Jennifer Ward Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award
PRESS RELEASE
Date: May 4, 2026
Contact: Lisa Garrett, lgarrett@tctc.edu
Jennifer Ward Receives Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award
PENDLETON --- Jennifer Ward, who has taught for Tri-County Technical College’s Criminal Justice program for seven years, received the College’s 2026 Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award today (May 4.)
This award is given annually at the spring faculty/staff convocation to the adjunct faculty member who is recognized for excellence in teaching, who has consistently high student evaluations and who supports the philosophy and goals of the College.
Ward has been an integral member of TCTC’s Criminal Justice Department since fall 2019. Over the past seven years, she has taught each semester, continuously delivering instruction across all Paralegal courses totaling approximately 40 classes and serving more than 600 students. “Her consistency, subject matter expertise, and unwavering commitment to student success have been foundational to the strength of our Paralegal Emphasis program,” said Dr. Jackie Blakley, dean of the Business and Public Services Division.
Ward has played a key role in developing, updating, and continuously refining the Paralegal curriculum to ensure students are well-prepared for their careers. “This commitment is reflected in the program’s consistently high student success rates, which rank among the highest in the department year after year,” said Dr. Blakley.
“Jennifer consistently demonstrates creativity and compassion in supporting students facing life’s challenges,” said Dr. Blakley. “Many Paralegal students are working adults pursuing career changes and balancing academic responsibilities with work and family obligations. To accommodate these realities, Jennifer routinely streams and records her in-person lectures, providing flexibility and creating an archive of materials for student review. This practice not only supports academic success but also reduces the stress and anxiety often associated with missed classes due to unavoidable circumstances.”
In their surveys, students consistently note Ward’s accessibility, responsiveness, and commitment to their success, as well as her efforts to share relevant events and opportunities.
“Students appreciate her willingness to provide additional resources and her use of recorded lectures to accommodate diverse learning needs,” said Dr. Blakley. “They also highlight her ability to balance structure with open discussion, provide clear instructions, design assignments aligned with real-world paralegal work, and offer continued guidance even after they have completed her courses.”
Beyond the classroom, Ward has taken meaningful steps to support students as they transition into the workforce. She established a Paralegal Alumni Network to foster continued connection among graduates, facilitate the sharing of professional successes, and promote job opportunities. Additionally, she actively engages with local law firms, identifies employment and internship opportunities, and leverages her professional network to benefit students.
Ward also has pursued innovative opportunities to enhance student learning, including establishing a partnership with the Clemson University library. This collaboration provides students with personalized tours, instruction from a law librarian, ongoing access to legal resources, and Clemson University library cards.
Ward holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clemson University. She also holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The University of Alabama Law School and received the Order of the Samaritan Medal, the highest public service honor bestowed by the university.
Ward is the former chair of the School of Criminal Justice for ITT Technical Institute in Greenville. Her prior work experience includes assistant professor of law for Bahir Dar University School of Law in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
She also has served as county law librarian for Tuscaloosa County Courthouse in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and was a law clerk for the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program and the Domestic Relations Division of the Tuscaloosa County District Court.
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About Tri-County Technical College
Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, business administration, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu.
