Dr. Mary Thornley has been president of Trident Technical College since 1991. She truly believes in the transformational power of education and is passionate about the community college’s role in making our communities and our nation stronger, more adaptable, and better able to face the challenges of the future.

Dr. Thornley holds a doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Carolina; a master of arts in teaching English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and a bachelor of arts in English and French from Mars Hill College, North Carolina.

Dr. Thornley has received numerous awards and recognitions, including those provided below.

Leadership in Access and Equity
South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners Equity Award (2020)
South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners Equity Award (2019)
TTC MLK Humanitarian Award (2017)
Association of Community College Trustees Charles Kennedy National Equity Award (2017)
Association of Community College Trustees Southern Region Equity Award (2017)
South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners Equity Award (2017)
South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners Equity Award (2016)
Charleston Branch NAACP Septima P. Clark Education Award (2015)
The Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative (2015) (As a result of this Riley Leadership Diversity class, TTC now offers ten $1,000 scholarships annually to North Charleston High School seniors to attend Trident Tech.)
Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Vision Award (2014)
Service and Leadership Award for Promoting Access and Equity in South Carolina Higher Education from the SC Professional Association for Access and Equity (2003)
Septima Poinsette Clark Award for Excellence in Education from the Trident Urban League (2002)

Leadership in Economic Development
Charleston Business Magazine’s 50 Most Influential (2016 and 2017)
The Citadel School of Business Leader of Principal Award and Hall of Fame induction (2014)
Charleston Regional Business Journal Influential Women in Business (2014)
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 1773 Educational Services Award to Trident Technical College (2011)
Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce (2005)
ThinkTEC Outstanding Leadership in Advancing the Knowledge Based Industry in the Region Award (2009)
Special Award Recognizing 10 years of Economic Development Leadership from the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (2006)

Leadership in Educational Opportunity
South Carolina Order of the Palmetto (2020)
Trident Literacy Association Founder’s Day Award (2018)
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from College of Charleston (2013)
Trident United Way Women’s Leadership Award (2011)
Free Enterprise Foundation’s Ethics and Civic Responsibility Award (Citadel) (2010)
Southern Regional Chief Executive Officer Award from the Association of Community College Trustees (2009)
Association of Community College Trustees Southern Regional Chief Executive Officer Award (2009)
Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction from Phi Theta Kappa (2004)
Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration from the Citadel (2002)
Martha Kime Piper Award from South Carolina Women in Higher Education Administration (an ACE affiliate) for Outstanding Contributions to Advancing Women in Higher Education (1992)