Connection July/August 2026
In this Issue …
Johnson Scholarship Foundation Creates Endowment.............................3
Katee Fletcher Receives Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence.......................................4
BASF Apprenticeship Celebrates 5 Years.................................5
Early Care and Education Named Advisory Committee of the Year The Early Care and Education (ECE) Committee received the 2026 Outstanding Advisory Committee of the Year award. The award, which was presented at fall convocation Aug. 12, recognizes the committee’s tireless work during the year to enhance educational opportunities for the citizens of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. Winners are chosen from among the College’s instructional program advisory committees and other approved advisory committees. “The Early Care and Education Advisory Committee members include, left to right: Traci Boyles, Committee was selected for this award executive director, Early Childhood Educational because of its exceptional commitment to Instructional Services, School District of Pickens County; student success, innovation and workforce Paige Wall, executive director, First Steps of Anderson development,” said Vice President of Academic County; Shannon Vaughn, SHARE head start director, Affairs and Workforce Development Dr. Children and Family Development; Meredith Dickens, Mandy Elmore. “This committee has gone far department head, Public Services, and ECE faculty; Dr. Brandi Dillman, ECE program director and faculty; and beyond its traditional advisory role by actively Richard Hemsley, regional partnership manager, North strengthening partnerships with local school Greenville University. districts, childcare providers and community leaders to ensure students have access to high-quality practicum experiences and professional mentoring.” The committee was instrumental in the creation and growth of the South Carolina Early Care and Education Student Conference. This event provides students with valuable opportunities for professional development, networking and career readiness. In addition, the ECE Advisory Committee supported development of new learning spaces in Pickens Hall. It helped to design innovative, hands-on environments to prepare the next generation of early childhood education teachers. “Most importantly, the members of this committee have demonstrated a genuine passion for the success of our students, serving as advocates, mentors and strategic partners whose efforts will have a lasting impact on the future of early childhood education in our region,” said Dr. Elmore. TCTC’s ECE program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It is also a pilot participant in South Carolina’s Tech to Teach Scholars initiative, which helps address the state’s teacher shortage. The initiative supports students as they progress from technical college programs into educator preparation pathways.