Laurie A. Boeding has been named president of the Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort, South Carolina. The college enrolls more than 2,400 students, two-thirds of whom are women. Dr. Boeding will assume her presidency on July 1.
With more than two decades of higher education experience, Dr. Boeding most recently served as vice president for academic affairs at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina. Earlier in her tenure there, she served as campus dean, academic dean, associate dean, and department chair. She is a current Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, a national leadership development program for community college presidents.
“I am honored to join the Technical College of the Lowcountry and serve the students, faculty, staff, and communities of Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties,” said Dr. Boeding. “TCL has a strong reputation for student success, workforce development, and community partnership. I look forward to building on that foundation, listening to the community, and working together to expand opportunities that strengthen lives, businesses, and the region’s economy.”
Dr. Boeding received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and her master’s degree in information systems management from the University of South Carolina. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Northeastern University in Boston.
Melissa Frank-Alston was named the next president of Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw, South Carolina. The institution enrolls more than 1,400 students, 70 percent of whom are women. Dr. Frank-Alston is expected to begin her presidency on July 1.
Dr. Frank-Alston has three decades of experience in higher education. She comes to her new role from Augusta Technical College in Georgia, where she has served in various senior administrative positions since 2005. Most recently, she was the college’s provost and institutional accreditation liaison. She also served as Augusta Technical’s interim president from April to December 2025.
“Accepting the presidency of Northeastern Technical College is both humbling and exciting. I believe deeply in the transformative power of education, and I am eager to serve alongside a dedicated team committed to student achievement and community impact,” said Dr. Frank-Alston. “I look forward to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community to enhance academic excellence, strengthen workforce partnerships, and ensure every student has the support they need to achieve their goals.”
Dr. Frank-Alston is a graduate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where she majored in anthropology. She holds a master’s degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in workforce education and development with an emphasis in training and human resources from Pennsylvania State University.