Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University announce dual enrollment academy

Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) and Clemson University announced a first-of-its-kind dual enrollment academy that provides qualified high school students a guaranteed path to earn their Clemson degree.

The TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy is targeted to high school students in the Anderson, Oconee and Pickens school districts whose parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree. Students will be recruited in their sophomore year of high school, and those admitted to the academy will take dual enrollment courses through TCTC at little to no cost. To be offered a guaranteed path to Clemson, participating students must meet all academic requirements and achieve a 3.0 or higher GPA in all college coursework and a 4.0 or higher GPA in all high school coursework.

The academy is expected to launch in spring 2026 with 25 students in the first cohort and increase incrementally each academic year to a maximum of 150 students per year. Students in the first cohort are expected to matriculate to Clemson in fall 2028.

“As a land-grant institution, Clemson is committed to providing access to education and ensuring that high-achieving students in our state have a clear, supported pathway to earning their degrees,“ said Clemson University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones. “The TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy aligns with the Clemson Elevate strategic plan by enhancing the student experience and transforming lives within South Carolina while building a skilled local workforce that attracts innovative job creators.”

In addition to rigorous college courses taught by TCTC’s credentialed college faculty and guaranteed admission to Clemson, the academy will provide a college admission and orientation session that prepares students for dual enrollment and their future college experience. TCTC and Clemson will also provide future-focused advising and career counseling centered on the student’s career goals and field of study and support services to aid the student’s learning and success. In addition, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to participate in community-building activities and attend workshops on financial literacy and FAFSA, navigating higher education, and understanding the unique needs of first-generation college students.

“Our goal is to ensure students achieve the best outcomes,” said Dr. Mandy Elmore, vice president of academic affairs and workforce development at TCTC. “For dual enrollment students, the best outcomes are courses count toward the student’s desired field of study, the student is ready for their future college experience, the student’s academic performance is better when they go to college, and the student completes college faster, thereby saving time and money. Tri-County has a long history of achieving these outcomes, and we are excited to partner with Clemson to make the dream of college a reality for more students in our region.”

TCTC has established participation agreements with all seven school districts in Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties. As part of the agreement, participating high schools will engage in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of qualified students and provide bus transportation for enrolled students to the nearest TCTC campus for in-person coursework.

“This partnership between Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University is an exciting opportunity to expand access to higher education for students across Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties,” said Dr. Danny Merck, superintendent of the School District of Pickens County. “By aligning resources and creating a clearly defined, affordable pathway to a Clemson degree, this initiative helps more students take the next step toward their college and career goals. We are grateful for the leadership of TCTC and Clemson in building this opportunity, and we are proud to join with them in ensuring that more students can access and thrive in postsecondary education. Together, we are building a stronger future for our communities.”

Students interested in TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy should contact their school’s guidance counselor to learn more.