Education News
Hilton Head High mourns passing of longtime athletic director
Hilton Head Island High School is mourning the loss of longtime Athletic Director Joe Monmonier, who passed away earlier this month. Monmonier served the school for more than 20 years, first as a special education teacher and lacrosse coach, and later as athletic director for the past 13 years.
In a message to families, Principal Steve Schidrich described Monmonier as “a true champion for our Seahawk community” and “a mentor and role model for athletic directors across the state of South Carolina.” School officials credited his leadership with helping to shape the school’s athletic culture and build a legacy of excellence.
End of Summer 5K to support Heritage Academy scholarship
Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to take part in the Hilton Head End of Summer 5K on Saturday, Aug. 30th. The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Sea Pines Beach Club and winds through scenic beachfront on the island’s south end.
The event is open to families and individuals of all fitness levels. Proceeds will benefit the Heritage Academy College Scholarship, helping support local students pursuing higher education.
For more information or to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/SC/HiltonHeadIsland/HiltonHeadBIGFish5K
TCL receives continued federal funding worth more than $1.7 million for student success program
The Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Student Support Services program (SSS) has been awarded a five-year grant worth over $1.7 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Education.
Part of “TRIO” – a group of federally funded programs designed to increase the retention and completion rates of first-generation, income-eligible and differently-abled college students – TCL’s SSS program commits to serving 160 students annually.
“The Technical College of the Lowcountry is pleased to continue to receive this funding since TRIO programs have been shown to directly impact the overall success and retention rates of eligible students,” said TCL President Dr. Richard Gough. “Many of our students are first-generation and through SSS have gone on to achieve their academic goals and start successful careers.”
The grant operates on a five-year award cycle and was last awarded in 2020. The first installment of $348,537 will go toward SSS’s 2025-2026 program year with additional funding expected to total approximately $1,742,685 over the life of the grant.
TCL has participated in the federal program for over a decade, with a strong record of student-centered impact and institutional commitment, said Starr Hayes, TCL’s TRIO SSS program director.
“This funding reaffirms the vital work we are doing to help students overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals,” she said.
Through SSS, students have access to academic and personal coaching, college transfer assistance and critical economic and financial literacy skills.
“TCL’s program has consistently exceeded federal expectations in persistence, good academic standing and graduation/transfer rates,” Hayes said. “By participating in the program, students are not only increasing their chances of success here at TCL or elsewhere, they are also adding to the local economy and that’s a win-win for everyone.”
To learn more about TRIO SSS at TCL, visit www.tcl.edu/sss.
The Technical College of the Lowcountry is the region’s primary provider of higher education and workforce training. The public, two-year, multi-campus community college serves approximately 5,000 students annually. TCL has campuses in Beaufort, Bluffton and Hampton and serves Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. For more information visit www.tcl.edu.
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