Dr. Carolyn Fleming

Department Head, Business Technology

Computer Technology (Data Processing) degree, Tri-County Technical College

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Southern Wesleyan University

Master of Science in Career and Technology Education, Clemson University 

Ed.D. in Community College Executive Leadership, Wingate University

Graduation is one of the most meaningful TCTC events that Dr. Carolyn Fleming attends in her role as department head for Business Technology.

“Commencement makes my heart happy,” said Dr. Fleming, who enrolled at TCTC after graduating from West-Oak High School. “I know what students go through to cross the stage. It really is something to be proud of,” she said.

“TCTC was the best choice for me,” she said.  “It was close to home, and I could maintain a part-time job and a work study position.” Dr. Walker attended with funding from the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) which funded books and tuition, allowing her to graduate debt free.

Dr. Fleming is the first in her family to attend college and is the only one in her family to earn master’s and doctoral degrees.

“My parents were proud of me.  It paved the way for future generations.  I’m proud to be a first-gen,” she said.

Dr. Fleming said it was important for her and her sister to go to college. “Education was a priority in our home,” she said.

After graduation she worked as an administrative professional in the business/industry sector and later transitioned into the educational arena, working in public schools as well as technical colleges in the state.  She began her career as a business education teacher at West-Oak High School in Oconee County and later served as an adjunct for TCTC’s AOT program (then Office Systems Technology) from 2002 to 2006 and later at Greenville Technical College, where she was a faculty member for 14 years and AOT department head from 2011 to 2014.

She enlisted in the military, serving in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1987 until her retirement in 2008. “The military was good for me.  It helped me to be confident,” said Dr. Fleming, who worked as an administrative professional in the Reserves and later transitioned to serve as an instructor for the human resources military occupational skill.

When a position came open at her alma mater, she applied and joined TCTC in January 2021 as the program director for Administrative Office Technology.

Her teaching philosophy is similar to former TCTC mentors and teachers, who were encouraging and professional.  “As a student, I had to ask for assistance in tutoring and other resources and they were there to answer general questions or direct me to resources.  When I see students struggling in class, I encourage them to do the same,” she said.  

“I am honored to be a first-gen student as it paved the way for many successes in my life. I also am honored to help other first-gen students so they, too, can obtain their goals,” she said.