Change Starts Here

The Trident Technical College Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Fall Future Alumni Essay Contest , which was open to  all current students.  Students were asked to share what TTC has done to assist them with their goals; their plans immediately after TTC and what they will do to help the college and future students after leaving.  More than 150 submissions were received and judged by a panel of volunteers.  L-R: Steven Henneberry, Sonia Cline, Megan Olivia Hernandez, Terry A. Beyer and Kalyn Judkins Megan Olivia Hernandez, who won first place in the contest, received a check for $1,000 from the TTC Foundation.  Megan, who is enrolled in the cosmetology program at TTC, wrote about the challenges of being a military wife:  "I will not complain of the hardships because I truly see this life as a privilege. Nonetheless, it is all too common for a military wife to lose herself."  Megan plans to help other military...

By Megan Olivia Hernandez The first time I walked onto campus at Trident Tech, I was trembling and had to give myself a pep talk before I even got out of my car. I had been in South Carolina for less than two months; I knew no one and absolutely nothing about starting cosmetology school. I walked into the registrar’s office, despite my trepidation, and I am so very glad that I did. I was greeted with attention and kindness from the second I walked in the door. The dean, herself, gave me a tour of the campus and introduced me to my future teachers. The dean, the assistant dean, and the registration staff kindly helped me through the registration process. They made me feel like attending college at TTC was an achievable feat, and I could see that I would have the support I needed.  As a military wife, I take my duty to serve my country, through the support of my husband, a sailor in the United States Navy, very seriously.  It is an honor to play a small part in the service...

The Creation of My Future By Kalyn Judkins “ Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”   -Malcolm Little When a student in high school dreams about going to college, they think about going to big universities and having a dorm room and roommate. But that’s not always the plan, especially when major universities cost thousands upon thousands of dollars a year. Luckily, we have Trident Technical College here in North Charleston, South Carolina. Although I am only just starting here, Trident Technical College has helped me in so many ways. Trident helps many students, including myself, by making college affordable. I can actually get the education I need for later in life at a cost my family can actually afford. Trident has also helped me by having experienced, passionate professors to teach us. Even though I have only had two classes so far, both of my professors were fantastic. I was extremely nervous about starting...

What Has Trident Tech Done For Me Lately? By Sonia Cline My daughter and I moved to Charleston in 2011, to become college roommates. She transferred to College of Charleston, and I began my studies at Trident Tech. It was slow going at first, working two jobs, over sixty hours each week, plus a full-time course load. Finally, in December, I felt confident resigning from my day job, and rounded out the fall and spring semesters with my required lab sciences. This fall, I finally enrolled in my first nursing courses, and I am so excited to continue this journey! As a single mom, I feel like I have wasted twenty years, being too stubborn to accept welfare or child support. I look at my predominately twenty-something nursing classmates, and I envy them. I never miss an opportunity to tell them how blessed they are to have this opportunity, and how important it is to follow through NOW. When we are young, we ignore the adults who try to tell us not to squander our years. I hope they ...

A Lasting Experience at Trident Steven Henneberry With my Future Alumni Essay, I hope to show that because of my experience and time here at Trident, I will be ready to take on what lies ahead of me. Because of Trident, I will be able to have a successful future and be able to give back to the college what it has given me.  When talking about how Trident has helped me in my academic goals, I feel as if the best place to start is a few months before I had enrolled into the college. I was halfway through my reserves contract with the United States Marine Corps here in Charleston and had decided that I wanted to further my education by going to college. At the time, my current goal was to work towards obtaining a master’s degree in mathematics. While all the universities I had looked into had great math programs, they were located at other cities within the state and I was not able to travel that far for an education since I was stationed at the Naval Weapons Station in Charles...

By Terry A. Beyer My first semester at Trident Technical College (TTC) has been a transformative and transitional period. TTC is not my first college experience. It is, however, the first time I have been able to put my entire focus into my education as a full time student. Entering TTC after 9 years in the Marines, I expected greater difficulty fitting in and interacting with my peers and teachers. I quickly found myself enjoying the change of pace and environment that TTC has provided. The wide range of students and teachers I am able to learn from is varied and makes for a flexible and non-strenuous experience. What’s more, the school is very proactive with attending to their resident veterans benefits, staying on top of the required forms and due dates. The smooth and stress-free transition into student life allows more time to focus on the important things. I entered TTC in Fall 1 intending to go through the Veterinarian Technician program. TTC has a great class all vet tec...

Kim Lifrieri was one the first student coaches to work in the Trident Technical College Nursing Resource Center in 2007. She was an adult student returning to college after 11 years with the US Postal Service. “I came back to school with the goal of obtaining a brand new career in nursing,” says Lifrieri, “but the program was not easy, especially while fulfilling my role as a wife and mother to a young child.” That’s where the Nursing Resource Center (NRC) came in. It serves as a quiet place to study, provides access to books and other study materials and is staffed by student tutors. Kim Lifrieri and Deborah Turner “I loved having access to the NRC,” says Lifrieri, “and later was very happy to help my fellow students through the tutoring progam.” The NRC was started in 2006 with a grant from The Duke Endowment and Deborah Turner, director of the NRC, has been requesting TTC Minigrants every year since. "Our students depend on the center every day," says Turner, ...

As a young medical laboratory student at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Michelle Mantooth learned everything she needed to know about clinical laboratory testing. But under the wing of Mary Eileen Leonard, she learned that working in the medical laboratory technology field wasn’t just a job; it had to be your passion. " She had an infectious way of distilling a passion for learning and serving, " says Michelle, who is n ow an instructor in the Medical LaboratoryTechnology program at Trident Technical College . She shares with her students what she learned from her mentor: " t he patient is the most important part of your life from now on. Continue your education and make a name for yourself and the profession and never forget what it is to get your hands dirty.” So every year, through the TTC Foundation Campus Campaign , Michelle makes a gift to the Mary Eileen Leonard Clinical Laboratory Sciences Scholarship , which was established by frien...

2015 Future Alumni Essay Contest Runner-Up Kimberly Beach I began my journey to becoming a nurse in the spring of 2013 at Trident Technical College. It was rumored that the nurses that graduate from Trident were more clinically prepared than other schools in the Charleston area. Soon after my relocation from California, I was astonished to receive an email that I was granted early acceptance due to merit and high scores on my entrance exams. Trident has helped me in attaining my goals by ensuring my confidence in patient interactions through providing a top of the line simulation laboratory, through experienced and knowledgeable faculty, and by acquiring the best clinical sites to provide a wide knowledge base. While walking this pathway, my confidence not only in education, but also in daily living has dramatically increased. Trident has challenged me but I have met this demanding curriculum in stride and was invited into the nursing honor society. This is exponentially vital t...

On Lowcountry Giving Day, held Tuesday, May 5, members of the Trident Technical College community joined together for an extraordinary day of giving back, donating more than $241,000 for the college. Lowcountry Giving Day is a community-wide, 24-hour effort to raise money for participating organizations in the Lowcountry. In its second year, the effort was facilitated by Coastal Community Foundation and raised more than $6 Million, which includes $2.8 million in advance incentive gifts made possible by dozens of local generous donors.  Incentive donors were able to specify which organizations or types of organizations to which they preferred their giving to be designated. Mrs. Anita Zucker and the Pathfinder Foundation generously provided the incentive giving for TTC Foundation , creating significant momentum and spirit of giving among supporters. TTC Foundation was the 10th highest organization in the country for dollars raised and t he Lowcountry community raised the s...

2015 Future Alumni Essay Contest Runner-Up Donald Anderson Walls Trident Technical College is the most versatile and necessary form of higher education currently serving Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston counties. As higher education becomes necessary for meaningful employment, the college has become the driver in a regional knowledge economy. Its academic divisions offer a range of programs for both future employment and further academic study at a four year college or university. It also holds inherent value as an institution where almost anyone can simply further their learning. In short, Trident Technical College is the pillar of my community and an important portion of my life as a student. Trident Technical College has assisted me with my goals, defined my post-graduation plans, and will command my support as a future alumnus. Trident Technical College has assisted me in achieving my goal of a quality education in multiple ways. Firstly, Trident Technical C...

2015 Future Alumni Essay Contest Runner Up TTC Graduate, Donna Pilkerton All of my past efforts to attend college have somehow been thwarted by life’s unexpected events. Just three months prior to high school graduation my step dad died from pancreatic cancer leaving my Mom to sell our home and for me to find a place to work and live. Two additional attempts to try for a college degree in psychology were also disrupted, however this time by my heath issues. Seeing this as an omen that it just wasn’t in my cards to further my education I reluctantly stepped away from my dream. My joy was later resurrected when my husband and I were able to send our two sons onto college for their bachelor’s degree. They have since grown into fine, successful men; enough to make me proud that they have achieved a goal that at one time belonged to me. While I had tabled any more thoughts of enrolling in college, life directed me to another path as I have benefited from a successful career i...

2015 Future Alumni Essay Contest Runner Up TTC Graduate, Crystal Kazmierski Just over five years ago, I was setting sail on my journey of following my dreams when I decided to return to school to become a nurse. At that time, I was living in Columbia where I was a paralegal at a large law firm, and most importantly, I was enjoying motherhood. My husband and I had just welcomed the newest member of our family, our beautiful daughter, Eveliina. Being pregnant and having a natural childbirth was an amazing and life-altering experience. I immersed myself in the process — reading books and articles, talking with friends, asking questions, and participating in classes. Throughout my pregnancy and labor I had positive interactions with my nurses and doctors. They empowered me to become an active participant in my health care. I realized that educating a patient is one of the most important ways a health care provider can positively impact their patient. Through education, and not mere i...

2015 Future Alumni Essay Contest First Place Winner TTC Student, Lacey LeSuer With my husband deployed and a baby on the way, I realized I needed to carpe diem and fully invest in my dream to be an independent business owner. Traveling home for the support of my family during this new and challenging experience brought me great clarity and reflection. Looking over my life and the choices that brought me to where I am today helped me narrow down the details of my career needs: I needed a business with a flexible schedule for motherhood, mobility due to our transient military life, a low risk investment, creative outlet, continued growth opportunities, and a service I could market to those directly around me. These considerations lead me to the art and business of floral design and the Trident Technical College's Floral Design Program. Being raised by blue-collar entrepreneurs I was encouraged from a young age to find my “niche” and let it shine to the world. I have spe...

The Trident Technical College Foundation has held its first Future Alumni Essay Contest. The contest was open to all students enrolled in Spring 2015 classes and over 70 submissions were received.  Students were asked to share what TTC has done to assist them with their goals; their plans immediately after TTC and what they will do to help TTC and future students after leaving college.  The winners are as follows: First Place Lacey LeSuer, 50 Years of Educating – Generations of Influence Runners-up Crystal Kazmierski, Dream, Believe, Achieve Donna Pilkerton, Untitled Donald Anderson Walls, Trident Technical College:  A Regional Pillar Kimberly Beach, A Not So Simple Path The first place winner will receive a check for $1,000 and the runners-up will each receive $500 at the Student Awards Day ceremony on April 30.   Stay tuned on the  TTC Alumni & Friends blog  and on  Facebook  and  Twitter  in...

Andrew Kay When Andrew Kay was in the eighth grade, his grandfather gave him a 1980 El Camino.  That was when he discovered what he wanted to do with his life.  “I always loved working with my hands and fixing things, but tinkering with that car really helped me find my passion,” says Andrew, who is an automotive technician at Hendrick Honda of Charleston . 1980 El Camino Andrew entered high school having already decided what he wanted to do.   So he started taking classes   through Trident Technical College’s Dual Credit Program , earning credits that applied to both his high school diploma and his college degree.  He graduated from high school a year early and immediately started full-time at Trident Tech. “Most of the required classes in high school had nothing to do with my career goals. I didn’t want to waste another year. I loved the automotive classes and the instructors at TTC and wanted to concentrate on that. When you are ...