Connection November 2017

A Publication from the Office of the President

November/December 2017

In this Issue ...

Tri-County Fall Concert Features Holiday Music ............ 3

Student Success Center Dedication Is January 12

Oconee Campus Construction Underway............. 4

AZB Holds Induction Ceremony................................... 9

TAPS Reaches Out in Community............................... 10

As students departed the Pendleton Campus December 12 following final exams, the new Student Success Center was 95 percent complete, with crew members working on furniture and technology installation, landscaping, exterior handrails, and final finishes. Final inspections will be completed in December.

When students return for spring semester, they will see a three-story building designed intentionally to be open and accessible and dedicated to student support, engagement, and learning, said Linda Jameison, assistant vice president for student support and engagement.

The first day of spring semester classes is January 8, 2018, and we will celebrate the opening by hosting a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will feature comments from Dr. Booth, College Commissioners, our Student Government Association President, and elected officials. An open house will follow.

The 75,000-square-foot Student Success Center is the first new building on the Pendleton Campus in two decades.

The $42-million project includes a learning commons, flexible meeting spaces, computer labs, group study areas, tutoring spaces, the College Café, Campus Store, Printing Services, IT, Service Desk, and Student Development.

The project also includes a complete renovation of Ruby Hicks Hall during 2018, and the installation of a central chiller plant and chilled water loop.

The Student Success Center is a key component of the College’s strategy to increase student success, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and address double-digit enrollment growth, said Dr. Booth.

“As we expect our students to develop 21st-Century workplace skills, like teamwork, collaboration, communication and social skills, we need to provide spaces where they can hone these skills outside the classroom,” said Dr. Booth. “It is essential for students today to learn

Passionate people TRANSFORMING LIVES

AND BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.

(continued on page 8)

Connection is published ten 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 Hamilton Career Center 100 Vocational Dr., Seneca, SC Main Number (864) 646-TCTC (8282) Toll-free 1-866-269-5677 TDD/Voice 1-800-735-2905 Website www.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

E

TCTC Meets Workforce Needs

arlier this fall, an international leader in medical device manufacturing announced it will build a Dr. Ronnie L. Booth manufacturing plant and create 1,000 well-paying jobs President in Anderson County, just a few miles down the road from the Pendleton Campus and almost directly across from our Industrial Technology Center.

This announcement is big news for Anderson County and the entire Upstate of South Carolina. Construction for the $30 million, 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant is set to begin in 2018 for an early 2019 occupancy.

Why did this well-established Southwest Florida company that made Fortune magazine’s “Best 100 Companies to Work For” list choose to expand in South Carolina rather than somewhere closer to home?

There are several reasons, but first and foremost is the availability of a trained and “Arthrex couldn’t have picked a better ready workforce. According to the Arthrex place to build a new plant, and they press release: “Arthrex plans to work with can count on Tri-County Technical Tri-County Technical College in Anderson College’s complete support during to develop a strong pipeline of qualified the transition and startup—and in all manufacturing personnel, utilizing their the years to come.” in-depth programs and long-standing —Dr. Ronnie L. Booth relationships with institutions like Clemson University that are dedicated to supporting the manufacturing industry.”

As I said during my remarks at the press conference, Arthrex couldn’t have picked a better place to build a new plant, and they can count on Tri-County Technical College’s complete support during the transition and startup—and in all the years to come. TriCounty is committed to meeting their ongoing workforce needs with skilled technicians in fields like mechatronics, industrial electronics, business, and IT—employees who have both the skills and the work ethic to make their company successful.

I applaud Arthrex’s commitment to providing more than just “jobs” to our community.

They pledge to offer career pathways for employees that lead to additional growth and opportunities, which reflects our College’s values and our commitment to our students.

Area manufacturers are finding our services increasingly important to remaining competitive in the marketplace. The first participants in the Michelin Manufacturing Scholars program will graduate in December. Michelin is enormously satisfied with the program, so we are expanding the program to prepare more individuals in this unique, one-semester program targeted to under-resourced adults. We are working with other area manufacturing companies to launch similar programs.

Technical colleges in South Carolina were founded for the sole purpose of meeting the education and workforce needs of local businesses and industries. We take that challenge and responsibility very seriously. Tri-County is well-known across the State for its innovative approaches to addressing these needs. Many of our programs, such as Technical Career Pathways for high school students, serve as a model for our sister institutions to emulate. (continued on page 7)

Tri-County Fall Concert Features Holiday Music The Tri-County Technical College Chorus and Band presented its fall concert Friday, December 1, in the Marshall Parker Auditorium. Under the direction of conductor and music instructor Julia West, right, the concert featured a performance of holiday favorites by the choir and band, led by accompanist/ pianist Cory Dodgens, left.

The Chorus presented a nice slice of holiday music that included the classics and some pop Broadway favorites from Anastasia, Les Miserables, and Dogfight.

Many thanks to Industrial Electronics Technology instructor Jason Poole, who, at the last minute, filled in as drummer for the Jazz Band (due to an unexpected illness).

Faculty/Staff Make Impact with Donations The Foundation closed its 2017 employee giving campaign this month with faculty and staff making a huge impact in the areas of professional development and scholarships, among others.

Many, including Santa Claus a/k/a/ Dan Cooper, director of economic development and government relations, chose to contribute to the Hazel Strickland Booth Memorial Scholarship Fund, which honors Dr. Booth’s mother. Hazel’s Helpers from the TCTC Foundation Office (Debbie Nelms, Laura Crenshaw, Beth Byars, and Tammy Fiske, pictured here) made the rounds collecting gifts and signatures on the holiday card.

Dr. Booth again agreed to match all gifts made to this scholarship.

November/December 2017 • 3

Oconee Campus Construction Underway Construction of the Oconee Campus is on track for a fall 2018 opening, said Dr. Brian Swords, senior director of community campuses. “I ride by at least once a week, and I am amazed at the progress. The weather has cooperated, so it’s moving right along.”

At the time of publication, concrete floors and roofing had been completed, along with exterior steel. The exterior wall and site utilities are in process.

The Oconee Campus is the first building to be constructed on the site. The Oconee Industry and Technology Park, located on Highway 11 in Westminster, will co-locate the Oconee Campus, a new Career Center servicing the Oconee County School District, adult education, and industry. The result will be a unique center for technical education, work-based learning and economic development. The project is a partnership between the College, the School District of Oconee County, and Oconee County. ”In a couple of years, the Career Center and the Adult Education office are planned for the site. We can’t find an example of these three entities in the same location anywhere,” Brian said.

“This is a new model which has opened the doors for discussions on partnerships, operational pieces, and pathways,” he said.

“By locating on the same site, it opens up an array of different opportunities for our students and the high school students who will be attending the new Oconee County School District Career and Technology Center,” said Brian. “Instead of high school students having to drive to different facilities to take advantage of dual credit and pathway opportunities, they now will simply walk across the courtyard and go from a high school facility to a college campus.”

Rather than purchase similar equipment at two locations, both can share some of the same equipment and labs. Cost savings will be realized through shared roadways, curbing, water/ sewer, parking, and other amenities. Co-location eliminates redundancies and duplication of effort, said Brian.

Program offerings at the campus will support manufacturing in the region and will include • Manufacturing Management and Leadership • Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations Management 4 • CONNECTION

• • • •

Industrial Electronics Technology Mechatronics University Studies Certificate Dual Credit / Pathways Program for Oconee County School District • Other courses will be offered to support the educational needs of the area

(continued on page 9)

Campus at a Glance • The Oconee Campus of Tri-County Technical College will be located at the Oconee Industry and Technology Park on Highway 11 in Westminster.

• Physical Address: Tri-County Technical College Oconee Campus, 552 Education Way, Westminster SC, 29693.

• The building will be approximately 37,000 square feet.

• The campus will open Fall Semester, 2018.

Oconee Campus Project Team • Dr. Brian Swords, Senior Director of Community Campuses (Project Leader) • Mandy Orzechowski, Dean of Engineering and Industrial Division • Jenni Creamer, Dean of College Transitions • Dr. Rick Cothran, Dean of Corporate and Community Education • Amanda Blanton, Director of High School Outreach and Partnerships • Matt Edwards, Information Technology Director • Gayle Arries, Director of Marketing • Dan Cooper, Director of Economic Development and Government Relations • Donald White, Student Success Coach (serves as our Success Coach for our current Oconee Campus at Hamilton Career Center)

Medical Assisting Grads Receive 100% Pass Rate on AAMA Certification Exam A perfect pass rate on the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination is a proud moment for the College’s most recent Medical Assisting graduates and for the College, said Medical Assisting Program Director Laura McClain.

All 14 graduates of the Class of 2017 received a passing score on the exam and are designated as Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs).

“I’m very proud,” said Laura. “This is a rigorous and challenging program, and students must be committed,” she said. “Their scores are a compliment to the College, the faculty, and to the students themselves.”

“Achieving a perfect pass rate is the ultimate goal every year,” said Laura, who added that two students—one in 2014 and another in 2016—earned individual perfect scores on the exam.

“This year’s 100 percent group pass rate is a testament to the caliber of the Tri-County Technical College graduates,” she added.

During the exam, students are tested on three components: general, administrative, and clinical. There are 200 questions on the exam, she said.

Students prepare all year for the exam, she said, by training to be good test takers. For the past two years, in the capstone lecture course, students take mock exams twice a week. “This introduces them to the types of questions and the format of the national exam,” she said.

Medical Assisting is a unique program because unlike most health care programs students are trained in both administrative

and clinical procedures, said Laura. Graduates are cross trained in every area of ambulatory care. Their duties range from handson patient care, under physician and nursing supervision, to front office duties.

Clinical training includes checking a patient’s vital signs, phlebotomy, giving medications, EKGs, laboratory work, specimen collection and processing, and assisting with minor surgical procedures. They also are certified in first aid and CPR while in the program. “It’s an unusual discipline with a strong administrative function, including insurance coding and claims processing,” she said.

“During the externships, we try to place our students in a family medicine practice so they will get experience ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics. This produces a well-rounded graduate.”

Graduates work in a variety of doctor’s offices, such as cardiology, neuroscience units, internal medicine, OB-GYN, and dermatology. “The possibilities are endless for our graduates,” Laura said.

The department boasts of a 100 percent job placement rate.

“The job market for Medical Assistants is thriving and at least 50 percent of our students are placed into jobs before graduating.

It’s not uncommon for the externship to develop into full-time employment,” she said.

Tri-County’s Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs through 2019.

Commissioner Rosemond-Saunders Honored by SC State University Congratulations once again to Commissioner Helen Rosemond-Saunders, who was selected as a 2017-18 Stellar Alumnus by South Carolina State University and was honored at homecoming activities October 28. Earlier this year, Mrs. Rosemond-Saunders was named Commissioner of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners and Trustee of the Year for the Southern Region by the Association of Community College Trustees at its national convention in September.

November/December 2017 • 5

Foundation News Foundation Board Welcomes Four New Members Four community leaders have been elected to serve on TriCounty Technical College’s Foundation Board of Directors.

Joining the Board’s current members are Emily DeRoberts and Randy Blackston, both representing Anderson County, Jim Kaplan, representing Pickens County, and Mike Worley, representing Oconee County.

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.

Mr. Kaplan is President/Owner of Cornell Dubilier in Liberty. He received a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University and an MBA from The College of William and Mary. He serves on several boards, including the Pickens County United Way, Electronic Industry Association, Alliance Pickens County, and the Engineering Board of Clemson University. He is a former Red Cross Jim Kaplan board member.

He and his wife, Julie, live in Pickens and have three children.

They attend Grace United Methodist Church.

Mrs. DeRoberts is a District Manager for Government and Community Relations in South Carolina for Duke Energy. She is responsible for issues management, public relations, corporate contributions, and community relations programs for a five-county region in S.C. She began her nearly three-decade career with Duke Energy in the field Emily DeRoberts as a Transmission Relay and Control Technician. Beginning in 2005, she served as a Large Business Industrial Account Executive. She assumed her current position in 2015. She is an Upstate native and graduate of Greenville Technical College’s Electrical Engineering Technology program, and Southern Wesleyan University where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Management Science.

She is a member of the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2016 and currently serves on the Upstate Alliance Executive Committee, Innovate Anderson Board of Directors, and the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She 6 • CONNECTION

previously served as a board member for Leadership Pickens County, Pickens County Vision 2025, Easley Chamber of Commerce and SWU’s Business Academic Advisory Board, where she was recognized in 2008 for professional excellence.

She and her husband, David, live in Powdersville and have four children and nine grandchildren. They are active members of the Mill Church in Pickens.

Mr. Blackston is Vice President of Operations at Glen Raven (Sunbrella®) in Anderson. He leads the corporate-wide sustainability initiative which achieved LandfillFree Status in all operations in North America, France, and China.

After receiving his degree in Industrial Technology from TriCounty Technical College in 1990, he enrolled at Clemson University Randy Blackston where he continued his education in Textile Manufacturing with an area of concentration in Industrial Engineering by day and by night earned a second degree in Quality Assurance at Tri-County.

He received Tri-County Technical College’s Distinguished Alumni Award for 2016 in recognition of his dedication to his alma mater.

He serves on the Board of Directors for Imagine Anderson, the American Heart Association, SC Vocational Rehabilitation Board, Ambassadors Board for AnMed Health, the Board of Visitors for Anderson University, and the Industrial Engineering Advisory Board at Clemson.

He and his wife, Angel, have two children and live in Anderson.

Mr. Worley is Operations Manager at Itron in West Union and graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

He has served on Tri-County’s Industrial Electronics Technology Advisory Committee, is an Elder at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church and works as an advisor with the Presbyterian Student Association. He also has done significant work with Mike Worley the Clemson Center for Career and Professional Development as an advisor and speaker. He and his wife, Amy, live in Six Mile and have three daughters, ages 13, 10, and 9.

Our College Family in transition Abbie Sharpe is the Administrative Specialist for the Arts and Sciences Division. She comes to us from NHC Healthcare where she worked as a Social Worker for the past two years.

Abbie also has worked in sales and marketing for Watersports Warehouse and in customer service for UPS. She is a member of New Spring Church, where she is an Editorial Team Writer.

Abbie earned an associate in Arts at Tri-County in 2003 and transferred to Abbie Sharpe Clemson University where she earned a B.S. in Management with an emphasis in Human Resources (2004). She and her husband, Drew, have four children, Hannah, Savannah, Haleigh, and Lauren. They live in Anderson.

Andrew Cline is a Psychology instructor in the Arts and Sciences Division. He served as Campus Director at Tricoci University from 2016–17. He spent four years as Associate Dean/Program Chair for Rockford Career College. From 2009– 12 he taught Psychology and Sociology courses at the University of Phoenix.

Andrew Cline Andrew has been nominated for two regional Grammys—for music production and for an album where he was a drummer.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Business from Columbia College and an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. He and his wife, Tonja, are members of Newspring Church. They have four children, Evan, Aubrey, Hannah, and Norah.

Stephanie Brown Chosen to Review Veterinarian Technician Textbook Stephanie Brown, a licensed veterinary technician who is program director/instructor in our Veterinary Technology program, is one of seven instructors in the United States and Canada chosen to review the newest edition of Clinical Textbook for Stephanie Brown Veterinary Technicians.

Joining her as a reviewer is retired Veterinary Technology instructor and current adjunct instructor Christee Williams.

Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians is the standard textbook for almost every Veterinary Technology program, said Stephanie, who also serves as head of our evening Veterinary Technology program.

She was asked to review this textbook following the feedback she submitted in her role as a reviewer for the upcoming 2018 Lavins Radiography for Veterinary Technicians, Sixth Edition, published by Elsevier.

Reviewers evaluate each chapter on education-based criteria, such as accuracy, readability, appropriateness of content, and content usefulness, as well as content errors. They also are asked to comment on both strengths and weaknesses. Reviewers write an overall summary and state whether they would recommend the textbook for a college class, either as a primary or supplemental textbook.

“I am proud to represent Tri-County in this capacity and to

have my name listed as reviewer in a textbook that is one of the best for Veterinary Technician education,” said Stephanie.

Stephanie, who has taught at the College for 15 years, is a 1992 alumna of the Veterinary Technology program and worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in private practice for 13 years. She was named Veterinary Technician of the Year in 1998 by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians. In 2010 she received the College’s Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award.

TCTC Meets Needs (continued from page 2)

We are committed to delivering the highly skilled workforce Arthrex and other companies in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties count on for success.

Congratulations are in order for all of you—our reputation for excellence speaks louder than our words.

Best wishes for a restful and enjoyable holiday season.

Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D. President November/December 2017 • 7

Family Drives from Myrtle Beach to Adopt Sinatra The Blose family drove four and one-half hours from Myrtle Beach the night before the November 16 Veterinary Technology Pet Adoption in hopes of welcoming Sinatra, an Australian Cattle dog into their family. Jason and Addison Blose, along with three-yearold daughter, Amelia, all pictured here, heard about Sinatra from a neighbor who was aware of the Pickens Shelter closing and had seen Tri-County’s Facebook posting about the available dogs and cats.

“We had been looking for a dog like him for a year,” said Jason, who added that the photo on Facebook sold him and his family. They booked a hotel room, drove to Anderson the night before, and arrived at the Vet Tech lobby at 7:45 a.m., determined to adopt Sinatra. “He is so worth it; he’s awesome,” said Jason.

Student Success Center Dedication (continued from page 1)

how to work in groups and teams to problem solve in today’s workforce. The Student Success Center is important to achieve our mission and fundamental to delivering a transformative student experience and an investment in our students’ success.”

“Every student will use this facility,” said Linda. “There are more learning spaces for quiet and collaborative study and increased technology resources to support it,” she said.

“The Learning Commons, formerly called the library, serves as a common gathering place where students can learn in an open and accessible environment that has a vast resource network to support their learning,” she said.

“When I talk to people about the overall project, I tell them there are three levels. The ground floor is Support, the Plaza Level is all about Engagement, and the Upper Level is the Learning Commons. Support–Engaged–Learning! The ground floor houses support resources, such as our IT Department and the IT Service Desk, the Print Shop, textbook ordering and pick up, and the student support suite for student health and wellness.”

Linda says the Plaza Level is for engagement and connecting with students, faculty, and staff. The engagement suite has dedicated space for student government and student organizations. The Plaza features the Café, which has 75 percent more seating capacity than the former Café and the Campus Store, said Lou Moritz, director of administrative services.

“In the Café we will offer à la carte items, such as freshly-made salads, sandwiches, pizza by the slice, and Starbucks coffee. We’ll continue to serve hamburgers, chicken fingers, and meat-and-two specials. We have a downstairs kitchen for cold prep and storage, along with refrigeration and dry storage,” he said.

“We’ll offer a breakfast bar with an enhanced menu featuring fruit, yogurt, an oatmeal and omelet station board, as well as the 8 • CONNECTION

traditional breakfast of eggs, grits, sausage, and biscuits. There will be daily specials on Monday -Thursday. So stay tuned,” Lou said.

“It will be a great place to hang out. Our goal is to provide a visually-pleasing setting while we offer high quality food at affordable prices,” he said.

“It’s our hope that students won’t want to leave campus to go and get something to eat or go home right after classes,” said Linda. “We want them to stay and have lunch and work on projects here instead of at home. We are telling students if they have an extra hour before work, don’t leave campus. Stay here and have lunch in the Café or work on an assignment with friends,” she said.

The Student Success Center houses meeting rooms and dedicated spaces for student learning. “Students will see others engaged and that promotes a real social connection with peers engaging in their environment and being present in their learning,” said Linda.

The top floor will house the Learning Commons with spaces for group and individual interaction and study. The environment promotes exploration, idea creation, and collaboration, said Linda. “Research librarians bring their expertise to assist students in navigating the digital and print resources and tools they need to be successful. The Tutoring Center, now located within the Learning Commons, is an integral resource to help students improve their academic skills and build confidence in their abilities to achieve their educational goals,” she said.

“We all are excited to be working in this fantastic new learning environment and look forward to having our students and colleagues share in making the Student Success Center a TCTC destination,” Linda added.

AZB Holds Induction Ceremony Tri-County students were inducted recently into Alpha Zeta Beta (AZB), a chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Initiates into the Alpha Zeta Beta chapter must have completed at least 12 hours of college work leading toward an associate degree and have attained a grade point ratio of 3.5 or better. Initiates also must be judged of good moral character and possess demonstrated qualities of good citizenship and service. above, right: Pictured from left are

Amy Borders, English instructor and advisor; Amy Laskoski, of Anderson, an Associate Degree Nursing major; Benjamin Cram, of Six Mile, Associate in Arts major; Robin Conn, of Anderson, Administrative Office Technology major; Robert Devita, of Anderson, Computer Information Technology major; Sherry Mullinax, of Seneca, Management major; Bailey Livingston, of Easley, Associate Degree Nursing major; Veronica Legrand, of Columbia, Associate Degree in Nursing major; Maxwell Jeffers, of Clemson, Criminal Justice major; John-Paul Aucoin, of Clemson, Associate in Science major; Bryan Krieger, of Central, Associate in Arts major; and Jim DeLoache, English instructor and advisor.

right: Alumnus Caleb Allen, a former Student Government Association president who earned a Mechatronics degree and a certificate in Human Resources Management, spoke to the inductees about respect, leadership, and service. Caleb, who worked as an intern in the President’s Office last year, transferred to Anderson University where he is studying Human Resource Management. He also works part time at the Anderson Chamber of Commerce.

Oconee Campus Construction Underway (continued from page 4)

Non-Credit Corporate and Community Education Course Offerings will include: • South Carolina Manufacturing Certification • CNC Machine Operator Training • Mechatronics Training • Additional Workforce Training Opportunities such as LEAN, OSHA, First Responder, and Microsoft Office Day and evening classes will be offered. “It will be a full service campus like Anderson and Easley that will provide services to scale. We will follow a generalist model of service adopted at our other community campuses,” said Brian.

Brian, who serves on the Oconee Campus Charter Team (see boxed copy on page 4), has been speaking to community groups about the new project. “The energy surrounding the project is phenomenal. The conversations are about how to work together, which has been our goal all along,” he said.

“After being located on the current Hamilton Career Center

Campus for many years, we already had a strong partnership with the Oconee County School District. This takes an already great partnership to the next level. Ideas generated through our discussions have been innovative and outside of the box. We are working with the Oconee County School District on the partnership programs, such as dual enrollment and pathways, and with area companies to offer industrial programs to meet employer needs. Future possibilities are endless,” he said.

“This campus will benefit Oconee County citizens and the region as a whole,” he said.

The 37,000-square-foot Oconee Campus is estimated to cost $7.25 million and is paid for by State-appropriate funds.

A portion of the funds came from the State Capital Reserves, some from State lottery funds, and some from surplus.

Oconee County provided land and site preparation valued at $2.75 million (TCTC campus portion only).

November/December 2017 • 9

TAPS Reaches Out In Community Members of Tri-County Association of Political Scientists (TAPS) along with advisor Mary Geren prepared a spaghetti dinner and served it to 84 persons at The Lot Project in Anderson.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30–6 p.m., The Lot Project opens its doors to give away a meal and bag of clothing to those in need.

“Everyone was so appreciative,” said Lauren Kappler, TAPS secretary, third from left.

Pictured with her are from left, Yvonne Martin, vice president; Lauren’s sister; and Kamille Tyson, president.

Executive Staff Summary • STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER TRANSITION PLAN: Approved the timing for moving offices from the current Student Center to the new Student Success Center, and from Ruby Hicks Hall to the current Student Center and Anderson Hall.

• HOURS OF OPERATION: To facilitate better planning and consistent operational hours among key offices that serve students (Welcome Center, Assessment Center, TC Central, Library, Community Campuses), abbreviated office hours have been standardized for various holidays and days when student traffic is typically slower. This information will be communicated as appropriate.

• TRANSFORMATIVE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE PROJECT CHARTER: The College has made great strides in initiating a number of activities to improve both the employee and student experiences. The activities for students have been guided by the Transformative Student Experience (TSE) that provides a shared vision and cohesive framework to drive decisions related to the student experience. A newly established project charter to define the Tranformative Employee Experience will create a shared vision of the desired employee culture of the College, develop philosophical guiding principles for employee initiatives, and guide decision-making at all levels related to the “way we do business.”

• INTEGRATED WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS (IWS): The newlychartered Integrated Workforce Solutions Committee will develop, refine, and evaluate program/service responses to meet specific, mission-appropriate needs of employer partners in the College’s service area.

• ACADEMIC PLAN 2017-20: The newly-completed Academic Plan (2017-20) includes a market analysis and leverages 10 • CONNECTION

the expertise of internal and external stakeholders to create an academic plan that prioritizes program development and determines which programs will be non-credit, credit, or will be subject to a maturation from CCE to credit. The academic plan will inform budget allocation, strategic enrollment management, the Master Facilities Plan, learner support and engagement, and student transitions strategies.

• STRATEGIC PLANNING: Reviewed Ten-Year Vision and Strategic Plan, including accomplishments and initiatives still outstanding. Our next step is to finish all activities that are relevant and needed. At that point, we can set the stage for establishing our next Ten-Year Vision for 2020-2030 and plan accordingly.

• WINTER COMMENCEMENT: A Winter Commencement for I-BEST and C2C students is scheduled for December 19, 11 a.m., in Marshall Parker Auditorium in Oconee Hall.

• OCONEE CAMPUS UPDATE: A project team is working on staffing, marketing, programming, and other activities for the Oconee Campus startup. Construction is on schedule, and the campus is slated to open in time for Fall Semester, 2018.

• FOUNDATION UPDATES: The Foundation is providing funds to support various College priorities, including funding a new book lift for the Student Success Center, renovations at the Industrial Technology Center, and a surgical suite in the Veterinary Technology Department. Currently the Foundation has approximately $26 million in investible assets.

• OTHER: USC Leadership Program, succession planning, A. Wade Martin Innovation Award nominees, and Banner IX implementation.