Dear Chasers,

I trust that each of you were able to celebrate and individually immerse yourself in the inspiring spirit of the 4^th of July, and just as our nation commemorated its Declaration of Independence yesterday for the 247^th time, the proud Chasers of Spartanburg Community College are set to launch our 60^th fall semester and embrace the spirit of freedom and intellectual exploration that defines a unique pursuit of happiness that showcases both opportunity and prosperity.

Chasers believe in the transformative power of education, and as our Founding Fathers envisioned a brighter future for our country, we encourage all of our students, faculty, staff, and community members to dream fearlessly and seize the opportunities that exist at Spartanburg Community College -- a place where dreams take flight, where determination fuels success, and where the pursuit of knowledge opens doors to new horizons.

Recall the many fireworks that lit up the night sky last night and let those lights of wonder serve as a reminder of the sparks of brilliance within each of us.

Together, let us ignite the flame of curiosity, exploration, and growth that will continue to propel our community of learners to prosperous new heights where we support and inspire one another on our respective journeys to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It!

Go Chasers!

This past week I had the amazing opportunity to tour the White House with my family while on vacation in Washington, D.C.

As I walked through the halls where many momentous decisions in our nation’s history were made, my thoughts centered around the heroic and noble actions taken by our Founding Fathers on July 4th, 1776, in declaring our independence from Britain and launching the great American experiment in republican democracy.

The unique concept that all men are created equal and are endowed with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has inspired not just the fundamental underpinnings of our own nation; more than half of the 193 countries represented at the United Nations have foundational documents rooted in the inspiration of the Fourth of July.

At Spartanburg Community College, the very core of our mission is to empower individuals to chase and live out their dreams – a mission that is only possible thanks to the brave efforts of leaders who 247 years ago had the courage to stand against the world’s greatest empire and defy the status quo.

-Dr. Mikota

At our June Commission meeting, our esteemed Chairman, Mr. Sonny Anderson, was recognized for his service as Chairman for the past four years. 

His leadership in this critical role has been historically noteworthy as the College has seen unparalleled growth as the fastest growing higher education institution in South Carolina in at least the past 20 years. 

His service will forever be linked to the new motto of the SCC Chasers that empowers thousands to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It!

-Dr. Mikota

Spartanburg Community College's nursing program grants students the opportunity to become a Registered Nurse without the need for a bachelor's degree.

Break free from conventional beliefs and seize the opportunity to chase your dreams of entering the thriving healthcare sector today! Click the image above to learn more about our nursing program.

An information session for the new Diesel Power and Emerging Technologies program was held last Monday afternoon at our Cherokee County Campus.

Prospective students were able to check out the classroom and lab space, meet the new instructor, and see the heavy equipment they will learn to work on when the program starts this fall!

Check out the video below where Diesel Power instructor, Josh Mauldin, discusses the uniqueness of the program and explains potential career pathways for students.

30 school counselors from Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties participated in the 2023 Counselor Outreach Week (June 5-8) with the SCC Outreach Department. 

School Counselors learned about our programs and services, toured our campuses, and visited industry partners to better understand the rewarding careers our programs equip students to pursue.

Dr. Annette Guy, SCC's new Dean of Nursing, and Practical Nursing Program Director, Beth Johnson, recently appeared before the South Carolina Board of Nursing's Advisory Board on Nursing Education and secured approval for the program to accept 100 additional students, to be split evenly between Fall 2023 and Spring 2023.

Congratulations on the job well done!

Lerkeshia Littlejohn has been recognized as United Way of the Piedmont’s Piedmont AmeriCorps Most Outstanding Member for the Year 2022-2023, for her service at the SCC Chaser Food Pantry.

Through the pantry, Keshia provides basic nutritional food to students who are experiencing food insecurity and connects those in need with additional resources on and off campus that promote overall well-being.

Faculty, staff, and students often remark on Keshia’s exceptional level of knowledge and the outstanding customer service that she provides.

In addition to serving at the pantry, Keisha is also enrolled in the Administrative Office Technology program at SCC and is a participant in TRIO Student Support Services, where she volunteers as a peer mentor.

Congratulations, Lerkeshia!

SCC was recently awarded a $100,000 grant through Johnson Controls’ Community College Partnership Program that will be invested in training and educational opportunities for the College’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program.

"We are excited to be one of only ten community colleges nationwide to partner with Johnson Controls to excel in meeting our mission to train the next generation of HVAC technicians. This funding will significantly enhance our training capacity and provide state-of-the-art technology that will be coupled with mentorship from industry professionals. Our students, our communities and our economy will be stronger because of this forward-thinking investment by Johnson Controls.” - Dr. Mikota

Our newly expanded HVAC program is custom designed to train our Chasers on how to keep our communities cool when the days turn hot during the long days of summer here in the Upstate of South Carolina!

Check out the video below that showcases our innovative HVAC program.

Our Spark Center, which has had a $39.6 billion impact to the economy of South Carolina since 2007, will be the temporary home of the latest company to launch operations in Spartanburg County, Hammer-IMS.

This company's innovative technology is exciting, and we look forward to supporting their growth. Learn more about Hammer-IMS at the link below:

https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/square-feet/belgium-based-hammer-ims-to-establish-spartanburg-county-operations/

It's my pleasure to invite you to join me on my Facebook page!

This is where you'll find the latest news and updates from our college community, including exciting events, inspiring stories, and important announcements.

By following my page, you'll stay connected to the heartbeat of our institution and have a front-row seat to all the amazing things happening here.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to engage with me on social media - hit that 'Follow' button today and join the conversation!

https://www.facebook.com/DrMichaelMikota

Spartanburg Community College (SCC) is proud to feature Charlene Cheeks, an esteemed alumna who exemplifies the transformative power of education.

Graduating in 2002, Charlene's associate degree from SCC laid the foundation for her extraordinary journey. Today, as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, she leads a dedicated team that fosters impactful mentoring relationships, shaping the lives of young individuals.

Click the button below to read more about Charlene Cheeks and how her SCC experience shaped her path to success. Discover the lasting impact of SCC's education and be inspired to Dream It, Chase It, Live It!

Thank you for your support of Spartanburg Community College and our mission to drive prosperity and improved quality of life factors across Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties and beyond.

Please click here to visit the website of the SCC Foundation to learn more about the various ways you can empower our communities to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It!

About Spartanburg Community College.

Strategically located across one of the most economically vibrant regions in the United States, Spartanburg Community College (SCC), home of the proud Chasers, is driving the economy forward while empowering thousands of students to Dream it, Chase it, and Live it.

Founded in 1963, SCC is South Carolina’s fastest growing public college and prides itself in providing unrivaled access to transformational experiences. Learn how you can begin to chase your dreams online or at five beautifully manicured campuses, encompassing 245 acres punctuated by over one million square feet of state-of-the-art facilities.

Join the chase at www.sccsc.edu.