The College of Education at Clemson University has presented Greenville Technical College with a 2024 Distinguished Partner of the Year Award along with Tri-County Technical College. The award recognizes partnerships that provide sustained or innovative support.
The award is based on the Expressway to Tiger Town initiative, which provides a seamless, accelerated pathway from high school to a Clemson University education degree. Participants complete one year of college through dual credit courses in high school, spend one year at a technical college, and finish the remainder of the program at Clemson, allowing them to receive a bachelor’s degree three years after high school graduation. Students can also choose to spend an additional year at Clemson to earn a master’s degree, which means higher starting pay. The goal is to address the critical teacher shortage by combining the efforts of educators across the Upstate in growing teacher talent.
The program, launched in 2019, has grown steadily since its inception. Currently, 40 students are enrolled.
“The best partnerships bring all the right players to the table to solve challenges, and with the teacher shortage in our area, that means Greenville County Schools, Greenville Technical College, and Clemson University,” said Dr. Larry Miller, vice president for learning and workforce development at Greenville Technical College. “This partnership allows students to quickly and affordably fill a workforce need, giving them the opportunity to enter a rewarding career without delay.”