Dr. Mary Thornley has been president of Trident Technical College since 1991. She 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. 

Thornley has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Southeast Region Chief Executive Officer Award from the Association of Community College Trustees, Martha Kime Piper Female Executive Award, Trident United Way Women’s Leadership Award, Special Award Recognizing 10 Years of Economic Development Leadership from the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, the Service and Leadership Award for Promoting Access and Equity in Higher Education from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Vision Award, the Septima P. Clark Charleston Branch NAACP Education Award, Association of Community College Trustees Charles Kennedy National Equity Award, and Trident Literacy Association Founder’s Day Award.