Dear Chasers,

At Spartanburg Community College, we are captivated by the power of knowledge, the spark of innovation, and the limitless potential of our proud Chasers. Every day, we witness the transformation of lives, the awakening of dreams, and the progression of new steps towards bright horizons. 

The Honorable Rita Allison shared remarks at the recent celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Rita Allison Learning Center that further kindled the fire of passion that our proud Chasers exemplify. 

She stated: “As I have traveled the state of South Carolina, involved in education…I have watched generations come through Spartanburg Community College and have seen the success the College has had. Thanks to SCC, students are able to improve not only the quality of their own life, but also the quality of this state and the world we live in.”

Our steadfast mission to nurture minds, cultivate talents, and empower our community is stronger than ever, and indeed, the world needs our Chasers to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It!  

Go Chasers!

The sun was shining, laughter echoed through the air, and the excitement was palpable at the 2023 SCC Fall Festival, which took place on Saturday, October 21, at Spartanburg Community College's Giles Campus. For those who couldn't join us, let's take a moment to recap the unforgettable day of celebration, learning, and community.

Prospective students and guests had the unique opportunity to try their hand at advanced manufacturing technologies, including welding simulators, a table-top CNC machine, and even robotics programming. The future of industry and innovation was at their fingertips.

The festival also provided a unique shopping experience, with more than twenty vendors, including several SCC alumni, offering a diverse array of treats, baked goods, arts and crafts, skincare products, and more. It was a celebration of local talent and creativity.

As guests explored the campus, shopped with vendors, and indulged in tasty treats, the festival's live music added a captivating soundtrack to the day. 

The 2023 SCC Fall Festival was a day of community, connection, and celebration, showcasing the diverse talents and opportunities that SCC offers. For those who joined us, we hope you had a fantastic time, and for those who couldn't make it, we can't wait to share these experiences with you in the future.

Until then, keep dreaming, chasing, and living the Spartanburg Community College spirit!

Check out the photos from the SCC Fall Festival here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sccsc/albums/72177720312156004

October 18 marked the joyous celebration of the Rita Allison Learning Center (TLC) as it reached its 20th anniversary milestone. We were deeply honored to have in attendance Representative Rita Allison, as well as past and current staff, students, leadership, and faculty, joining us in this momentous occasion.

TLC presently serves approximately 400 students every week, offering a secure and supportive environment for all Chasers. Their mission is to meet students at their individual points of need while also continuously striving to introduce pioneering services.

In the words of Representative Allison, "Through this (TLC), students are able to bring about their own quality of life and are able to contribute, not only to this school, to this state, but to the world that we live in."

It's a lifetime privilege for SCC to witness generations passing through and transforming their lives. Here's to another 20 years of helping students grow and learn!

Spartanburg Community College's Automotive Department had the honor to host Cherokee County’s Institute of Innovation (i2), Instructor Tony Smith, and their Auto Tech students recently to learn more about SCC and our innovative programs.

With the help of the Outreach Team, Sara Neil-Spencer and Sherri Buckner, students learned about the great things SCC offers and how easy it can be to apply to the College. The outreach team shared a new way of learning that could be a part of future teaching techniques.

zSpace is a VR based computer that offers a new way for students to learn by allowing them to move, dissect, blow up, or change the 3D models. zSpace can help students understand typical hard to grasp concepts by giving them the freedom to be interactive. 

The Automotive team shared the different paths available through the Ford ASSET program and General Automotive program, and shared how companies like Ford are providing these same types of learning into their own curriculum for technicians.

Technicians are now being trained with VR headsets to immerse yourself in a virtual shop with a vehicle, tools, and instructions -- very important lessons to learn when it comes to the electrification of the automotive industry. Dealing with high voltages that can be hazardous is not ideal but being properly trained and allowed to be “around” these HV systems in a virtual environment eliminates the risk. i2 Students also got to see a full electric vehicle, our new Volvo C40, and see how it charges from your typical wall socket. 

Student from the Institute of Innovation tries out SCC's VR-based instructional technology. 

You will be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of The Weekly Wag -- Spartanburg Community College's student newsletter -- than me!

I recently sat down with The Weekly Wag for an interview; Check it out above!

-Dr. Mikota

On the return of one of my favorite days of the year, I traded my customary suit and tie for an apron and joined our Student Government Association president behind the griddle to fuel our students for success one pancake at a time!

Pancakes with the President is a cherished tradition, and it's days like these that make being part of Spartanburg Community College so special!

-Dr. Mikota

It is always an absolute pleasure attending the Arboretum Adventures, an annual celebration event for our phenomenal Horticulture program at Spartanburg Community College.

This year was doubly special as our guest speaker was Dr. Richard Olsen, Director of the United States National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. — a beautiful place my wife and I used to frequent before we were married.

At SCC, we are cultivating the next generation of well educated leaders who will further empower their communities to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It!

-Dr. Mikota

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

James Thomas

Class of 2000

James Thomas has one simple message for anyone who asks him about his education and career path: “never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something -- no matter where you are from!”

James was born and raised in the old Converse Mill village on the eastside of Spartanburg and graduated from Broome High School. At 18, he was hired into an apprenticeship with MPI Southern Fineblanking and sent to Spartanburg Community College, where he graduated in 2000 with a diploma in Industrial Maintenance. 

After working several years as a maintenance technician, James realized that the workforce was quickly changing, and automation and electronics would be the future driver of industry. With a lot of prayer and support from his wife and family, he decided to return to SCC to pursue a degree in Industrial Electronics & Automation and advance his career. 

“My first time at SCC was fairly straight-forward and not overly difficult,” James said. “I was living at home, had a decent job for an 18-year-old, but from time to time my priorities would get out of line and my instructors would get me back into shape. However, things were dramatically different the second time around when I had a wife, new house, and two little babies!” 

James said there were many times that, after having to work different shifts around the clock to be able to attend classes, he felt like quitting. “It was rough, and I wanted to quit multiple times, but my wife and my instructors supported me every step of the way.”

After graduating, James secured employment working with programmable logic controllers and automation with Draexlmaier, eventually working his way up the ladder to an engineering technician, automation engineer and finally Head of Automation Engineering. 

When asked what he considers to be the greatest accomplishments so far in his life, James stated they were being able to complete his degree at SCC and being able to work his way up through his career. “I was the first person in my family to go to college and I was determined to make something of myself and have a great life and career,” he said.

“Between the support of God and my wife, I have been able to graduate -- twice! -- and have been blessed to be in positions in my life and career where I have been able to take the knowledge from my schooling and apply it in too many ways to mention. 

Today, James is passionate about helping young, career-minded individuals find similar success in their own lives. “Being a supervisor, I look for those young men and women who want to know and grow in their careers,” he said. “I have the privilege of helping others learn more about automation and electronics -- it is what gets me out of bed each and every morning! If it were not for individuals pouring their time and love into me early in my career and during my days at SCC, who knows where I would have ended up? The least I can do is pay that same time and love forward.” 

Outside of work, James can be found mentoring the robotics team at his local middle school, chairing the Charity Committee at Draexlmaier, hunting, fishing, glamping, and spending time with his wife, Melanie (pictured above with James children is also a graduate of SCC), and their two kids.

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.