Dean of Palmer Campus Speaks to Graduates of Project HOPE

Dr. Lou Robinson, graduation speaker. Photo provided 

Trident Technical College commits itself to helping students get an education. No matter what path is behind them, students can get a fresh start with us. This was the message of Dr. Lou Robinson, Dean of the Palmer Campus, to the graduates of Project HOPE on Friday, June 24, 2016.  

Project HOPE is a Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The project goal is to provide education and training to low-income individuals for occupations in healthcare that pay well. 

Support for Single Parents Could Increase College Success

Hillary Clinton is advocating a nationwide scholarship program for single parents called SPARK, which would provide up to $1,500 per year per student to help offset expenses like child care and transportation.

Inside Higher Ed reports that Student Parents in America Raising Kids is a massive scaling up of an Arkansas program Clinton helped launch as the state’s first lady — that program has awarded 40,000 scholarships, and, in 2014, 86% of recipients either graduated or persisted.

To continue reading article at Inside Higher Ed.

Registration Now Open for Summer II and Fall Semester

Registration is now open for Summer II session as well as Fall semester. Summer II begins July 11 and ends August 9. Fall semester begins August 22. Come on in now to get signed up for classes! 

TTC Holds Workshop to Discuss Funds Available for Employers Who Hire Apprentices

The Post and Courier reports that TTC will hold a workshop for employers this week about training funds available under a South Carolina apprenticeship program. The workshop will be held Wednesday, June 29, from 8:30-10:00 am at the Main Campus (North Charleston) in Building 410, room 212-214.

If you haven't noticed, apprenticeships are getting attention lately, with another recent article in the Post and Courier, "Youth Apprenticeship Programs on the Rise in Charleston and Statewide." The article explains, "The initiative promises upperclassmen the chance to split their time between high school, Trident Tech and their jobs, giving them college credit and paid work experience to go with their high school diplomas." Employers, then, should come to the workshop to find out how to get involved in the program. Contact Tori New-Carter at (843) 574-6177 for more information.

Student Advice: Credit Cards or Federal Student Loans?

New report on transfer of struggling students from universities to community colleges finds students benefit from moving in nontraditional direction.

From the Inside High Ed article: 

Community colleges and universities continue to work toward improving their relationship when it comes to moving students from a two-year campus to a four-year one as they pursue bachelor's degrees.

But a sizable population of students is also moving the other direction. They're transferring out of four-year universities and into community colleges for a number of reasons. A report from the Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and Employment at the Community College Research Center at Columbia University finds that this reverse transfer benefits struggling students.

The paper details that struggling students who transfer to a two-year college are no less likely than struggling nontransfer students to earn a bachelor's' degree after they attend the community college and move back to a four-year institution. And early employment outcomes show that the labor market doesn't penalize the four-to-two transfer. It also defines "struggling" as students who earned less than a 3.0 GPA in the first semester.

"It's a very positive result, especially for students going into more structured programs," said Vivian Liu, the paper's author and a senior research assistant at CCRC. "If they're facing academic or financial difficulty, their best bet is to transfer to the two-year."

For students who struggle in their first year in the university setting, they may realize that instead of continuing to struggle in that academic setting and pay three more years of full tuition, it could be more effective to transfer to the less expensive community college, Liu said.

"And the labor market outcomes show that you don't earn any less than people who stay. You might have a chance of earning more," she said.  To continue reading at Inside Higher Ed

Student Advice: Tips on Transferring from a Community College to a University

Community college is a popular and affordable option for many students. Although it has many perks, it can be quite difficult to maneuver your way around prerequisites, choosing your major, and getting into your dream university in a timely-manner. Check out these tips from a

former community college student. 

Trident Tech team from Charleston County EMS wins Paramedic Savers challenge

The winning team from Charleston County EMS

 (from left) Sierra Beach, Emergency Medical

Technology class of 2017, and Meredith Leventis

and Maggie Hartman, Emergency Medical Technology

 class of 2016.

by David Hansen

A three-person team made up of two recent Emergency Medical Technology graduates and an EMT student won top honors at the eighth annual Paramedic Savers Basic and Intermediate Challenge held May 7.

This event gives basic and intermediate/advanced EMTs from North and South Carolina the opportunity to compete in a challenging and realistic scenario-based competition. Lancaster County EMS hosted this year’s competition.

Student Advice: How to Transfer to a Selective Four-Year College

Students and college administrators from selective colleges share their insights

and give advice on why and how to transfer from a community college

to a selective four-year college or university.