PRESS RELEASE

Date: June 30, 2026
Contact: Karen Potter, kpotter2@tctc.edu


Pendleton, SC – Tri-County Technical College has received a $3,500 grant from the South Carolina Institute on the Prevention of Sexual Violence on College Campuses to support student education, awareness and prevention initiatives focused on sexual violence and related safety issues.

The funding will help expand the College's efforts to provide students with information, resources and support designed to foster a safe and respectful campus environment.

“At Tri-County Technical College, we are committed to developing a safe, informed and empowered student population, and we are grateful to the South Carolina Institute on the Prevention of Sexual Violence on College Campuses for supporting our sexual violence awareness and prevention programs,” said Dr. Mark Dougherty, dean of students at TCTC.

Grant funds will be used to purchase educational materials that help students understand the many facets of sexual violence, including how to recognize warning signs, respond as a victim or bystander, access support services, and understand their rights and reporting options. The materials will be distributed throughout the academic year as part of the College's ongoing educational and prevention efforts.

The grant will also support Tri-County's annual Alcohol and Other Drugs Awareness Event, a collaborative initiative led by Student Support Services, Campus Police and community partners. The event provides students with information and resources related to substance misuse, addiction prevention, personal safety and sexual violence prevention.

Through workshops, exhibits and conversations with campus and community experts, students learn about the connection between substance use and increased vulnerability to high-risk situations. Educational programming also emphasizes that while alcohol or drug use may impair judgment or a person's ability to provide or interpret consent, responsibility for sexual violence always rests with the individual who chooses to cause harm.

“Through these educational materials and events, we seek to empower students to make informed decisions, recognize potentially dangerous situations, and support one another in creating a safer campus community,” said Dr. Dougherty. “We also want students to understand the protections available under Title IX and know where to turn for help when they need it.”

The grant reflects Tri-County Technical College's ongoing commitment to student success, well-being and campus safety through proactive education, prevention and support services.

 

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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.

 

About the S.C. Institute on the Prevention of Sexual Violence on College Campuses
The South Carolina Institute on the Prevention of Sexual Violence on College Campuses (SCIP) is a statewide organization headquartered at Lander University. It is dedicated to lowering the incidence of interpersonal and sexual violence on college campuses across the state through education, prevention grant programs, and statewide collaboration. Click here to learn more about SCIP.