April 18, 2025 | Stay Connected, Stay Informed | | NETC Student Michelle Tucker Earns Statewide Academic Honor | | NETC's Phi Theta Kappa SC All State Academic award recipient Michelle Tucker was recognized at a special ceremony April 10 in Columbia. Members of the college's administrative team were there to support her. | | |
Michelle Tucker of Mount Croghan has been named to the Phi Theta Kappa South Carolina All-State Academic Team. Recognized alongside 41 of the state’s top-performing technical college students, Tucker was honored during a special ceremony held April 10 in Columbia, SC.
As a first-generation college student and member of Northeastern Technical College’s inaugural Massage Therapy cohort, Tucker is on track to graduate with her certification this May, all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. But her journey has been far from easy—and that’s exactly what makes her achievement so remarkable.
“One challenge I encountered as a mature college student was balancing my academic responsibilities with my roles as a wife and mother,” Tucker shared. “Juggling coursework, attending classes, and managing household duties required exceptional time management and organizational skills.
Adding to the challenge is Michelle’s hearing impairment—she relies on hearing aids and has had to adapt in ways her classmates haven’t had to consider. But instead of letting that slow her down, it’s only made her more resilient.
“I am so proud of Michelle, she exemplifies what it means to be a massage therapist,” said Massage Therapy Instructor Janet Copelle. “It takes three things to be great— caring hands, knowledge about the body and a big heart. Michelle has all three of these attributes. She will be an awesome asset to this profession and the people she gets to help in her community.”
Each year, technical college presidents nominate students to the All-State Academic Team based on academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
“I am incredibly proud of Michelle for earning this recognition. Her hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence is truly inspiring. This honor with Phi Theta Kappa reflects not only her academic abilities, but also her character and passion for learning,” said PTK Advisor Leigh Ziebell. “Getting to know her as a student and a friend has been a privilege. She brings kindness and determination to everything she does, and I'm excited to see where her journey takes her next.”
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Tucker’s leadership goes beyond the classroom. She volunteers with her church CREW (Cross Road’s Equipped Women), who assist in community projects each month. Michelle also donates her time to the county animal shelter and volunteers at a local elementary school to give teachers a much-needed break during lunch and recess.
“I chose massage therapy because I have a deep passion for helping people improve their well-being,” she explained. “It’s not just about relieving pain—it’s about treating the whole person. I love that I get to make a real difference in someone’s day, every single day.”
Tucker’s long-term goal is to open her own massage therapy practice and mentor others entering the field.
“I want to use my experiences to uplift others,” she said. “Whether it’s through healing hands or a listening ear, I believe in helping people feel seen, supported, and cared for.”
As she prepares to graduate this spring, Tucker reflects on how far she’s come—and what’s ahead.
“Sometimes the road is hard, especially when you’re balancing so much,” she said. “But if you stay focused, ask for help when you need it, and keep your heart in the right place, you can do incredible things.”
| | Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1918 to emphasize and recognize academic excellence in two-year colleges. Today, it is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada and Germany. | | Two Marlboro County Seniors to Join NETC Trailblazer Cross Country Team | | |
Marlboro County High School Seniors Awan Martin and Brandon Bridges have recently committed to Northeastern Technical College and will be joining the NETC Trailblazer Cross Country team with competitions beginning in Fall 2025.
Northeastern Technical College launched its NJCAA cross country program in Fall 2021 and is currently under the guidance of Coach Benny Morgan. To be eligible to compete, students must be a high school graduate, enrolled in 12 credit hours or more, and must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
| | | Supporting Moms & Raising Awareness | | |
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, in partnership with McLeod Nurse Family Partnership, hosted Mom’s Morning Out on Friday, April 11 in Bennettsville, SC.
Northeastern Technical College representative Leigh Ziebell was at the event to help provide information to participants about short term workforce certificate programs, college funding, the application process to both expectant and new mothers.
The event provided vital information, a sense of community, self-care, and encouragement - reminding moms that they are never alone on their journey.
| | Student Activities coordinator Leigh Ziebell set up an NETC information booth for Mom's Morning Out Attendees. | | |
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...
HS Seniors Commit to NETC for Fall 2025
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Enrollment Specialists from Northeastern Technical College are visiting high schools throughout the service area for College Decision Days, with students committing to attend NETC in Fall 2025. Shown above is Central High School Senior Daniel Williams with Sierra Ford from NETC's Enrollment Center.
Future NETC Decision Days will be held at Marlboro County High School on May 1 and Dillon High School on May 16.
| | NETC Leads National Conversation on Innovation in Education with 'EduFusion' Strategy at AACC 2025 | | |
Northeastern Technical College President, Dr. Kyle Wagner, Vice President of Academics, Dr. Derk Reichers and NETC Area Commission Chairman, Herbert Gould recently attended the AACC 2025 Conference in Nashville, TN.
At the conference, NETC presented on the topic EduFusion: Integrating
Grants, Values & Outcomes for Success which demonstrated a new innovative strategy called "EduFusion," which integrates various grant programs, College-Wide Learning Outcomes (CWLOs), and institutional Core Values to enhance student development and community engagement.
This presentation explored how NETC utilizes the Process of Education Chart as a roadmap through the 21 phases of the student journey, aligning resources like the SCC3 Grant, NSF-ATE TEAM Project, and CARES Title Ill Grant to provide tailored support services. Attendees learned how each grant corresponds with CWLO's such as critical thinking, communication, and social responsibility, all while embedding NETC's Core Values of Innovation, Quality Focus, Positive Attitude, Collaboration, and Accountability-into these initiatives.
"This wasn’t just a presentation—it was a moment to represent the incredible work happening at Northeastern Technical College, elevate the voices of our students, and contribute to a national dialogue on what’s next in education at the American Association of Community Colleges Conference," said Reichers. "Here’s to staying at the table where innovation happens—and pulling up extra chairs."
| | Make Your Nominations and Support Your NETC Team Members! | | |
Nominations are now open for Northeastern Technical College's Faculty, Staff, and Administrator of the Semester! NETC employees can help the college celebrate those who go above and beyond to serve our students while exemplifying our core values.
This semester the nomination form has been updated to better capture the exceptional achievements of our colleagues for Spring 2025. This includes a new section asking how the nominees excels in areas related to our Core Values of Quality, Collaboration, Positive Attitude, Communication, Innovation, and Accountability.
Employees nominate more than one employee in a category by completing a separate form per nominee. Nominations must be made before Noon on April 30.
Please look for an Email from HR sent earlier this week with the link to the Nomination Form.
| | Registration Is Open for Summer Term | | |
With longer days and warmer weather on the way, Northeastern Technical College is preparing for the upcoming summer semester. Offering flexible start dates and a wide range of classes, NETC provides students with opportunities to catch up, get ahead, and make the most of their summer.
The semester officially begins on May 19 and runs through August 3. However, Northeastern offers several short summer sessions—including 5, 7.5, and 10-week terms—with classes starting in May and June. The multiple term options, make it easy to fit college into any schedule.
May 19 – First 5-week term and 10-week term begin
June 2 – First 7.5-week term begins
June 23 – Second 5-week term begins
Classes will be on available both on campus, and online. The schedule includes many courses approved for transfer to 4-year universities, which is perfect for students returning home for the summer, or recent high school graduates looking to get a head start and save on their 4-year degree. NETC also has a number of workforce programs on the schedule, these are designed to provide students with the skills for high-demand, and high-paying jobs in the community.
For the most up-to-date listing of open classes, view the class schedule online by clicking the button below.
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As an NETC employee, you and your immediate household members have unlimited access to free, confidential help with personal or work-related concerns, referrals to other sources for assistance, and 24-hour emergency coverage. Use the link below or call 1-800-633-3353 to access your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services.
The EAP is designed to help with all kinds of life situations including, but not limited to, Marital difficulties, Family problems, Parenting, Stress, Balancing work and family, Relationship issues, Work-related concerns, Depression, Alcohol and drug use/abuse, Grief and loss, Elder care, Healthy living, Crisis events, and preventative care.
| | | April 18 | College Closed | | April 29 & April 30 | Waste Water Recertification Classes
8am-3pm | Call 800-921-7399 | | April 30 | Denim Day
Wear Jeans | 12 noon Photo Op | | May 1 | Allied Health Open House
Dillon Campus | | May 8 | ADN Nurse Pinning Ceremony
6 pm | | May 9 | College Closed
Confederate Memorial Day | | May 14 | Industry Credentials Recognition
6 pm | Cheraw Campus | | May 15 | Spring Commencement Ceremony
6 pm | Cheraw Campus | | | BECOME A NETC TRAILBLAZER! | | SHOP NETC MERCH & APPAREL | |
Need a lift?
PDRTA offers public transportation routes Cheraw, Dillon,
and Marlboro County. Buses routinely stop at NETC Cheraw Campus.
Find your Route!
| | | CHERAW CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION MAP | | |
Construction will create changes to entries,
walkways and parking on the Cheraw Campus.
Access into the college campus is being restricted to entry through the 200 Building (Hampton Hall) for ALL STUDENTS, and 100 Building (Ingram Hall) for all Employees and Visitors. The Northeastern Technical College quad is accessible from all buildings.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Northeastern Technical College provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, - including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.
Find Your Career Here!
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NORTHEASTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
1201 Chesterfield Highway Cheraw, SC 29520
www.netc.edu (843) 921-6900
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