Charleston, SC - March 3, 2025 – Trident Technical College (TTC) is thrilled to announce that the South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) has named Pepe Zerda Innovator of the Year. Zerda received the prestigious award at SCTEA’s annual conference on Feb. 21 for developing an academic advising platform that benefits students and advisors in the Associate in Arts (AA) degree program.
Pepe Zerda“As faculty advisors, we need to know what courses will transfer to help our students maximize their financial and personal resources, including time,” Zerda said, explaining the impetus behind her efforts. Those efforts have paid off in that her innovative solutions have improved the advising process for transfer students in the Humanities and Social Sciences division.
For advisors to be effective and help students avoid transfer barriers, they must understand TTC and transfer protocols mandated by state systems. To do this, Zerda initiated several tactics:
A robust online tool for faculty advisors. The site, housed in the college’s learning
platform, includes many resources such as how-to videos to help advisors use systems
to engage with their advisees. In addition, the online tool includes modules with
contact information for departments throughout the college that are relevant to faculty
advising.
First Fridays. This monthly drop-in allows all Humanities and Social Sciences
Division 
advisors to learn about advising-related topics, share concerns and ask questions.
Dr. Wood and Pamela Evette
Smart Sheets. This tool lists course transfer equivalences by institution, allowing
advisors to make better recommendations for taking courses at TTC for transfer to
other S.C. institutions. These documents align with state transfer guidelines and
articulation agreements.
By designing a dedicated platform for AA faculty to support transfer students, Zerda has leveraged technology to enhance communication, streamline advising processes, quickly train new faculty advisors and improve the overall transfer experience at Trident Technical College.
TTC also celebrates the first-place win of student Trish Emery in the Beauty of South Carolina Art Contest. Emery was recognized at the conference, and her pastel artwork was gifted to S.C. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.