Trident Technical College employee wins statewide award for innovation
April 7, 2016
Laurie Boeding, dean of business technology at Trident Technical College, is the 2016 recipient of the A. Wade Martin Innovator of the Year Award, which is given each year by the S.C. Technical College System Foundation.
The A. Wade Martin Award recognizes individuals in the technical college system who employ innovative approaches to meet the ever-changing needs in the technical education arena and whose achievements impact most positively in the system’s statewide efforts in economic development and the education of technical college students. A. Wade Martin was the executive director of South Carolina’s first technical and industrial training program.
Boeding won the award for her efforts to put TTC on the forefront of cybersecurity education. She revamped the Network Systems Management program with cybersecurity and cyberforensics components, pursued grants to fund cyberforensics competitions and STEM workshops, recruited new members to the academic advisory board, built partnerships with local school districts and government agencies, and brought instructional equipment and software used by students up to industry standards. She has also reached out to promote the career field to girls, since women are a minority in the information technology field.
“Laurie has been a champion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in the Charleston area for many years. Her passion to see students succeed in this area is evident in her commitment to support programs in the Charleston tri-county area,” said Shanda Johnson, SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic STEM outreach director. “Laurie has been involved in nearly all community initiatives supporting STEM education, especially when focused on underserved and underrepresented groups.”
Boeding’s multi-layered approach has resulted in an advanced cybersecurity curriculum that other colleges are using as a model. Trident Tech’s well-equipped labs are now the pinnacle to aspire to, with high schools and other colleges looking at TTC’s labs when designing their own. Four-year colleges and universities are reaching out to the college to discuss transfer program options and Boeding and her faculty members have been invited to collaborate nationally on cybersecurity curriculum. Her efforts have not only resulted in making Trident Tech a leader in cybersecurity education, but have strengthened and promoted STEM and cyberforensics locally and across the state.
“Laurie has been a vital link between the college and our service area and has developed innovative approaches to keeping that link strong and effective,” said Connie Jolly, assistant vice president for academic affairs. “She is a tireless advocate for her students, the community and the college. Cyberforensics is a new emerging career field and Trident Technical College is on the education forefront as a result of Laurie’s work.”
The Executive Committee of S.C. Technical College System Foundation selects the award recipient from nominations submitted by colleges in the state technical college system. The award recipient receives a framed award and a check for $500.
Caption for attached photo: Trident Technical College Dean of Business Technology Laurie Boeding receives the A. Wade Martin Innovator of the Year Award from S.C. Technical College System President James Williamson.
