Connection January/February 2025
In this Issue …
Alumna Dr. Laneika Musalini Delivers Fall Commencement Address........................................................3
Alumna Kayla Witthoeft Accepts National Magnet Nurse of the Year Award...........................................................8
TCTC Celebrates Black History Month.......................................10
Board of Visitors Gets Updates on Workforce Development Programs The TCTC Board of Visitors (BOV) met February 5 at the Anderson Campus and members were given updates on workforce development programs that are expanding and continuing to grow at our Anderson Campus in the near future. The BOV is a group of community leaders who serves as an extension of the College through the President’s Office and works as advocates and ambassadors for Tri-County. Dr. Mandy Elmore, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development, gave the group a timeline for the Anderson Campus master plan, Dr. Mandy Elmore addresses Board of Visitors. which includes a recently completed feasibility study and details on relocating the Automotive Technology program from Pendleton to Anderson, developing a new Diesel Technology program, and offering the two-year Mechatronics program in its entirety. This $23 million investment will develop the existing property at the Anderson Campus. A new academic space will house the full Mechatronics program. The Automotive program will be fully relocated from the Pendleton Campus to the Anderson Campus with a new facility to support the curriculum’s heavy lab components and needs, said Dr. Elmore. Diesel Technology is a new offering and will operate under the Automotive program. It will be a one-year certificate, stand-alone credential or an add on for Automotive students. Mechatronics currently enrolls 350 students at multiple sites (Pendleton, Anderson and Oconee campuses and the Anderson I and II Career and Technology Center). Most of these students come from Anderson County. “The new building will give us the potential to serve up to 94 Mechatronics students at the Anderson Campus,” said Dr. Elmore. Paul Phelps, interim dean of the Engineering and Industrial Technology (EIT) Division, said the hands-on component is the selling point for these critical-needs programs. “They are all about applied skills, and all are in high demand,” he said. As part of this expansion, the Corporate and Community Education’s Power Line Worker, Forklift Operator, Certified Logistics Technician, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Heavy Equipment programs will be enhanced and consolidated. (continued on page 10)