Dear Chasers,

As we experience the celestial winter solstice this week on December 21, I can’t help but consider the fact that starting on December 22 we will slowly move forward together with ever increasing hours of sunlight. I find that it is an illuminating promise both literally and symbolically as we anticipate the enlightened triumphs that await us in 2024.

As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past twelve months, I am reminded of the incredible talent and passion that defines our College community. Each and every Chaser, from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the many stakeholders that support and invest in our College, played a vital role in shaping the successes we realized in 2023.

Now, we stand on the precipice of a new year, brimming with the promise of continued growth and achievement, and I look forward to working with each of you to make 2024 the brightest year yet for the proud Chasers of Spartanburg Community College.

May the holiday season bring joy and warmth to you and your loved ones, and may the start of the new year encourage each of us to strike the spark that will light the next chapter of our shared journey together. 

Go Chasers!

"On December 11th it was a wonderful opportunity for me to share with Spartanburg County Council how SCC is leading efforts to empower our region through education and workforce development." - Dr. Mikota

SCC's Nursing Pinning Ceremony took place on the afternoon of December 8. This special event marks a significant milestone for our nursing graduates, symbolizing the culmination of their rigorous academic journey and the beginning of their impactful careers in healthcare.

The night before, SCC witnessed another joyous and historic occasion as we celebrated the College's first pinning ceremony for our new Licensed Practical Nursing program at our Cherokee County Campus.

In this first cohort, 17 individuals earned their pin and we anticipate many more joining them in the near term. The newly founded program received approval from the South Carolina Board of Nursing to expand to serve 100 students each year and night and weekend classes will commence in the spring.

A tradition was initiated this year at SCC where Dr. Mikota meets with the College's most recent new hires over a cup of coffee to share the vision for the future and get to know them.

Please welcome the following new Chasers to Spartanburg Community College.

Cameron Vaughn - Accounting Instructor

Tonya Palmer - Nursing Instructor

Phaedra Harris - Director of Human Resources

Mark Gunnells - Assistant Manager, Course and Print Materials

William Binion - Mechatronics Instructor

At a time when pharmacy technicians are in high demand, SCC is proud to report that its recent slate of Advanced Pharmacy Technician program graduates have all passed their national certification exam!

What's more, one grad -- Kendra Person (pictured standing middle-left) -- notched a perfect score! Congratulations!

Spartanburg County Early College High School (SCECHS) Senior, Katlyn Short has received a full four-year scholarship to Swathmore College in Pennsylvania thanks to the QuestBridge Match Scholarship Program. 

The QuestBridge National College Match Program connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full scholarships to 50 of the nation’s best colleges. 

Out of over 20,800 applicants, Katlyn Short is one of only 2,242 students nationwide to receive the scholarship. Congratulations, Katlyn! 

On December 8th, SCC celebrated the remarkable years of service from some of our exceptional faculty and staff. Service awards and pins were presented to the following individuals celebrating milestone achievements, ranging from 10-40 years of service to SCC and the State of South Carolina! 

We are so grateful for the hard work and unwavering commitment of these individuals in shaping the success of our students. Please extend your congratulations to those celebrating this accomplishment! 

The following individuals were voted by their peers to be SCC's recipients of the 2024 SCTEA Educator of the Year Awards: 

Jan Kehm - Faculty of the Year

Bryana Atkinson - Staff of the Year

Dr. Jenny Williams - Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to these amazing individuals! Each person selected will receive a certificate and cash award at the SCTEA Conference in February.

The South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) was established in 1974 and consists of members from each of the state’s sixteen technical colleges and the State System Office.

The Educator of the Year Awards provide recognition for outstanding service and achievement in the categories of faculty/teaching, staff, and administrator/manager in the South Carolina Technical College System.

Savanna James, SCC's Chief Marketing & Brand Strategy Manager, was recently recognized as one of the “Top 12 Most Influential in the Southeast” United States, being nominated and voted on by a committee from across the country, including private business sector leaders, government officials, and public figures. 

Standing among leaders in diverse fields, passionate advocates, and inspirational figures, Savanna (pictured at left in the image below) represented South Carolina and Spartanburg Community College at the awards ceremony in Atlanta, GA.

This year, SCC launched Chaser’s Giving Tree, a unique Christmas program designed to spread joy throughout our community. Participants, including faculty, staff, students, and local community members, selected a tag from a tree, each containing a Christmas wish list for a child from a family utilizing our on-campus food pantry.

To complement this initiative, we received generous food donations from Food Lion and Publix, including turkeys and hams, which will be distributed to the families along with the gifts. Additionally, SCC has adorned twelve Christmas trees, with various departments adopting one to decorate. These beautifully adorned trees will be gifted to the families as a festive addition to their holiday celebrations.

In total, 39 faculty and staff, three students, two alumni, and one church joined forces to provide gifts for 55 children, ensuring they have a memorable Christmas.

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.