DeHay Named New President of Tri-County Tech

Galen DeHay, the senior vice president on Tri-County Technical College’s executive leadership team, was named the school’s next president today. 

DeHay, the college’s former science department head, has served as senior vice president for the past four years, will succeed Dr. Ronnie L. Booth, who retire in June after 16 years in the office.  

The Presidential Search Committee conducted a national search over the past several months and conducted interviews with DeHay and two other candidates in late March. 

DeHay will assume his duties as president July.

“This is a very important decision – and it was a tough decision,” said Commission Chairman John Powell.  “We were blessed to have three excellent candidates who could serve as president of any college.  We are offering the position to Galen DeHay.  He exhibited superior competencies as the Commission went through the lengthy interview process; he is young, he has a lot of ambition and he has a great attitude.  Dr. Booth put Tri-County at the top.  Galen wants to take us over the top.”

DeHay acknowledged his admiration for Dr. Booth, whom he calls a mentor.

 “Tri-County is a high-performing institution and we will build on our successes, with a focus on student success and economic mobility --  helping individuals grow in their careers and in life,” DeHay said. “We will build on the College’s prior successes in the areas of helping students to be successful and continuing to be an asset for economic development.  I want to help students to realize their potential.  When they do that, then that is our success. I also want to help business and industry to be successful and focus on economic mobility while creating stronger, more intentional partnerships with them.  Specifically, I would like to see the College continue to expand its economic and workforce development mission as we continue to improve workforce opportunities for our communities.”

As senior vice president, DeHay has provided leadership for all academic, student support, enrollment and workforce development functions of the College, including Academic Affairs, Student Support and Engagement, College Transitions, Marketing, Research and Evaluation and Integrated Workforce Solutions.   

The Central resident holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Clemson University and is a Dissertation Candidate toward a Ph.D. from Clemson University.

Prior to joining Tri-County’s faculty, he was a teaching assistant for anatomy and physiology at Clemson.