Aiken Technical College employees were recognized as Educators of the Year during the 2024 South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) conference in Myrtle Beach, held Feb. 15-17.
The awards are given to employees in the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) who have contributed to furthering the system’s mission and have done outstanding work in their roles at their colleges, according to a news release from Aiken Technical College.
Each college within the SCTCS selects honorees in the following categories: administrator, faculty, and staff. Aiken Tech’s award recipients are:
Aiken Tech SCTEA Educator of the Year: Administrator—Bruce McCord
Bruce McCord is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Teaching and Technology at Aiken Technical College. He has had this title since 2019. This year marks McCord’s 18th anniversary with Aiken Tech.
His past roles at the college include Coordinator of History and Social Sciences, Chair of History, Social Sciences and Public Services, Director of Teaching and Technology, and the Think! Quality Enhancement Plan chair. In addition to his current director’s role, he is also the Read, Write, Achieve! Quality Enhancement Plan co-chair.
Throughout the years, McCord has received many other awards, such as the College’s SCTEA Educator of the Year award for 2008-2009 and 2016-2017 and the 2010 ATC Faculty Member of the Year.
Aiken Tech SCTEA Educator of the Year: Faculty: Crystal Driesen
Crystal Driesen was awarded her first-ever Educator of the Year: Faculty award.
Driesen is currently the Medical Assisting and Medical Coding Program Director at Aiken Technical College. She has worked for the college for six years.
Over the past years, she has served as 2018 Health Fair Chair, 2019 Health Fair Co-Chair, 2022 United Way Committee member, and a 2022 American Medical Assistant Association National Conference presenter. Currently, she serves as the Student Medical Assisting Association advisor, Curriculum and Instructor Committee member, and consultant and editor for Peterson’s Dean Vaughn Retention System (publisher).
Aiken Tech SCTEA Educator of the Year: Staff—Crystal Edwards
Crystal Edwards was awarded her first-ever Educator of the Year: Staff award. She is the Student Wellness and Accessibility Manager at Aiken Technical College.
Edwards has worked with Aiken Tech for 10 years in various roles, including STEM Coordinator and Student Success Coach. She has also served on fundraising committees for the United Way of Aiken County and the ATC Foundation and as the advisor for the Student Government Association Christian Life Club.
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