Continuing Education & Workforce Development
From healthcare to manufacturing to business management and more, TCL offers a wide range of continuing education programs and workforce training.
Those who complete one of the more than 60 in-person or online CE courses typically come away with state or national certification and handson experience — often in less than six months.
It’s this quick completion that makes continuing education programs the right fit for many students.
“Continuing education is becoming more important than ever, which is why it’s important to listen to employers and the community and try to meet employers and the community where they are.”
Dr. Greg Cook, Continuing Education and Workforce Development Director
Some take a course for personal growth or professional development. Others are looking for a better paying job or more fulfilling career. And now more than ever, those are the things people are looking for, said TCL’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development Director, Dr. Greg Cook.
“It’s definitely a different ecosystem out there now than it was a year or two years ago,” he said, reflecting on the impact COVID-19 has had on the economy.
And that’s why the mission of Continuing Education and Workforce Development — to promote and provide quality programs and courses that enhance the community — is so important, he said.
Building and maintaining strong partnerships with area businesses and stakeholders is part of that, he explained. The division assists businesses of all sizes with their personnel training needs and professional development.
To accomplish their mission, Cook and his team have begun the process of expanding or enhancing the division’s current programs while launching new offerings to mirror both the college’s academic offerings and community needs.
For example, TCL recently launched live online classes in cybersecurity, which trains individuals to protect computer systems and networks from cyberattacks.
Students can start with the CE curriculum and get into the field quickly, and then return to TCL for a college certificate or an associate degree.
The CE division has also added Certified Manufacturing Technician training and is working with Hampton County School District to offer the course to high school students at the TCL Hampton Campus.
CE is also working to enhance other programs such as its Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL program, and welding courses. In addition, the college has added several key positions to the Continuing Education office including the director’s position. After Cook came on board in October, he immediately began work on a oneyear and three-year plan.
“Our goal is to elevate and raise awareness of our programs and workforce training,” he said. “Continuing education is becoming more important than ever, which is why it’s important to listen to employers and the community and try to meet employers and the community where they are.”
Greg Cook
CEWD Director
Dr. Greg Cook joined TCL after serving as campus vice chancellor at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, Ind. Prior to Ivy Tech, he worked in public affairs for several N.C. government agencies. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill; an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University; and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State University.
“We want to eliminate the puzzling credential maze and instead develop a credential funnel. And we can do that through strong internal and external partnerships.“
Tiffany Harrison
CE Administrative Coordinator
Tiffany Harrison is a Beaufort native. She has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and is a certified Career Development Facilitator and Contract trainer. Tiffany has over 10 years of experience in career development and training programs.
“Continuing Education is important because we offer short, skillbased programs to give our students a competitive advantage in the workforce.“
Rhonda Anderson
Allied Health Program Administrator
Rhonda Anderson comes to the Technical College of the Lowcountry from Greenville Technical College. She has 15 years of experience teaching Phlebotomy, as well as managing multiple continuing education healthcare programs. She received her master’s degree in Allied Health Education from Widener University, Chester, Pa., and her Bachelor of Science degree in Organization Management with a concentration in healthcare, from Charleston Southern University.
“It’s rewarding to watch new students gain confidence in their skills and acquire the knowledge they need to begin their own rewarding careers in healthcare.“
