Dear Chasers,

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, more high school graduates are choosing to forgo enrolling in college and instead enter the labor force, a fact showcased by a 6% decline in enrollment in 2022 versus 2019. This news follows a poll released earlier this year showing most Americans don’t believe a college degree is worth the cost.

Access to higher education opportunities is important, and it is essential that access is matched with outcomes that result in prosperity without the burden of debt. Spartanburg Community College continues to lead the way at a critical inflection point as higher education will need to continue to adapt to meet the demands of the economy.

This is the reality we face and the reason behind why Spartanburg Community College is rising to the occasion by bridging the gap between higher educational opportunities and the regional economy in a way that represents a significant return on investment, both for our students and the communities we serve. Our 52% growth over the same time period, mentioned in the articled referenced above, showcases our unique success in leading the chase!

As we move into the bright, sun-filled days of summer, we focus on the future growth and development of our college, our proud Chasers, and the many dreams and aspirations we will harvest in the upcoming academic year! I look forward to continuing to demonstrate how we best Dream It, Chase It, and Live It!

Go Chasers!

Spartanburg Community College (SCC) is proud to announce its most recent commercial campaign, which focused on the College’s unparalleled impact on students, community, and the economy, was nominated for an EMMY award in the “Branded Content Campaign” category.

Under the dynamic leadership of SCC's Vice President of Strategic Innovation, Dr. Stacey Obi, the College's Marketing team embarked on a collaborative journey with Move Media Agency, a prominent Colorado-based firm, during the summer of 2022 to create a captivating series of commercials that not only captured SCC's profound impact on the regional economy but also instilled a sense of limitless potential within current and prospective students.

“Developing and crafting these commercials was incredibly rewarding and I am thrilled they are receiving this astounding level of recognition,” said Dr. Stacey Obi. “In conjunction with our in-house marketing team, we were fortunate to work with an amazingly talented media group who listened to our vision, understood how bold we wanted to go, and delivered.”

Award winners will be announced June 17th.

Click the video above to view the series!

Spartanburg Community College was pleased to host board members of South Carolina Commission on Higher Education to our Tyger River Campus.

Dr. Mikota led them through an update on the many great accomplishments that the College has experienced over the last few years, including telling them the story of how we adopted Chaser as our official mascot.

Here are some fast facts from that meeting:

• Spartanburg Community College's 52% enrollment growth makes it the fastest growing public college in South Carolina serving more than 1,000 students in at least the last twenty years
• We currently have the largest enrollment in SCC's sixty year history
• SCC was ranked the best community college in South Carolina by Best Colleges in 2022
• SCC's innovative Spark Center SC has delivered a net economic impact of $39.6 billion to the state since 2007

Dr. Mikota once again joined the Cherokee County Council to showcase SCC's plan to launch a Spark Center at our Cherokee County Campus in Gaffney, SC.

Much like the recently announced Project Tiger, which will bring close to 200 jobs to the county, we anticipate an expansion of our innovative approach to economic development will pay dividends to Cherokee County through the recruitment of industry and creation of prosperity.

This past month, we celebrated the many dedicated years of service given to Spartanburg Community College by Mr. Gregory Tate as a member of our Commission.

Mr. Tate has served on our Commission since 2011, including a stint as Chairman from 2015-2019, and will continue to be inspired by and supportive of our proud Chasers!

Good Morning America ran an inspirational story of a Spartanburg woman who's four children all graduated from various institutions this month, with her two daughters graduating from Spartanburg Community College with degrees in Nursing and Biology!

Read the full story here: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/story/mom-celebrates-4-kids-graduating-99252200

Spartanburg Community College is proud to announce that 616 students have earned Dean's List honors for the Spring 2023 semester.

To qualify for the Dean’s List a student must: have a declared major; be enrolled in at least 12 semester program credit hours for fall or spring or nine semester program credit hours in the summer (excluding audit courses); have earned a grade point average of 3.5 with no course grade lower than a “C.”

View the list of Dean's List students here: 

https://www.sccsc.edu/student-life/deanslist.php

Exciting developments are underway at the Automotive Department of SCC! Thanks to the Revolutionizing Electric Vehicle Education Consortium (REVVED) Grant, we are proud to announce the addition of a cutting-edge 2023 Volvo C40 fully electric vehicle to our training fleet. This state-of-the-art acquisition complements our existing lineup of hybrid vehicles, ensuring our students receive comprehensive education in the latest automotive technologies.

SCC's Automotive Program Director David Vizcaya and Instructor David Wellbaum are spearheading the creation of a groundbreaking curriculum as part of the REVVED program in collaboration with Trident Technical College, Greenville Technical College, and Clemson University. Designed to be utilized by automotive programs nationwide, this curriculum aims to equip future technicians with the essential skills needed to thrive in the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

Recognizing the importance of proper training in handling high-voltage systems, SCC is taking a leading role in EV education. To enhance learning experiences, we are developing a series of virtual training videos, utilizing augmented reality systems, and leveraging the expertise of our faculty members. This multifaceted approach ensures our students gain hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge in electric vehicle manufacturing and service.

Stay tuned for further updates as SCC continues to drive progress in the automotive industry and prepares the next generation of skilled technicians for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Johnson Controls has approved a grant request to Spartanburg Community College in the amount of $35,000 in support of our HVAC Program. This is a wonderful achievement, and we are grateful to have Johnson Controls' support in our mission to provide top-quality education to our students.

In addition to the financial grant, Johnson Controls has also generously provided SCC with Metasys equipment and an HVAC Simulator for a lab, which is valued at approximately $65,000.

This equipment will enable us to train our HVAC students using state-of-the-art technology, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

This field is projected to grow significantly over the next ten years and SCC’s newly expanded HVAC program -- which will be expanding to the College's Cherokee County Campus this fall thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation -- provides the local pathway for students to find success in this expansive and lucrative career path.

To celebrate the sweet occasion of National Donut Day and to show my appreciation for their hard and dedicated work, I walked around campus handing out doughnuts to faculty, staff, and students. Go Chasers!

-Dr. Mikota

"I had the pleasure of joining the Gaffney Rotary for lunch to hear Beth Johnson, SCC's Director of the Practical Nursing program, discuss the LPN program and the newly formed partnership between the College and the Palmetto Patriots Home in Gaffney. We are making significant advancements in how we train the next generation of healthcare workers!"

-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

When Kristin Perez first set foot on campus at Spartanburg Community College at the age of 23, she was already married and had a full-time job. Little did she know that her journey as a Chaser would dramatically change her life for the better.

"I was very shy and not very confident in myself or what I would be able to do when I first started at SCC," Kristen explained. "It was very hard at first and I had so many doubts if I was going to be able to do it."

Despite those first jitters and moments of self-doubt, Kristin finally began coming into her own and finding success in her major: Computer Technology-Programming/Database.

Kristin has been a star student at SCC, earning Dean's List recognition every semester except for her first. She's not only excelled academically but has also become a tutor, a testament to the support and guidance provided by the College's services.

One of the most remarkable parts of her story is how she turned her dream of working at Cisco, a tech industry giant, into a reality, a journey that began in her second semester...

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.