Introduction
Early in the 21st century the Technical College of the Lowcountry re-examined its mission, clarified its vision for the future, and positioned itself to meet the everchanging needs of the Lowcountry and the challenges of the new millennium. In support of this vision, the Commission of the Technical College of the Lowcountry adopted the mission, philosophy, goals, and underlying values presented here.

The Mission
One of sixteen colleges comprising the South Carolina Technical College System, the Technical College of the Lowcountry traces its origin to the Mather School founded in 1868. The college is a comprehensive, public, two-year college dedicated to serving the diverse educational needs of the rural counties of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper. The College annually serves approximately 8,500 credit and continuing education students, a mix of traditional, non-traditional, full-time, and part-time. The Technical College of the Lowcountry provides quality, affordable academic and technical programs leading to Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates in an environment fostering excellence in teaching and learning. The College prepares graduates with knowledge and skills for transfer to senior colleges and universities and for careers in computer technology, industrial technology, engineering technology, occupational technology, business, health sciences, and public service.

The College serves as an effective partner in the economic and human resource development of the Lowcountry. As an open admissions institution, the Technical College of the Lowcountry offers over 70 academic, transfer, and specialized programs. Offerings include developmental education; arts and sciences; career development; specialized, contract courses tailored for specific businesses and industries; and continuing education to meet the workforce needs of the Lowcountry. In addition to responding to local and regional needs of the area, the College recognizes that state, national, and international issues affect the lives of the citizens of the Lowcountry and responds to these issues appropriately. In support of its educational programs and services the College offers comprehensive student development services to all who seek to better their lives through education. In an atmosphere of shared values, the College encourages creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness among its students, faculty, staff, and administrators. With a commitment to excellence, the Technical College of the Lowcountry creates a positive, student-centered environment. The College empowers individuals by enabling them to learn and to develop throughout their lifetimes.

Philosophy
A learning centered college, the Technical College of the Lowcountry encourages creativity, innovation, resourcefulness, and responsibility. In all of its endeavors the College creates a positive, studentcentered environment emphasizing learning. While the College is responsive to local and regional needs, it recognizes that state, national, and international issues affect the lives of the citizens of the Lowcountry.With its comprehensive programs, the College offers Lowcountry residents the opportunity to enter higher education, to keep their skills up to date and to learn throughout their lifetimes. Through its technical and college transfer programs, the College serves as an effective partner in economic and human resource development in the Lowcountry.

Strategic Goals

The Technical College of the Lowcountry has four major goals:

1. To ensure excellence and value by providing high quality, relevant programs and services to the South Carolina Lowcountry.

2. To assist in the development of a qualified workforce to fulfill the demands of the Lowcountry’s expanding and diversifying economy.

3. To acquire the necessary resources to accomplish the mission of the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

4. To expand educational access and attainment in the college’s service area.

Goal I: To ensure excellence and value by providing high quality, relevant programs and services to the South Carolina Lowcountry.

• Priority Initiatives:
  • Develop guidelines to facilitate credit and continuing education course offerings for seamless transition of students into the workplace.
  • Work with division and departmental advisory committees to identify emerging business/industry trends and develop programs to meet local needs.
  • Identify barriers to student success at TCL and develop strategies to remove barriers.
  • Address the need for additional programs, courses, and student services to deliver via conventional and alternate delivery systems.

Goal II: To assist in the development of a qualified workforce to fulfill the demands of the Lowcountry’s expanding and diversifying economy.

• Priority Initiatives:
  • Address the four county service area’s workforce needs.
  • Work to facilitate the transition from high school to college.
  • Serve as a key partner in the Workforce Investment Act.
  • Enhance the College’s connections with employers in the four county service areas.

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Goal III: To acquire the necessary resources to accomplish the mission of the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

• Priority Initiatives:
  • Develop partnerships with local businesses and other organizations to leverage financial resources.
  • Build relationships with local, state, and federal officials to obtain additional funding.
  • Support and partner with the TCL Foundation to ensure a successful capital campaign.
  • Work to obtain funding through private and public grant opportunities.
  • Develop strategies for increasing faculty and staff compensation.
  • Devise strategies to recruit and retain qualified faculty and staff.

Goal IV: To expand educational access and attainment in the college’s service area.

• Priority Initiatives:
  • Create/develop a continuous presence (physical/virtual) in each county of the College’s service area.
  • Promote the utilization of TCL’s programs and services.
  • Develop new partnerships and enhance existing partnerships with business and industry, public and private non-profit organizations and governmental entities.
  • Develop, nurture and enhance partnerships with public, private and home education systems.
  • Improve the College’s educational support systems.

Institutional Values
In all of its endeavors, TCL values:

• Ethics and Integrity
• Quality, Learning Centered Environments
• Educational Access and Opportunity
• Standards of Excellence
• Teamwork and Effective Communication
• Diversity
• Technology and Innovation
• Creativity, Flexibility, and Adaptability
• Accountability
• Continuous Improvement
• Community Service
• Human Potential
• Relationships with Business and Industry