When talking about college and career readiness to her students at Robert Anderson Middle School, Danae Gaines Acker reflects on her educational and professional journey—to emphasize how varied experiences can lead to continuous learning.

For six years, the Technical Career Pathways (TCP) program has remained dedicated to its original goal—to develop a pipeline of individuals who are skilled and ready to fill in-demand jobs at manufacturing facilities across the Upstate.

Denise Bailey received Tri-County Technical College’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award at the College’s spring commencement May 7 at Littlejohn Coliseum. 

We recently caught up with Frank Ballew, former Student Government Association president, who talks about his memories of attending Tri-County in the 1980s.

Two years ago, 18-year-old D.W. Daniel High School honor student Aidan Bish had multiple admissions offers to study electrical engineering at prestigious colleges across the Southeast.

As a two-year breast cancer survivor, Lynn Bonner has learned how to appreciate every moment in life.

Kellie Smith Boone Honored with Tri-County’s Distinguished Alumni Award

Nineteen years ago Kellie Smith Boone walked across the stage at the Anderson Civic Center and received her associate in arts degree at Tri-County Technical College’s spring commencement.

Ashley worked at the University of Tennessee as head licensed veterinary technician (L.V.T.) in the large animal practice and later worked in private practice before she joined the teaching staff at the College in 2007 as director of the evening program.

Kaylyn Brown, right, the daughter and Stephanie Brown, program director and instructor for the Tri-County Veterinary Technology Program, left, are graduates of the Tri-County veterinary technology program. 

I have worked in several different hospital settings since graduation including; emergency and critical care, exotics, surgery, general practice, and now I am shifting my focus to education. I currently reside in Savannah Georgia with my dog Kenny who is a TCTC rescue dog!

Looking back, Richard Burton says when he graduated from Tri-County in 1993, he felt a true sense of accomplishment. “I was proud of myself. I had learned viable, valuable skills and I have been able to use them every day for the past 27 years.”

Tina Burton earned the highest award given to staff in 2020. Burton, a 1994 graduate of the administrative office technology program. 

As an alumna and longtime staff member at Anderson University (AU), Andria Carpenter is a diehard Trojan, both professionally and personally.

VA-certifying Warrior.  Sue Dacus joined the student records team in 1988 as an administrative specialist and over the years has worked various student support positions.

The very day that he received his GED, Dustin David headed to Tri-County Technical College to enroll in welding courses.

Denise Day is a graphic designer/marketing consultant in our marketing department.  

Every day Corporal Jesus De Luna Soto of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office strives to make a difference in the lives of the students attending Seneca Middle School

When Ryan Donald entered Tri-County Technical College straight out of Seneca High School in 1989, he knew it was his best educational choice but he had no idea the kind of lifelong career opportunities his two-year degree would afford him.

Department Head for Comprehensive Studies, Academic and Career Foundations Division & Program Director for the College, Career, and Life Skills 

In 2008, at age 44, Mark Franks says he never dreamed he would be a full-time student, mastering subjects he previously feared, like math and computers. 

"My degree changed my life. "Today, when displaced workers visit the office and question whether they can return, I tell them that college is the answer to their situation. I encourage those with the opportunity to take it,” she said.

As Senior Associate Development Specialist at Robert Bosch LLC, Nick Johnson lives for those “aha” experiences in the classroom—those magical light-bulb moments when an associate understands a concept, a skill, a strategy or a new idea.

Mary fulfilled a longtime dream when she completed the certified nurse aide with the Alzheimer’s and dementia certificate program through our Corporate and Community Education Division. 

Meet alumna Tammy Lollis. Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Support and Engagement. Office Systems Technology Degree, 2004. She is currently pursuing a Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) through the American Society of Administrative Professionals.

The smiles on the faces of Mauldin Police Officer Jeanna Martin and her fellow officers rival those of the kids they have been visiting with drive-by birthday parades that serve as substitutions for in-person celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place restrictions.

Twenty-one years ago Rhonda Morgan was reading the weekly shoppers guide and spotted an employment advertisement for a victim’s advocate, at the time a new state-mandated position in the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department.

If Amanda Nicks hadn’t met Social Sciences Department Head Stacey Frank—by pure happenstance two years ago—she probably would be beginning a new job as a structural engineer—but she wouldn’t have discovered her passion for psychology and translated it into a lifelong career devoted to people and public service.

In her graduation address to fellow Anderson 1 and 2 Adult Education GED graduates last year, 40-year-old Rachel Ossman read a quote by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale that today serves as her mantra:  “Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.” 

Paul Phelps entered the Marine Corps out of high school and four years later was working in the fabrication/metalworking industry when he received a career postcard from Tri-County about academic program offerings.

Eighteen years ago Dr. Valerie Ramsey, then an accountant/fiscal analyst at Clemson University, was asked to deliver the commencement address to Tri-County Technical College's summer graduates

“I am the Business Manager in the College of Education at Clemson University, but I am also enjoying a new role with Tri-County as a part-time instructor teaching business administration courses.  I am a proud Tri-County alumnus three times over.

Reading instructor in the Comprehensive Studies Division, Mia Tensley is being honored as a Tri-County Technical College’s Educator of the Year and will be recognized at the South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) meeting in February.

Deanne Williams never knew her parents.  Both died when she was an infant - their deaths just five months apart.  When she was two months old, her father was killed by a drunk driver while on his way to visit her mother, who was in the hospital in Georgia suffering from brain cancer and a stroke. 

Susan Womack proudly states that she is the longest-standing member of the Corporate and Community Education (CCE) team.