Dear Chasers,

William Arthur Ward was a motivational writer known for many inspiring quotations, and one of those thoughtful citations springs to mind during this time just before our Thanksgiving Holiday: 

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."

Later this week many people will celebrate their time together with warm pecan pies and delicious hunks of turkey slathered in gravy. Many will host loved ones and share time together watching football and sharing stories of days gone by. But, during this season let us take a few moments to reflect on the all-important reason we celebrate on this upcoming Thursday: we are all very thankful for the many blessings we have received. 

Personally, I am immensely thankful for my family, my friends, and good health. I am also especially thankful that this year my birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day! Yet, with all of the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me, my heart swells with a unique gratitude for Spartanburg Community College and the incredible individuals that comprise our community -- students, faculty, and staff alike.

While a typical day at SCC may seem routine for many of us, we must recognize its potential to be a catalyst for transformative blessings in the lives of our students. What may appear as an ordinary workday for us has the power to be a turning point for someone seeking an opportunity that could shape their future in profound ways.

So, as we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, let us carry this spirit of gratitude, acknowledging the extraordinary impact each day that SCC can have on the lives of those we serve. May our thankfulness extend beyond the holiday, fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition for the countless opportunities we create together.

Go Chasers!

In a year marked by numerous accolades, Spartanburg Community College has been voted "Best Place to Work" and "Best Continuing Education Institution" in The Post & Courier Spartanburg's annual Reader's Choice contest.

"Spartanburg Community College is honored to have won two awards from The Post & Courier Spartanburg's Reader's Choice contest. This recognition reveals the trust and appreciation of the communities we serve, and I am incredibly grateful for the many amazing faculty, staff, and students who made this and all our accomplishments possible,” said Dr Michael Mikota, president of SCC. "The awards we have received this year not only highlight the College's exceptional contributions to the educational landscape but also reflect the strong bond we share with the Spartanburg community and beyond. Go, Chasers!"

This achievement is not the first earned this year by SCC. In August the College was named best college/university by readers of the Spartanburg Herald Journal; no small feat in a town with seven institutions of higher education. 

Additionally, SCC was named South Carolina’s best community college for the third year in a row by BestColleges, one of the best community colleges in South Carolina by Intelligent.com, and one of the best associate degree colleges in the state by UniversityHQ.

On November 2, Spartanburg Community College marked a special milestone in our history as we celebrated two incredible years with Chaser the Border Collie, our first official mascot!

The festivities unfolded in the heart of our Giles Campus at the Student Hub, where an atmosphere of joy, camaraderie, and endless cupcakes filled the air.

The celebration of Chaser as our official mascot reminds us of her legacy and the inspiration she has kindled in us all. The SCC Chasers represent more than just mascot; we are a symbol of resilience, intelligence, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Click here to view photos from Chaser's Birthday Bash!

Students at our Cherokee County Campus will soon be able to earn their Advanced Welding Certificate without the need to commute to the Giles Campus in Spartanburg thanks to a $20,000 grant provided by the Duke Energy Foundation.

The grant, received by the SCC Foundation, will help the College acquire essential safety equipment and a structure designed to facilitate hands-on practice real-world welding scenarios.

Knowledge of safe welding practices and real-world training scenarios are critical to mastering advanced welding techniques. The programmatic expansion and enhancement made possible through this grant will quickly increase the number of qualified welders in Cherokee County.

The Spartanburg Community College Foundation recently announced that, through the generosity of Saunders McCollum, a new endowed fund will be established to significantly enhance the educational experience and success of students at the College.

The establishment of the Wardlaw-McCollum Chaser Success Fund will promote the removal of barriers to student success by directly funding learning and training materials for students enrolled and in good academic standing at the College. Learning materials can include textbooks and other required materials such as safety equipment and study aids as defined by the SCC Foundation in response to the specific needs of students. 

The SCC Foundation invites other philanthropists, community partners, and businesses to consider joining the effort to empower students through the Wardlaw-McCollum Chaser Success Fund. Every contribution, no matter the size, will contribute to a brighter future for our students.

At Spartanburg Community College, we take immense pride in fostering a supportive environment for all our students, particularly those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

As an institution committed to breaking down barriers, we celebrate the resilience and determination of our first-generation students. Their unique journeys inspire us, and their successes are a testament to the transformative power of education.

I invite you to hear directly from some of these remarkable individuals in this special video where they share their experiences as first-gen students at SCC.

Your support makes a difference, and by watching their stories, you contribute to a community that champions opportunity for all.

-Dr. Mikota

On Friday, November 3rd, SCC TRIO Director Irran Duncan was awarded the 2023 SC TRIO Randall McNeal Spirit of TRIO Award at the SC TRIO Fall Conference. 

The award is bestowed upon individuals who go above and beyond their basic job description, offering extraordinary service while embodying their institution's values of integrity, diversity, excellence, collaboration, innovation, and respect.

Recipients demonstrate these values by providing consistently superior service within their TRIO program, actively contributing to a respectful, diverse, and collaborative work environment. They exhibit exceptional resourcefulness, innovation, or creativity and uphold excellence and integrity in workplace and community relationships.

Through their interactions, they actively promote the visibility and efficacy of TRIO Programs. Congratulations, Irran!

The tradition of new employees meeting with Dr. Mikota for a cup of coffee continued on a recent Friday morning, only this time they were joined by a special guest: Pilley Bianchi, daughter of Dr. John Pilley – owner of Chaser, and Ingrid Norris of the Chaser Initiative! 

Coffee with the President Participants: 

Carrie Smith, HR Generalist 

Olivia Wideman, Talent Acquisition Coordinator 

Caroline Gregory, Marketing Administrative Coordinator 

Carlie Barth, Creative Design Specialist

On November 30, you are invited to join the SCC community for an evening filled with traditional, pop, and seasonal music performed by the SCC Chorus.

A reception will follow. 

Tess Russell initially faced uncertainty about her career path after high school. Juggling full-time work to make ends meet, she sought a flexible and affordable educational option, leading her to SCC.

"I started at SCC with no clear career path, paying for college on my own," Tess shares. SCC's diverse class offerings allowed her to explore various fields at one of the lowest costs in the state, helping her uncover her passion for American Sign Language (ASL).

SCC laid the foundation for Tess's success as a Sign Language Interpreter. Recognized as SCC's Fine Arts Student of the Year, she graduated in 2015 with an associate of arts in ASL. She then transferred to USC-Upstate, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

During her time at USC-Upstate, Tess coordinated a workshop bridging cultural gaps in health communications for deaf individuals. Her subsequent research earned her the Community Access Advocacy Award and recognition as the top public relations student.

Graduating summa cum laude in 2017, Tess continued her academic journey, completing a Bachelor of Science in Education from Valdosta State University in 2022. Today, she passionately serves as an Educational Sign Language Interpreter in the Cobb County School District, Atlanta, Georgia.

Reflecting on her journey, Tess advises potential SCC students to commit fully: "SCC is a welcoming school with a team that wants to see you succeed. It's the perfect place to start your educational journey, offering flexibility and unique majors to help you discover your passion."

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.