Lisa Saxon to Retire July 1
Press Release
Date: June 20, 2025
Contact: lgarrett@tctc.edu
Lisa Saxon to Retire July 1
PENDLETON, SC -- Earlier this year, longtime staff member and Tri-County Technical College alumna Lisa Saxon announced July 1 as her retirement date. Less than two weeks away, she says her last day will be “a mixed bag of emotions. I’m excited for what’s ahead, but I’m sad that I won’t see my TCTC friends every day.”
Saxon has been at the College for 23 years, starting out as an administrative assistant for the Institutional Advancement Division and since 2009 has worked in the Research and Evaluation department, most recently as a statistical research analyst.
She is looking forward to caring for her grandchildren, ages 3 and 18 months, several days a week. “I love being with my grandchildren,” she said. But her co-workers have become like family, and she said it will be an adjustment not to see KC Bryson and Marianne Yohannan on a regular basis.
The group, joined by retiree Mary Johnston, whom Lisa worked with in the Institutional Advancement office, will gather for a sendoff lunch on July 1. “These kinds of friends don’t come around often,” Saxon said, adding they have committed to maintaining their regular get-togethers. “We don’t want to lose that connection,” she said.
“It’s hard for me to imagine TCTC without Lisa,” said Bryson. “For more than 20 years, Lisa has been the absolute cornerstone of the Institutional Research team. From her start as an administrative assistant to her growth into a skilled research analyst, she’s consistently shown an amazing willingness to learn new tasks and take on more responsibilities. Her dedication and contributions have been key to our department’s success and to Tri-County’s success. Beyond her professional achievements, Lisa has been a wonderful friend to so many of us, especially to me. Through the years, she’s been that person I could always count on to listen without judgment and offer unwavering support. The lunches we’ve shared have been more than just meals; they’ve been moments of connection, laughter, and comfort that I’ll truly cherish. I will miss her deeply,” said Bryson.
“It has been a true privilege to work alongside a colleague who exemplifies care, compassion, and kindness,” said Yohannan. “Working with Lisa has been nothing short of amazing—full of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and a shared commitment to going the extra mile. The support and camaraderie have made every challenge easier and every success more meaningful. One of the most memorable accomplishments we shared was collaborating on the SACSCOC 5th Year Interim Report. Meeting that critical deadline required long hours, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. Thanks to the amazing teamwork, our results were positive.”
Since graduating with honors in 2001, Saxon has never hesitated to give back to her alma mater.
She began her career at Springs Industries in Anderson where she worked for 17 years until the plant closed in 1998. She took advantage of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding and enrolled as a full-time student in the Office Systems Technology program (now Administrative Office technology). She worked part time while a student.
She was a member of the Alpha Zeta Beta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and was on the dean’s and president’s lists. She was working as an administrative assistant at a local storage company when she read about the job opening at Tri-County. She began in 2002 as an administrative specialist in the Institutional Advancement Division.
Saxon joined TCTC’s Alumni Association after Mary Johnston, former alumni association director, asked her to get involved. Saxon became active with the alumni and spring open golf tournaments, as well as other fundraising events that provided scholarships for students, offer book/supply awards, and faculty/staff professional development opportunities. Lisa served as secretary and president of the Alumni Association. In 2007, she and other Alumni Association board of director members celebrated being the first to name a room, the Student Lounge, at the Anderson Campus.
She says she also enjoyed assisting at graduation, helping students to get ready before the ceremony. “That was really fun, especially the year my son, Nicholas, earned his degree.”
She served on the Service Excellence Team for several years and was a member of the Staff Advisory Board since 2021. She served as co-chair for the past two years.
“As Lisa embarks on a well-deserved retirement, I celebrate not only her remarkable achievements but also the lasting impact she has made—both at our college and in my own life,” said Yohannan. “Her presence has been a source of encouragement, wisdom, and warmth. I will deeply miss hearing her cheerful greeting as I entered the office, as well as the inspiration and joy she brought with her each day. I wish Lisa all the happiness, relaxation, and adventure that this next chapter of life has to offer—she’s truly earned it.”
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.
