(continued on page 10)

ECD Wins CHE’s Excellence in Service Learning Award

A service learning project that pairs Early Childhood Development (ECD) students with at-risk kindergarteners to improve the children’s language development skills has won the S.C. Commission on Higher Education’s Commendation of Excellence in Service Learning.

ECD Program Coordinator Meredith McClure traveled to Columbia May 5 to accept the award.

The annual competition recognizes three of the most commendable service learning projects from the nominees across the State. One award is presented to a public four-year college or university project, one to a public two-year college, and one to an independent college or university.

The project, called Meeting Early Needs through Oral Reading (MENTOR), involves a partnership with La France Elementary School where each ECD 131 Language Arts student is paired with a kindergartener, or a buddy, who is at risk in his or her language development skills.

The MENTOR program was piloted in the fall of 2014 and was repeated in fall 2015. It will become an embedded High Impact Practice as part of the ECD program’s fulfillment to the College’s QEP for SACSCOS.

The ECD students are tasked with creating activities to engage these “at-risk” children using strategies that have been introduced and studied during the lecture portion of the ECD 131 class. After creating active-learning plans, the ECD students engage with their buddies through planned activities that strengthen their language arts, as well as their social skills.

“It’s more than just reading; it’s a safe place where adults care about them,” said Meredith.“Through these active-learning plans, our students learned about stages of development, and

the children benefited from interaction with an adult who cares and gives them personal attention to help them to succeed,” said Meredith.

After each of the 25-minute weekly visits, students were assigned reflection questions to contemplate and write about.

“The goal is to create intentional teachers who are responsive and reflective,” said Meredith.“Reflections point towards growth of the learners’ relationships. A bond forms. Kids open up and

share. My students light up when they see that connection with the child,” she said. Students also author and illustrate a book they share with their buddy on the last visit.

Laura Wells and her kindergarten buddy at La France Elementary School.

Passionate people TRANSFORMING LIVES AND BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.

In this Issue ...

Imagine TCTC Spotlights STEM Careers ............................ 7

Tri-County’s Top Students Honored at Ceremony...........4–6

SGA Sponsors Safe Summer Party ......................... 12

First Gradfest Held April 6 ......................................... 9

A Publication from the Office of the President April 2016

2 • CONNECTION

“Smart Start Over is all about meeting people where they are, and helping them get to where they want to be. Our challenge is to identify individuals who can benefit from this course and help them to enroll.”

~Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D.

New Course Offers a “Smart Start Over”

A t Tri-County, we have the opportunity to change lives every day and, as a result, build stronger communities.

We have made tremendous progress over the last year. Data confirm that those we serve, we serve well, as shown in increased student success, graduation, retention, and job placement rates, to name a few.

But the data also indicate there are thousands of people in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties who are unemployed or underemployed that could benefit greatly by attending Tri-County. Many of these individuals believe a college education is unattainable. Often they are not sure where to start, have limited resources, and don’t understand career options and opportunities.

This unmet need is the impetus for a new course we will offer for the first time during Summer Term. Branded “Smart Start Over,” STEM College and Career Readiness (COL 120) is designed specifically for under-resourced adults who have a high school credential and want to gain a solid career direction, but need help getting started.

The course will be offered at no cost to the student, thanks to State proviso funding approved by the SC General Assembly—the same funding that supports our Technical Career Pathways program—as well as support from the Duke Endowment. Participants will be introduced to technology-based career opportunities in the region; learn 21st century work skills; develop college-readiness skills; and earn an industry-recognized certification—OSHA General Industry Standards training—which is appropriate for any type of employment.

If we serve only a fraction of the thousands of individuals who need help in taking their first steps toward a college education, we will change their lives for the better and strengthen the communities we serve. Manufacturers are building and expanding plants in the Upstate, creating more and more good-paying jobs. Many other business sectors also are seeking skilled employees. Smart Start Over offers a pathway to reach those opportunities.

This course is all about meeting people where they are and helping them get to where they want to be. Our challenge is to identify individuals who can benefit from this course and help them to enroll. Once these individuals see and understand the possibilities that lie ahead, we will have helped them make their first step to a better life.

Connectionis 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.

Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D., President

Connecting

Dr. Ronnie L. BoothPresident

April 2016 • 3

April Is Community College Awareness MonthCommunity colleges like Tri-County Technical College serve 11.5 million students nationally,

making the two-year degree the first choice for almost half of the undergraduate students in the U.S.

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

“Our job is about helping students get from where they are now to where they want to be,” said Dr. Booth.

The College has a 19:1 student-faculty ratio and the highest success rate among the 16 technical colleges in the State. In addition, it is ranked in the top five percent nationally for successful transfers to four-year colleges and universities.

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

Among the nearly 9,000 students who enrolled at Tri-County during the 2015-16 academic year are (front row, from left) Anna Porter, Endia Jones, and Matt Varney and back row, Emily Leigh Campbell, Caleb Allen, SGA President, and Nick Hamor.

Kellie SmithSenior Human Resources Analyst,

Koyo Bearings, Walhalla Associate in Arts

Michael ManceDirector of Communications and Marketing, Anderson Chamber of Commerce, Media Arts Production

Tracy BowieDirector of Foothills Alliance

Business Technology–Accounting

John LeonardoProduction Technician at Robert

Bosch Corporation and adjunct IET instructor at Tri-County

Industrial Electronics Technology

Spotlight on Your Community CollegeSPO

TLIGHT

4 • CONNECTION

Tri-County’s Top Students Honored at Awards CeremonyDr. Booth encouraged the College’s 2016 outstanding

students to take their passion for learning and apply it to every aspect of their lives. Dr. Booth addressed the group and their guests before the annual Outstanding Student Awards were presented at an April 14 ceremony.

“Take your passion for what you have done well academically and find other ways to apply it over the rest of your lives,” he told the group being honored as the College’s top students. “Apply those skills sets to the broader pieces of your life,” he added.

2013 Connect to College Grad Named Outstanding IET StudentMegan Moss didn’t know how—or if—she was going to make

things work as a pregnant, 18-year-old who needed to finish her high school diploma until she found Tri-County Technical College’s Connect to College (C2C) program.

“When I discovered I was pregnant (two years ago), every plan I had changed,” said Megan, who, as a West-Oak High School student, had played basketball and competed in weekend AAU basketball tournaments. Her team finished sixth in the national championship held in Florida.

She had plans of attending college on a scholarship until, she says, “Life happened.” As a senior, she dropped out of school, leaving her with no diploma and no work experience. She couldn’t find a job. But she found the C2C program.

“I had to get my act together,” she said of her decision to enroll in C2C, which meets the diverse needs of area students by offering academically capable youth between the ages of 17 and 20 the opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and college credit, up to and including a postsecondary credential. The first of its kind in South Carolina, C2C is a program for students who, for a variety of reasons, have faced difficult challenges in traditional high school environments. All public high schools in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties can sponsor students in Connect to College.

“I was sold immediately. I wasn’t considered a dropout at West-Oak because the school sponsored me. I earned my high school diploma in 2013 after taking just two semesters of classes,” said Megan. Her son, Eli, was two months old when she graduated.

Megan says she had no idea what she wanted to do beyond earning her high school diploma so she took a year off and began to make some life changes with Eli at the center of every decision.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do—basketball was all I knew,” said Megan. She discovered Tri-County’s Industrial

Electronics Technology program in 2014. “I fell in love with PLCs and motor controls. I chose Tri-County because I had a great experience in C2C, and it is close to home. I like the small classes and that instructors know me by name. Most important, I can still spend time with Eli. It was a good choice.”

Family members take care of Eli while she is in class and working as an intern at Schneider Electric.

Her hard work resulted in being named the outstanding IET student at the College’s recent awards ceremony.

“I never thought by age 21 I would have a college degree,” said Megan, who will graduate in August. “I’m doing it all for Eli. He is my everything,” she said.

“I’m proud of myself. I will graduate in August, was named outstanding student, and I have an internship at a great company. Most of all, I’m a good mother. It couldn’t get any better.”

Megan Katherine Moss, of Seneca, right, was honored as the Outstanding Industrial Electronics Technology Student at the College’s annual awards ceremony recently. Presenting the award is Robert Ellenberg, program coordinator. Megan is a Connect to College graduate and the niece of Robert.

“I chose Tri-County because I had a great experience in C2C, and it is close to home.”

~Megan Moss.

April 2016 • 5

9-11 Survivor Named Outstanding Criminal Justice Technology StudentAngela Griffin lost a bet on September 11, 2001, that ended up

saving her life.The former legal assistant for Binder and Binder was known by

colleagues on the 110th floor of the World Trade Center as ‘the lady with the hats.’ Seldom was she seen not donning one of her 60-plus hats. Teasing her about her “hat addiction,” co-workers challenged her to go one day without wearing a hat. She accepted the bet, but her willpower lasted just one day. On Tuesday, September 11, she reported for work early wearing a hat and was discovered by a colleague who came in early and saw her.

Losing the bet meant she had to go downstairs to the outside vendor and buy coffee for everyone. “I took my money out of my wallet and headed down. I remember everyone saying don’t stop and talk to anyone. I did just the opposite. I began talking with the vendor and told him the story of losing the bet. It was a beautiful day for September,” recalls Angela, who now lives in Easley and recently was named the Outstanding Student for the Criminal Justice program.

Both were observing the beautiful clear sky, when the vendor remarked that a plane looked like it was flying low. Moments later, at 8:45 a.m., a hijacked passenger jet, American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, Massachusetts, crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center, killing 2606 in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

“I saw people running in slow motion. We didn’t know what happened or what to do or where to go. I didn’t have my phone so I couldn’t call upstairs. I tried to run, but it was dark. There were explosions. I couldn’t hear. My head was bleeding, and I couldn’t feel my left side,” said Angela.

Burning debris was flying—she had been struck by a cinder block. The next thing she remembered was awakening in a hospital, frightened, with no recollection of the events or even who she was.

She didn’t remember the explosion and didn’t know her own name. She had no identification on her and her husband, David, an NYPD officer, was at work, and her son was in college. The family was located, and they were reunited. But they were strangers to Griffin. The next day, she had surgery on her head to repair frontal lobe damage and on her shoulder.

She continued to not recognize anyone, including her husband, her son, and her mother, because of the head injury. After the accident doctors told her she would never learn anything new.

Angela proved them wrong. “I had to re-learn everything, including my own name and how to write it,” she said. She learned to count, she mastered the alphabet, and basic math. She had to learn loved ones’ names, to write sentences. She listened intently to her own life story that her mother and family recounted

in great detail. “I looked at photos and didn’t recognize people. I read with the dictionary. I had to learn how to type, to read, to use a telephone. I knew where my hats and shoes went, but I didn’t know which foot. I had to learn how to tell time. There was so much

to learn,” she said.She spent six years recovering in a

facility and two years at home working with a physical therapist—accomplishing the impossible.

On a visit to South Carolina, she and her husband attended services at Ebenezer Baptist Church that her husband’s great grandfather built. They decided to relocate

from the Bronx to Easley. She thought about college and wondered if she could be successful. She took the placement test at the Easley Campus and entered the Criminal Justice program. “I enjoyed the challenge,” said Angela, who never went to college because she went to work at age 18 straight out of high school. “I was making a good salary and never thought about college,” she said. As a first-time college student, early on she realized she needed to talk about her medical situation with Program Coordinator Dr. Chris McFarlin.

“I went to Dr. McFarlin and said I was in an accident on 9-11 and it takes me longer to get things but I’ll get it. I won’t give up.” McFarlin says he told her that “having the willingness and fortitude to not give up will not only serve her well in the program but also in whatever career path she chooses in the criminal justice system.”

When she told her former therapist from New York about her academic success, he called her a miracle. “They had told my husband to call Social Security Disability

(continued on page 6)

“I went to Dr. McFarlin and said I was in an accident on 9-11 and it takes me longer to get things but I’ll get it. I won’t give up.”

~Angela Griffin

Angela Turner Griffin, of Easley, middle, was honored as the College’s Outstanding Criminal Justice Technology Student at the College’s annual awards ceremony recently. Pictured with her are Dr. Chris McFarlin, Criminal Justice Technology program coordinator, left, and Tom Lawrence, department head.

6 • CONNECTION

Outstanding GET Student: Matt VarneyMatt Varney had been out of high school for 10 years when

he decided to take another crack at college. At age 28, he was married and the father of a three-year-old son. He was also more mature and goal oriented than the 18-year-old who attended the University of Kentucky for a semester before leaving with no credential and a decade of debt.

“I wanted to be here this time,” Matt says of enrolling in the General Engineering Technology program. “It made all the difference. I see my degree as a tool, not a piece of paper.”

Back in 2004, when he graduated from high school, no one in Matt’s close-knit family had ever thought about attending college. They were all coal miners. “But my dad saw potential in me and wanted me to earn a degree. Back then it was about what I felt I should do. My dad wanted me to go to college so it was about the degree, the accomplishment, not about preparing for a career,” he said.

So when Matt landed at the University of Kentucky as one of 11,000 freshmen, he got lost. He didn’t feel a connection to the professors, his classmates, or the college.

Growing up in rural Kentucky, he was not prepared for large classes and the culture shock of his new environment so he sat out for a semester and then enrolled in Alice Lloyd College, switching his major to Elementary Education. After two semesters, he got married and dropped out to work full time to support himself and his wife, a student in Religion and Political Science at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Matt began to take on a variety of minimum-wage, entry-level jobs. He was a customer service representative, a car salesman and he loaded trucks for a logistics supply chain company. “All starting-point jobs. They didn’t fulfill me. Putting stickers on boxes every day did not challenge me,” he said.

But it did motivate him. “It showed me that it was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Another motivator to make a career move was his son and the example he wanted to set for him. Matt sought a new challenge.

The family got one when his wife, after earning a master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, received a job offer to be Director of Christian Education at Pickens Presbyterian Church. The family moved to South Carolina. He began working at Cornell Dubilier as a Fork Lift Truck Driver. Six months later he was offered a job as Process Technician, which he has done for the past five years.

“There was no room for advancement unless I went back to school,” he said. “I needed a college degree.” With 55 credits from Alice Lloyd and Kentucky, he enrolled at Tri-County in the spring of 2015. He moved to second shift to accommodate classes that began to challenge him and renew his interest in college.

“The GET program allows me to do machine design and be part of a project from the ground up. I enjoy PLC programming, robots, and process control engineering. I like finding solutions to problems,” he said. Not a fan of sitting in a lecture class with 100 seats, he prefers the hands-on approach in GET classes. “I like to learn by doing. The GET projects are a new challenge at the end of every day,” he said.

“The degree is the avenue to a career, and I realized it’s important and that’s why I have to stick with it this time,” said Matt, who was named GET Outstanding Student for the GET program at the College’s Student Awards Ceremony held April 14.

“Matt is a model student,” said Dorian McIntire, coordinator for the General Engineering Technology program. “He was selected as the GET student of the year for a variety of reasons. He is a tireless self-learner who often helps students in the classroom who need a little more attention. He loves to tackle big projects and quickly solves technical problems on his own. He does all of this while working and supporting a family. If all of my students were like Matt, the potential for learning in the classroom would reach new heights.”

and gave him the names of home health agencies. My husband had faith in me and knew he didn’t need that. He said, ‘I know what’s in you.’”

He was right. Angela began to make straight A’s and was named to the President’s List.

A native New Yorker from the Bronx, Griffin never dreamed she would move South and enter college for the first time. She loved the people and the pace of New York but calls South Carolina home now. “I’m here, and I’m okay, and I take nothing for granted. I’m not in a hurry now. If I miss a bus, there is another one coming. I don’t worry about little things. When there is a long line at a store, I’m the last to complain. I’m happy to enjoy the moment,” she said.

After graduating May 10, she will pursue a job in a probation and parole office. “I want to advocate for youth offenders,” she said.

Says Dr. McFarlin, “Mrs. Griffin exceeded our expectations and requirements of the outstanding student award recipient. She is truly a remarkable person whose zest for life and learning showed every day in class.”

Angela Griffin (continued from page 5)

Matt Varney, outstanding GET student, is seen working with robotics in the lab.

April 2016 • 7

Imagine TCTC Spotlights STEM CareersHigh school students experienced the exciting STEM-related

opportunities Tri-County has to offer at Imagine TCTC, a Campus Visit Experience, held April 7.

Around 200 sophomores, juniors, and seniors from area high schools attended the event on the Pendleton Campus.

“It was a chance for us to showcase Tri-County and how we support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related experiences in both our technical and transfer programs,” said Christina Houck, admissions recruiter. Participants engaged with all four of Tri-County’s academic divisions by taking part in hands-on STEM-related activities. In addition, Tri-County’s financial aid staff provided financial literacy information, and members of the student support and engagement staff gave an interactive overview of student services.

“The goal of this event was to highlight education and innovation in the STEM fields,” said Tiffany Blackwell, director of admissions, recruiting and orientation. “We wanted students to visit our campus, get to know us, and open their eyes to the possibilities of a career in STEM-related fields.”

Imagine TCTC was held in conjunction with Imagine Upstate,

an annual celebration and showcase around STEAM, innovation, creative and entrepreneurial activity in the Upstate. Tri-County is a sponsor of Imagine Upstate.

Mandy Orzechowski, engineering technology department head, talks to students about the Engineering and Industrial Education Division as General Engineering Technology student Kenneth Merriett demonstrates the Hexapod, a student-built, six-legged walking machine powered by pneumatics and controlled by a PLC.

High school students receive gift bags as they arrive at the Pendleton Campus.Jenny Trombley, retired high school science teacher, left, helps Mary Orem, director of our library, second from left, demonstrate how to apply science principles using a homopolar motor.

Culture, Teaching Strategies Shared with Colombian VisitorsOscar Alberto Quintero Sánchez and Julieth Figueroa Echeverry, second and third from left, both visiting English teachers from Colombia, South America, spent a day on the Pendleton Campus to observe teaching techniques in English and Developmental English classes. The purpose of their visit was to improve their English language skills, observe various teaching strategies, and learn about our culture. They also had the opportunity to observe a history class and attend a cultural enrichment series event. Pictured with them are Laura Crenshaw, devel-opment associate in the Foundation Office, and Matt Simon, English instructor.

This initiative is supported by Partners of the Americas in support of Colombia’s national mandate to become a bilingual country. The visit was coordinated by Clemson University.

8 • CONNECTION

excellence through serviceMedia Arts Production Program Coordinator John Woodson

will serve as president of the South Carolina Technical Education Association this year. He also has served as the College’s representative.

Grants Director Laneika Musalini and Shekina Ward, of Clemson University, were co-presenters at the spring meeting of the National Council of University Research Administrators Region III April 30—May 4 at Miramar Beach, FL. In their workshop, titled WS4—Post-Award for Departmental Administrators, they gave an overview of the post-award process from award to closeout.

English instructor Mary Geren is a candidate for SC House, District 9.

in transitionTracey Williams joined us April 4

as our new One Stop Director. The One Stop Center, which is scheduled to open this June in Miller Hall, is an integrated service center that will provide student support to new and continuing students in the areas of admissions, financial aid, registration, and student records. The

One Stop Center is designed to deliver holistic student services and provide a Transformative Student Experience.

Tracey comes to us from Greenville Technical College where she was the Director of Recruiting. Her varied higher educational experiences include positions as an Admissions Officer and a Student Services Manager for Strayer University and an adjunct instructor for Virginia College. She started her career in journalism as a newspaper reporter in Mississippi. Tracey earned an MBA from Belhaven University and a B.A. in Mass Communications (Print Journalism) from Savannah State University. Tracey graduated from the International School of Protocol in Maryland and is a Certified Etiquette Instructor.

She and her husband, Larry and their three-year-old twins, Princeton and Parker, reside in Easley.

16th Consecutive Year

Business Office Recognized for Excellence in Reporting

For the 16th consecutive year, the Business Affairs Division earned the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded our College a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.

Pictured from left are (seated) Cara Hamilton and Ann Hall, and (back row, from left) Sara Simpson, Matt Whitten, Debbie Norris, Tracy Wactor, Roberta Sitton, Deborah Wardlaw, Kristal Doherty, Lynn Shook, Linda Brown, and Ana Interiano.

Our College Family

John Woodson

Tracey Williams

Mary GerenLaneika Musalini

April 2016 • 9

Commission Elects OfficersThe College’s Commission, its governing board, elected

officers for 2016- 17 at its April meeting. Leon (Butch) Harris, III, of Anderson, was re-elected chairman. John Powell, of Walhalla, was re-elected vice-chairman. Dr. Valerie Ramsey was elected secretary-treasurer. They took office April 11.

First Gradfest Held April 6Gradfest 2016, a celebration for fall, spring and summer

graduates, was held April 6. Soon to be graduates were able to pick up regalia for the upcoming commencement on May 10. Representatives from offices across campus were available to answer questions and talk with students.

Jared Venesky, of Easley, an Industrial Electronics Technology major, talks with Cheryl Garrison, job placement coordinator.

Tammy Fiske, left, director of annual giving with the Foundation, talks with Lortensia Baker, of Anderson, about her plans after graduation and getting involved with the Alumni Association.

Daniel Ham, of Westminster, a General Engineering Technology major, fills out a graduate survey for the Office of Research and Evaluation.

Rosenwald School Featured in Upcoming Documentary

The College’s replica of a Rosenwald School House, located on the Anderson Campus, was the scene of recent filming for a documentary based on the life of Jane Edna Hunter, an African-American social worker born near Pendleton, who, in 1911, established the Working Girls Association in Cleveland, Ohio (later known as the Phillis Wheatley Association of Cleveland). Local youth donned costumes to play the role of school children in the early 1900s.

The College’s Rosenwald School House is the first full-scale reproduction of a one-teacher Rosenwald School. Rosenwald Schools were the primary facilities for the education of African-American children in the South from around 1912 through desegregation. Tri-County students enrolled in Building Construction built the full-scale, one-room, 900-square-foot reproduction in 2014.

John PowellLeon (Butch) Harris, III Dr. Valerie Ramsey

10 • CONNECTION

ECD Wins Award(continued from page 1)

“As an instructor, my payoff is to observe students, first hand, working with school-age children and over a semester to watch both of them grow academically and personally. By the end of the semester my students are analyzing developmental levels and creating activities for individual children based on what they learned during the semester. When I look at their first and then their last visit with the children, I see tremendous growth,” she said.

“Students tell me when their buddy is absent, and they are paired with a different child, this gives them the opportunity to see the difference in students and their learning styles. The biggest learning moment is when they compare the rates of development and growth,” she said.

“The MENTOR program is an opportunity for students to practice what they want to do and to make a difference in a child’s life. In their reflection statement, they have to write to me about whether or not this class has been beneficial. So far, every student felt it had been and they recognized that they got excited about their own education. Many say, ‘I felt like a real teacher there.’ And that’s really exciting,” Meredith said.

“Any time that students get a hands on, experiential learning opportunity to apply new knowledge while connecting with prior knowledge, the learning is always richer! This MENTOR service learning project has proven to be that type of experience for our Early Childhood Development students. My students were asked to reflect on the activity that was selected, the rationale for that selection, if the expectations were met, and what was learned about the kindergarten buddy after each MENTOR visit. These reflections allowed us to see the growth that took place over the semester. I am not sure who actually reaped the most benefit, the kindergarten buddy or the ECD student, but I believe that everyone left this experience better than when they began,” said Meredith.

Honors Program Students Design Nature Trail

The Early Childhood Development program’s mission statement: Through outstanding instruction, practical hands-on experience, and personal relationships, the Early Childhood Development program supports, prepares, and empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds enabling them to make a positive impact in the Early Childhood community.

Wingate Leader Talks with Pre-Pharmacy Students

Barbara Burke, regional director of external affairs for Wingate University’s Hendersonville Campus, standing, was on campus to give Pre-Pharmacy students an overview of Wingate’s program.

Participants in a community field day hosted by Anderson School District Four April 23 had the opportunity to walk the new Tri-County Nature Trail created by students enrolled in the Honors Colloquium class (IDS 250). Pendleton Pride in Motion partnered with the class to connect the trail to the town’s new Daffodil Trail. Pictured left to right are Powell Hickman, organizer of Pendleton Pride in Motion; Dr. Sue Ellenberger, department head for the Science Department; Nathan Silver and Lucas Anderson, both University Transfer majors, and enrolled in IDS-250; and Dr. Sharon Homer-Drummond, adjunct Science instructor. Both Nathan and Lucas plan to transfer to Clemson University in Fall 2016.

April 2016 • 11

Chorus’ Spring Concert Showcases Student Talent

The Tri-County Technical College Jazz Band performed at the annual spring concert April 22 in the Marshall Parker Auditorium.

Bridge Student Gives BloodBridge student Brooks McNeal was among the faculty, staff, and students who participated in the College’s Future Laboratory Professionals/AnMed Health blood drive.

The Tri-County Chorus’s spring concert showcased student talent through duets, solos, and ensemble pieces by members of the choir and the jazz band. Here, Xavier Minor sings “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Under the direction of conductor and music instructor Julia West, the concert featured jazz and American folk selections, along with performances from Broadway musicals “Wicked,” “Rent” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

CIT Class Develops AppsStudents in George Fiori’s CIT 208 Special Topics class

were assigned to develop Android apps as their capstone project. Here, Ken Schultz uses phone emulator software to demonstrate a hiking app he developed that shows geographic maps and images of seven premier hiking trails in each state in the U.S.

Other projects developed by the class include a meal planner/recipe app; a medication reminder that shows type, dosage, and time medication is to be taken; and a product comparison app for smart phones from five major manufacturers.

Executive Staff Summary• SERVICE EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE: The Service

Excellence Team (SET) was re-approved by Executive Staff as an official College committee. This committee grew out of a FY15 Strategic Plan initiative to “implement a service improvement program and track key service excellence metrics.” Our iCare Service Excellence Standards are a work product of this team. The Service Excellence committee will champion and build on the successes of our College-wide effort to create a sustainable culture of service excellence.

• ADJUNCT FACULTY EXPO: A team created from the Adjunct Study Project (2014-15) has recommended an adjunct faculty professional development day to include such topics as Disability Services, Active Learning Strategies, Student Code of Conduct, Title IX, FERPA, Banner, Campus Safety, and Financial Aid. The first

professional development day for adjunct faculty will be Saturday, August 20.

• FAFSA: A shift to Prior-Prior Year (PPY) eligibility determination for Pell Grants for the 2017-18 Academic Year will benefit students and the College. Students will be able to complete FAFSA sooner and have easier access to correct tax information.

• IT APPLICATIONS REVIEW: IT software costs have been escalating across the College. Each area will review and determine if software is being used and how useful it is.

• OTHER: Succession planning; holidays; lean processes; key dates for College events; infrastructure projects; county budget presentations; SACS reaffirmation planning; policy and procedure updates.

12 • CONNECTION

SGA Sponsors Safe Summer Party

Our Student Government Association sponsored its annual Safe Summer Party, an Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness event with a cookout, t-shirt giveaways, music, games, and prizes.

top right: Campus Safety Director Jonathan Finch talks to students about the Campus Safety office and how it can assist students.

bottom far right: Sgt. Porter with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department was on hand to talk about the dangers of alcohol and other drug use. He brought with him impairment goggles, a prevention tool that simulates alcohol impairment and registers blood alcohol content.

left: Students walk along the mall while wearing these vision-distorting goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol consumption on the body.