Change Starts Here

Jenna Pernell, First Place Winner 2019 Future Alumni Essay Contest Endless days and nights were fueled by the needs and cries of little ones. Sleep was no longer a priority, but more of a luxury. I was a mother trying to cope with parenting a one-year-old daughter as well as a newborn daughter. My life 7 years ago seemed fulfilled by the love of a husband and the blessing of children. I thrived as a stay-at-home mom who was lucky to experience and enjoy each day with my children as they learned new things. I told myself that I would be the most upstanding wife and mom by doing everything possible to keep our home clean and organized. My husband worked effortlessly to keep a steady income that provided for our family. The struggles of providing for a family of four with one income began to be daunting. The monotony of each day slowly started to bring on a sense of sadness and missed opportunity. Refusing to settle for a life of living paycheck to paycheck is what inspired me to p...

Addie Ledbetter,  Second Place Winner 2019 F uture Alumni Essay Contest I’m sure as you are beginning to read my essay, you are wondering why I entitled it “Lagniappe.” You may even be wondering how to pronounce the word or what it could possibly mean. Lagniappe [lan yap] – noun. Something given as a bonus or extra gift. Synonyms: Reward. Prize. Bonus. Incentive. Now it may be a little bit clearer as to why I chose the Cajun French word of Lagniappe to describe my experience at Trident Technical College. Now, let’s look at the definition of the word college. College – noun. An educational institution or establishment, in particular, one providing higher education or specialized training. Albeit, TTC does provide higher education and professional training for many students each term, it is truly so much more than that. I started at Trident in the Fall of 2017 with one goal in mind; obtain my nursing degree. Like many students, this would be my second degree. I had just graduat...

Maria Martin Third Place Winner,  2019  Future Alumni Essay Contest When I graduated high school, I knew that I wanted to study Creative Writing and Art. I went to a four-year liberal arts college and pursued a double major in English with Creative Writing and Studio Art. I got a lot out of my time as an undergraduate. I had the chance to develop an artistic practice that is fulfilling to me to this day. I learned how to think critically and develop ideas, but I did not spend much time as an undergraduate considering my future career. It wasn’t until the middle of my last semester that I realized with a pang of regret that in order to share art with a wider audience, I needed to develop computer skills in website design, creating print layouts, editing photos and videos. I felt like I had missed an important opportunity to learn these skills in college. I didn’t believe that I had enough time or money to continue my educati...

TTC President Mary Thornley leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the SC Aeronautical Training Center  The college officially opened the South Carolina Aeronautical Training Center on Friday, Nov. 9 with a ribbon-cutting event for industry partners, donors and elected officials. Gov. Henry McMaster, TTC President Mary Thornley and other dignitaries cut the ribbon in one the facilities' two aircraft hangars. The new center houses all of the college’s Aeronautical Studies programs and provides space for both academic and continuing education training in other advanced manufacturing fields. ReadySC’s Boeing Training Center, where pre-employment, new hire and skill enhancement training for BoeingSC is held, is located on the building’s third floor. Anita Zucker, TTC Area Commissioner The $80 million center includes an aircraft ramp, two hangars with high bays to accommodate a variety of aircraft and large aircraft training aids, 22 classrooms, 25 specialty labs, six ...

Employees received resistance bands at a campaign pop-up event at the Wellness Center The TTC Foundation held its annual Campus Campaign in September and once again, faculty and staff showed their support for students in a big way. The So Much More campaign raised more than $73,000, with contributions from 80% of employees. With campaign chairs on every campus leading 63 volunteer team captains, employees are happy to be involved with making a difference for TTC students. "We care about our students at Trident Technical College," said Randy Grimes, TV and Media Production Department Head and Thornley Campus Campaign Co-Chair, "We want them to do well, to succeed and provide for themselves and their families," Thornley Campus Co-Chairs Randy Grimes and Alison Rose Employees support the campaign because they see first-hand how giving impacts students, and because they are passionate about their success. Half of TTC students are the first in thei...

Pictured (from left) Brad Zaback, vice president and general manager of the Boeing 787 program; Cris Felty, TTC’s director of grants development and administration; Lisa Piccolo, TTC’s vice president for Advancement and executive director of the TTC Foundation; Lindsay Leonard, senior director of national strategy and engagement for Boeing; and Edward Downing, change accelerator for Boeing South Carolina. Boeing South Carolina announced its 2019 community investments on Giving Tuesday , Dec. 3, including a grant of $125,000 to the TTC Foundation to support the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship program . Funds will be used to hire a temporary staff member to provide additional assistance to apprentices and industry mentors; to purchase books and other course-related materials for students; to buy program supplies and materials, and to provide workshops for middle and high school counselors to raise awareness and understanding of th...