at Wal-Mart Distribution Center and after an interview, Toomer was hired on the spot. He began the job as a maintenance technician while completing his studies.

Outstanding EDDA Student Receives Mary Clary Award

Expanded Duty Dental Assisting (EDDA) student Katlyn Holden, pictured right with Program Director Mandy Hanks, is the recipient of the 2023 Mary Clary Award for Assistant of the Year. Holden was presented with a plaque and a $1,500 scholarship at the S.C. Dental Assistants Association (SCDAA) Student Symposium on April 29.

The Mary Clary Memorial Award is given by the SCDA Foundation board to one Dental Assisting student and one Dental Hygiene student in the state each year.

Holden also received the College’s Outstanding Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Student Award in April.

Student Recognized as Member of Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team

Devin Bramlett, left, was recognized as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State Academic Team on April 18. He joined students from the state’s 16 technical colleges at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

He was recognized at TCTC’s Student Awards ceremony for his participation in Alpha Zeta Beta, the TCTC chapter of PTK.

Linda Jameison, vice president of student support and engagement, presented the award.

Associate Degree Nursing Grads Report Perfect Pass Rate on NCLEX

Congratulations to the December graduates of our Associate Degree Nursing program who report a perfect pass rate on the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX).

Thirty-eight first-time candidates who took the NCLEX report a 100% pass rate for the first quarter of 2023 (January 1 – March 31, 2023). Graduates’ scores surpass state and national averages.

The NCLEX exams for ADN programs are computerized exams that test a graduate’s basic nursing knowledge and decision-making ability on commonly encountered health-care situations. Graduates must pass the exam to work as RNs in the state.

New Lock-Out Tag-Out Training Provides Hands-On Experience for Students in EIT Division

Kenny Fletcher, workforce solutions coordinator for the Engineering and Industrial Technology (EIT) Division, recently conducted lock-out tag-out (LOTO) training using the division’s LOTO trainers. This training is essential for anyone who works on or near energized parts and is required by OSHA and NFPA70E. Fletcher was able to teach the training in five course sections this semester, providing a certificate to each student who successfully completed the training. Our LOTO training systems are designed to help employers comply with this training requirement and provide hands-on experience in properly applying various lockout techniques, including electrical disconnect switches, circuit breakers, and control switches. Proper LOTO protocols are an essential tool for any employer with maintenance personnel that deals with electrical safety.

Helen Rosemond-Saunders Receives Order of the Silver Crescent

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During her time as Commission Chair, the College opened three community campuses, two QuickJobs Centers, and a state-of-theart Industrial Technology Center. As an advocate for those from low socioeconomic backgrounds with limited opportunity to pursue higher education, Rosemond-Saunders championed the Connect to College program for high school drop-outs. Her leadership has greatly contributed to the success of Tri-County, which currently has the highest student success rate in the S. C. Technical College System and ranks in the top 1% nationally for successful student transfers.

At the state and national levels, Rosemond-Saunders is a charter member, former chair and vice chair for the S.C. Association of Technical College Commissioners (SCATCC). She also served on its Executive Board.

She currently serves on the Trustee Advisory Committee for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and is past chair of the ACCT Diversity Committee and a past member of its Governance and Bylaws Committee. She spearheaded the development of the first Commissioner Academy to educate new Commissioners about their role in community college governance and advocacy.

She was named the Outstanding Trustee for the Southern Region by the national ACCT in 2017. She also received the Southern Region ACCT Trustee Leadership Award in 2017.

“I have dedicated my life to being a servant for God, the public, education and my community,” said Rosemond-Saunders. “As a Commissioner, I am here to serve our students and our community. I share the community college story—beginning with students in elementary schools—telling them that a community college education is an option for everyone.”

She said she is proud of the College’s successes over the last 60 years, especially the establishment of community campuses which offer students in TCTC’s service area access to a quality education.

USC 20th Annual Women’s Leadership Institute

Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of the Business and Public Services Division, and Dr. Carolyn Walker, department head of Business Technology, participated in the 20th Annual Women’s Leadership Institute on April 26. Around 400 women across 34 South Carolina higher education institutions attended. The theme was Celebrate Empowering Women: A Moment of Firsts, and featured two keynote speakers and 18 workshops in three concurrent sessions.

“TCTC provides opportunities that are life changing. TCTC is the first choice for so many.”

Her tireless dedication to improving education at the local, state and national levels is clearly shown in the countless hours she devotes to advocacy and special projects.

She played a key role in spearheading the construction of a full-scale reproduction of a one-teacher Rosenwald School on the Anderson Campus of Tri-County Technical College. The campus is the site of the nation’s only full-scale reproduction of a one-teacher Rosenwald School. These schools were built in the early 20th century for the education of African Americans in the rural South.

In addition to her work with the Rosenwald School replica, Rosemond-Saunders chairs the Retreat Rosenwald School Renovation Project Committee to raise funds to renovate and preserve an original Rosenwald structure from the early 1900s. She led the committee’s effort to attain status on the National Registry of Historical Places.

In recent months she has been working with local leaders in Seneca and her fellow Blue Ridge High School alumni to transform the building to become a hub for the community.

A retired educator, Rosemond-Saunders began her career in 1967 with the School District of Oconee County and worked as a guidance counselor and home economics and biology teacher. Since retiring, she has served on two School Improvement Councils and the District Diversity Committee.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from South Carolina State University, a master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Clemson University, and 30-plus certifications in Secondary School Guidance from Clemson University.

She was selected as one of 12 distinguished alumni to receive the 2017-2018 Stellar Alumnus for S.C. State University.

She is an active member of Pleasant Hill Baptist in Westminster.

She has two adult sons, Delane and Jim Rosemond, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

Helen Rosemond-Saunders poses with family and friends.

Day of Action

TCTC employees participated in the United Way of Anderson County’s Day of Action on June 3. The TCTC team was partnered with The Lot Project, a non-profit that serves community meals and meets other basic needs of homeless, transient and housinginsecure individuals in the Anderson area. The team spent the morning brightening The Lot Project’s West Market Makers space with blue, yellow and green paint under the direction of local artist Shea Abramo.

Pamela Altstatt

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continued working PRN on weekends for the cardiac rehabilitation programs at leading hospitals within the Los Angeles area designing and implementing individual and group programs for heart and lung transplantation patients, coronary valve repair/replacement, angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass graft patients to measurably increase their quality of life, their fitness abilities, and their independence.

In her job as a CEP with the Los Angeles Lakers, she was responsible for administering four-hour flexibility, strength and stress tests for professional athletes prior to signing contracts with their agents. The L.A. Lakers were her first clients and remain so to this day. Twice a year she travels to Los Angeles and administers tests that determine whether these pro athletes go to training camp and sign multimillion-dollar contracts.

Her second client was the L.A. Sparks. Then came the L.A. Ice Dogs, followed by working on the sets of Survivor and Fear Factor and Beverly Hills 90210.

Her reputation moved her forward and she expanded her clientele as she worked with owners of the L.A. Dodgers, the Chicago Bulls and world-class athletes like Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher and Lisa Leslie.

Over the last 23 years, Altstatt has remained devoted to the theme of her master’s thesis—disease reversal— whether as a CEP for athletes or as an instructor at TCTC.

HVAC Hosts Duct Fair

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program hosted the South Carolina Association of Licensed Trades (SCALT) Duct Fair on March 31 on the Pendleton Campus.

Forty-five participants from across the state attended. Justin Herndon, Industrial Technology department head and HVAC program director, was the speaker. His topic was “Rigid Duct Work Installation and Codes.”

While working as a physical therapist at hospitals, Altstatt noticed that 85% of the patients in the hospital, ranging in ages from 30 to 80, would never be there if they were taught how to eat healthy and exercise. She continues to change lives, now helping TCTC students who are struggling with the same kinds of health and wellness issues that professional athletes do.

“My husband says I have a gift for being honest and finding ways to communicate. I let people be who they are and accept them for who they are and meet them wherever they are in their journeys. I want to inspire my students to want more for themselves, to take time for themselves. I want them to reach their potential, I tell them, ‘This is a marathon, not a sprint.’”

P.O. Box 587

Pendleton, SC 29670

tctc.edu

TCTC Commission Elects Officers

Thomas Strange of Easley will serve a second term as chair of Tri-County Technical College’s Commission, the nine-member governing board of the College. Hamid Mohsseni of Anderson was re-elected vice chair. Jim Wanner of Clemson was elected secretary.

They took office at the April 10 meeting.

Strange, who previously served as the Commission’s vice chair, was appointed to the Commission to represent Pickens County in April 2017, following a three-year term from 2011 to 2014. Until his retirement, Strange worked for 23 years for Abbott (formerly St. Jude Medical) in Liberty. As senior director of research and development, he introduced many new technologies that continue to define state of the art in implantable medical devices for both pacing and arrhythmia correction.

Mohsseni was appointed to the Commission to represent Anderson County in 2020.

He is president and CEO of Anderson Restaurant Group in Anderson. The company operates two full-service restaurants— Tucker’s Restaurant and Carson’s Steak Warehouse & Saloon,

as well as a restaurant management and commercial leasing operation.

Wanner was appointed to the Commission to represent Pickens County in 2019.

Wanner is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of KeyMark, an intelligent automation systems integrator headquartered in Liberty, S.C. Wanner is currently in his 27th year at KeyMark, 23 of which he has served as CEO.

Hamid Mohsseni Jim Wanner

Thomas Strange