Cathy Strasser to Retire August 8
Press Release
Date: August 1, 2025
Contact: lgarrett@tctc.edu
Cathy Strasser to Retire August 8
PENDLETON --- During Cathy Strasser’s 20 years of service at TCTC, she made a lasting difference in every area of the College that she worked.
Colleagues from across campus gathered July 31 to say goodbye and wish her well in her retirement. Strasser’s last day at the College is Friday, August 8.
Over two decades, Strasser has worked in the business office, Connect to College (C2C) and I-BEST before taking the role of program assistant for Academic and Career Foundations in 2019.
“Cathy’s influence at TCTC extends far beyond her own department. Whether she was mentoring colleagues, solving budget puzzles, or supporting students, she made a lasting difference. Her retirement is well-earned, but she leaves some very big shoes to fill,” said Jennifer Hulehan, dean of the Arts and Sciences Division. (Hulehan worked closely with Strasser when Hulehan was dean of Academic and Career Foundations.)
“I never would have dreamed that I would be here for 20 years,” said Strasser. “In my different roles, I have worked alongside many individuals who care about the students. My favorite team /position was to be part of Connect to College, along with Cindy Mobley and Tiffany Rogers. We put many extra hours in just to help the students succeed, but it was worth it. We were an amazing team! I believe in Tri-County and how it serves the students and the community. Most importantly, I am inspired by the stories of changed lives that I have heard throughout my time here. It is sad to say goodbye to a job that I love. But I am looking forward to my new chapter.”
Strasser joined TCTC in 2005 as a fiscal technician in the business office.
“Cathy has been a cornerstone of our college community for the past 20 years, beginning her journey in the Fiscal Affairs area of the Business Affairs division,” said Cara Hamilton, vice president for business affairs. “Her conscientious nature, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication have made a lasting impact. Whether she was clarifying a complex accounting transaction or guiding a colleague through College policies, Cathy was always ready to lend a helping hand. Her passion and servant’s heart have touched many, and her presence will be deeply missed. Wishing you all the best in your well-earned retirement. Congratulations, Cathy!”
In March of 2015, she began as a program resource associate for C2C, a program for students who, for a variety of reasons, faced difficult challenges to traditional high school environments.
“Cathy was a significant contributor to the Connect to College (C2C) program,” said Diana Walter, former director of C2C and now director for Technical Skills for Success (TSS). “Whether in managing detailed work procedures or providing support and encouragement to students, Cathy was the “go to” person for so many things. Her work ethic and her problem-solving ability were unparalleled – she certainly was a big part of C2C’s accomplishments, especially during several critical transition periods.”
Strasser has worked with fiscal analyst Debbie Nelms in the Foundation office as she served as an internal auditor for the TCTC Foundation. In this capacity Strasser tracked the Foundation’s transactions on a monthly basis and verified that each one was recorded properly on the Foundation’s financial statement. “The Foundation is proud to have a long-standing track record of receiving clean unqualified audits that have required no journal entries from the auditor, and Cathy has played a role in this significant achievement. We truly value her attention to detail and her willingness to audit our records outside her normal work schedule,” said Nelms.
From 2017 to 2019, Strasser served as program assistant for I-BEST, or the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training program, which is designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs in high-demand fields and the further postsecondary education needed for career growth and advancement. The program blends college credit, non-credit training and industry-recognized skills certifications.
Then, in 2019, she became office manager for Academic and Career Foundations, continuing to provide support for I-BEST as well as for Comprehensive Studies and Manufacturing Works.
David Moore, dean of Academic and Career Foundations, worked with Strasser starting in the fall of 2022 when he was serving as the I-BEST Director. “Cathy was my greatest resource as I settled into my job at the College when I first started. She always had answers for all of my questions and never hesitated to carve out time to train (or retrain) me on the various aspects of the job. Much of what I know about the College now is the result of her kind and consistent guidance and support. While we are excited to see her enjoy her retirement, the division is definitely sad to see her go.”
“Working with Cathy was a masterclass in showing up, solving problems, and never backing down from a challenge. She’s one of those rare people who made everything run better—and made you laugh along the way,” said Hulehan.
“Cathy always knew what needed to be done—and then just did it. No fuss, no fanfare, just results. That kind of quiet magic doesn’t come around often. We’re all better for having worked with her,” said Hulehan.
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, industrial electronics, 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.
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