Mission Statement

College History

Trident Technical College traces its origins to 1964, when it began operations as the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Technical Education Center (BCD Center). Established through a statewide initiative led by Governor Ernest “Fritz” Hollings, the center was created to meet South Carolina’s growing demand for skilled engineering technicians and industrial craftsmen. Under the leadership of CEO John H. Clark, the BCD Center welcomed its first 226 students in two buildings on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston.

In 1972, the South Carolina General Assembly passed Act 1268, expanding the mission of technical education centers to include college-parallel programs. This allowed students to complete the first two years of a traditional four-year college education. The following year, the BCD Center merged with Palmer College, a business college located in downtown Charleston, forming Trident Technical College. Richard L. Waldroup Jr., then serving as CEO, became TTC’s first president. The original North Charleston location became known as North Campus, while the downtown site was designated Palmer Campus.

The college continued to grow through the 1980s. In 1982, the Berkeley Campus opened near Moncks Corner, and North Campus was renamed Main Campus in 1983. Palmer Campus was relocated in 1986 to its current site at the former C.A. Brown High School.

In 1989, TTC briefly closed for two weeks due to Hurricane Hugo. The 1990s then ushered in significant shifts in educational delivery, including the introduction of videotaped courses and, later, online learning. Dual credit programs were launched, allowing high school students to earn college credit. The college transitioned from a quarter to a semester system in 1991, and Dr. Mary Thornley became TTC’s fifth president.

In June 1993, the Charleston Naval Shipyard and Base closed, resulting in the loss of approximately 22,000 civilian and military jobs. Thanks to TTC’s existing training programs and its rapid response to community needs, the region recovered more quickly than expected, highlighting a defining aspect of the college’s legacy: adaptability in service to the community.

From the mid-1990s through the early 2000s, TTC experienced major physical and programmatic growth. Land acquisitions and facility renovations supported increasing enrollment. In 1997, the first phase of the Complex for Economic Development was completed, enhancing Continuing Education offerings. By 2000, fall enrollment surpassed 10,000 credit students, with more than 135 academic programs available. The second and third phases of the complex opened in 2003 and 2004, adding state-of-the-art facilities, including the Culinary Institute of Charleston, Information Technology Center, Learning Center for Developmental Studies, Trident Aeronautical Training Center, Nursing Auditorium, Industrial Maintenance Technology Center, science labs, and general classrooms.

The 2010s brought further innovation. Dual credit opportunities expanded with the launch of Berkeley Middle College and Early College High School on Palmer Campus. To serve residents of eastern Charleston County, TTC opened the Mount Pleasant Campus in 2011. In fall 2013, college enrollment reached a record high of 17,489 students.

Focusing on student success, the college introduced seven-week course terms within traditional semesters in fall 2014. Major developments on Main Campus included the opening of the Nursing and Science Building in 2014, its renaming to Thornley Campus in 2018, and the opening of the South Carolina Aeronautical Training Center in 2019.

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a swift transition to fully online operations. TTC adopted new instructional and administrative models and introduced flexible academic options such as three-week minimesters and Wintermester.

The college continued expanding access with the opening of its fifth full-service location, Dorchester Campus in Summerville, in 2021.

In 2024, Trident Technical College marked the retirement of Dr. Mary Thornley after 50 years of service, including more than three decades as president. Her leadership left a legacy of growth, innovation, and community engagement. On July 1, 2024, following a nationwide search, Dr. Vicky Wood was appointed TTC’s sixth president, ushering in a new chapter in the college’s history.

Today, Trident Technical College serves the needs of approximately 20,000 students annually.