In addition to being a full-time TTC student, Joyce works full-time as an Account Specialist III for Charleston County where she has been employed for almost six years. She currently has a 3.76 GPA.

Would you say your experiences at TTC have changed your life?

I would definitely say that my experiences here at TTC have changed my life. I think it has shown me that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Why did you initially decide to enroll at Trident Technical College?

I was looking to go to school part-time just to see what interested me. I really like numbers so I originally majored in Accounting, but after the first semester, I realized the program was not what I thought it was going to be. So, I changed my major to AOT (Administrative Office Technology) because I like working in an office environment and everything that this encompasses. After I changed my major, I started going full-time because I wanted a challenge.

What are the primary factors that have affected your academic success at TTC?

I have a huge desire to succeed and to do it well! I think it helps that I've been pretty blessed in the advisor and teacher departments. I've never had an issue with not being able to get help with any problem I was having. Even my fellow students have been helpful.

Have you received a scholarship or other financial aid while you've been enrolled at TTC?

I have not received any scholarships, but I do receive lottery tuition assistance (LTA) as well as general student loans. The LTA funding was something that I wasn't even expecting when I started thinking about college, but when I found out I was eligible and was going to be receiving it, I was very grateful. It really helps to know that with all the money I will have to pay back that won't be part of it. Getting the LTA funding was actually part of the reason I decided to go full-time because I felt like I was wasting some of it by only going part-time. So, I decided to enroll full-time to take advantage of all the resources that I could, financially.

Have you received any other kind of support from TTC faculty, staff or even your fellow students that has been especially helpful for you?

My advisor has been awesome. I generally try to ask her what I should enroll in each semester, and she's always there to guide me and give me advice as to which direction to go. My teachers have all been great about answering questions for me, and my fellow students have been very helpful on the discussion boards.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I'd love to see myself somewhere higher up in government work, somewhere where I can make more of a difference.