Tri-County President Don Garrison Receives Award for
Commitment to Advancement of Access and Equity Causes in State

CONTACT: DR. DON C. GARRISON, EXT. 2102

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/18/99
(By Lisa Garrett)

HILTON HEAD --- Tri-County Technical College President Don C. Garrison was presented the Access and Equity Award today (March 18) for his strong commitment to the advancement of access and equity causes in the state.

The award was given by the S.C. Professional Association for Access and Equity at the four-day Annual Access and Equity conference in Hilton Head. The conference is sponsored by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education.

In his nomination, the College's Access and Equity Advisory Committee Chair Andre Richburg outlined Tri-County's dedication to attracting more minority faculty and staff and to creating and maintaining an institutional environment that values racial and cultural diversity.

Tri-County has an open door admissions policy and an affordable
cost, providing all students a unique opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills for employment or transfer to senior institutions, said Mr. Richburg.

Tri-County consistently ranks high among the state's colleges and universities in achievements of Access and Equity goals. This year, the College ranks seventh among 33 institutions of higher education in the state.

For more than a decade, Dr. Garrison has appointed the area's top leaders to the Community Access and Equity advisory committee, composed of 30 members who help College officials to identify barriers to enrollment and to structure programs to recruit and retain minority students, faculty and staff.

The College's Access and Equity Leadership Team consists of Dr. Garrison, College administrators, staff and CHE liaison. These individuals have the responsibility and authority for making decisions and allocating resources.

Elizabeth Woods of Pendleton is the College's Access and Equity coordinator, and devotes all of her time to assist the administration, faculty and staff in implementing of programs and activities that promote minority student achievement, recruitment, retention, placement and a climate that values diversity. She also assists in the development and implementation of
outreach initiatives designed to meet the needs of the minority communities.

Dr. Garrison emphasizes hiring and promoting African Americans, said Mr. Richburg, and in the past two years, the College has employed African Americans in key positions as instructors, department heads and counselors.

Dr. Garrison produces Issues, a quarterly minority student newsletter, that is distributed to 1,700 area leaders, students, faculty and staff. Also, his other publications are representative of the diverse student population of the College.

"When Dr. Garrison believes strongly in anything, he passionately devotes his time, energy, leadership talents and skills, and other resources to that cause," said Mr. Richburg. "Throughout his 28-year presidency at Tri-County, he has demonstrated that passion for Access and Equity."
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