Putting Students First

Roxanne Jones, Instructor, Child and Youth Studies

A couple of years ago, I was helping a student register for classes. When we were finished, I asked if she had any other questions or concerns that I could help her with. She hesitated for a moment and then told me that she didn't think she would be able to buy her books.

I asked if she was on financial aid and she said yes, but last term she could not buy books for two of the four courses she registered for. Although financial aid covered all of her tuition, it did not cover all of the books she needed for her classes. So she bought what she could out of pocket and borrowed books from other students whenever possible. She ended up failing two of her courses that semester.

I was shocked to hear this and wondered how does this happen? I got her in touch with Financial Aid, who connected her with a counselor, and it looked like she was going to end up in the exact same situation, without money for books. Someone suggested I contacted TTC Foundation, which I did, and the next thing I know the student came by my office to let me know she had her books.

It turned out that she hadn’t filed her financial aid correctly and it was eventually straightened out. But in the meantime, the TTC Foundation was able to step in and provide funding so that she would be able to start her classes with all of her books.

I started giving to the TTC Foundation in 2010, right after I started worling at TTC, as a way to honor my grandmother. Although she only had an 8^th grade education, she and my grandfather were always reading. She had a deep effect on my love of learning and when I started college, she was one of my biggest cheerleaders. She inspired me to become an educator and I have been teaching for 25 years.

After my experience with that student, I knew that I needed to continue giving to the Foundation. I have always believed that, as educators, we need to put aside our own agendas and make sure that our students have the best possible learning experience. The programs of the Foundation are there to help students be successful, and by donating to the campus campaign, we are making a smart choice to put our students first.

Roxanne Jones
Instructor, Child and Youth Studies

2016 Campus Campaign Captain

Comments

New Laptop is a Game-Changer

When life throws you one challenge after another, you start to appreciate the small wins. For Trident Tech student Kristi Salvo, receiving a new laptop through the Student Urgent Needs (SUN) fund was a game-changer. Like students across the country, Salvo’s in-person classes were abruptly switched to an online format this spring due to COVID-19. But she knew her older computer couldn’t keep up with the online demands and she couldn't afford to buy a new one. “I was already dealing with a lot and it felt like this was going to be the thing that would break me,” she said. Salvo, a veteran of the US Air Force, struggles with health issues, including a back injury and a severe autoimmune disorder. In March, she and her husband separated, leaving her to juggle the responsibility of being a student, while also being a teacher to their two young children. All this, while trying to stay healthy and safe during a global pandemic. After Salvo and her children moved into a smaller, more aff

Loss of Former TTC Film Student Inspires Events

Sarah Jones, a 27-year old camera assistant, was tragically killed last February by a freight train while filming a movie in southeast Georgia. Since then, many friends and colleagues of Jones, a former TTC student, have spoken out about the safety issues surrounding the film industry. Film Veteran Presented Workshop in Honor of Sarah Jones Douglas C. Hart, a respected camera technician in the film industry, agrees that safety on film sets must be improved. Hart presented a a free public workshop at Trident Tech last month. He literally wrote the book on working as a camera assistant. His textbook, “The Camera Assistant: A Complete Professional Handbook,” is used by film students at Trident Tech and at other colleges around the country. In a meeting with TTC film students and in the workshop, Hart focused on safety as well as many other aspects of working in the industry, including camera mechanics, on-set procedures, lenses and filters, and screen tests. To

The Path to Success

As the 11th of 14 children, Kathy Simmons knows what it’s like to be a part of a close-knit family. Which is exactly why she has made her way back to Trident Technical College 33 years after graduating in 1985. Kathy’s path back to TTC began with her desire to fulfill two goals – advance her education and travel – and she figured the best way to accomplish both was through the military. So Kathy joined the Air Force in 1987, and did indeed accomplish both goals. She received her Bachelor of Arts while stationed in Minot, North Dakota, her Master of Arts from Erskine Theological Seminary and she has completed 60 hours toward a Doctor of Education from Walden University. She saw much of the country and spent time overseas in Korea. After the military, Kathy found herself back at TTC in the Admissions and Registrar’s office, and it was there she realized she really wanted to stay in education and help students find success. But a wise mentor once told her that in order to advance

Change Starts Here

Search This Blog