Dear Chasers,

The transition from April into May signifies a time of change, but also a time of celebration in the world of higher education -- and as you will see below, we have a lot to celebrate at Spartanburg Community College.

Last week, more than four thousand individuals joined us on our beautiful Campus Green to celebrate the more than 600 Chasers who officially graduated from our beloved College and accomplished a significant milestone in their journey to chase their dreams.

During my remarks, I showcased how our graduates have been able to walk the path that culminated in their graduation without the financial barrier that impedes many potential students with similar aspirations and talents. This fact is key, given how the immense rise of education costs and burdensome impact of student debt has led many to question the value of a college degree.

Over the course of the last two years, Spartanburg Community College has provided an unparalleled return-on-investment to both our students and our communities and has proven that higher education can be affordable, accessible, and ultimately relevant.

Thus, we have reframed the value proposition for individuals who choose to unleash their talents and chase their dreams; leading the College to become South Carolina's fastest growing public institution of higher education in at least the last twenty years.

Though we have much to celebrate, we must be cognizant that the success we have thus far realized is only just the beginning. The best is yet to come for the proud Chasers of Spartanburg Community College, so let's keep on chasin'!

Go Chasers!

On Thursday, May 4th, thousands of individuals gathered to celebrate at Spartanburg Community College’s graduation ceremony on the Campus Green of the College’s Giles Campus. A total of 717 degrees and certificates were conferred upon SCC’s Class of 2023, which consists of 616 graduates.

A recorded livestream of the ceremony can be found here:

https://vimeo.com/822104473

Photos from the ceremony may be found here: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sccsc/albums/72177720308015856

"Sixty years ago, Spartanburg Community College opened its doors to its first 150 students. Today, more than 600 graduates will receive their degree or certificate from one of our more than 70 different programs and enter the next phase of their journey to Dream it, Chase it, and Live it.

"Each of our graduates has a dream and, thanks to Spartanburg Community College, they have been empowered to chase those dreams and are prepared in mind and resources to leave an unmistakable impact on their respective communities that will reverberate for generations to come." - Dr. Mikota

In recognition of her years of service to education and unparalleled support for the College, SCC welcomed former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Mrs. Rita Allison to deliver the commencement address.

"Education is mankind's most enduring asset, we need to treasure it, nurture it, share it. And invest it in a better future and quality of life for oneself and all the lives they touch. SCC gives that quality education and that pathway for success." - Rep. Rita Allison

Pictured: Representative Rita Allison stands with Chaser and Dr. Michael Mikota

As part of a return to tradition, the College relaunched the Faculty of the Year recognition as part of the 2023 Commencement Ceremony, recognizing the work of outstanding faculty members who go above and beyond in support of the College’s mission and vision. The award is presented in two categories, with the recipient of one being nominated by students and the other being nominated by their peers.

Jay Moore is a highly experienced Horticulture Instructor who has taught a wide variety of courses in his field at SCC for over 14 years and has twice been the recipient of the Faculty of the Year – Student Award. He can add an additional award to his collection thanks to his recognition as the 2023 Faculty of the Year – Student Award.

Pictured: Faculty of the Year -- Student Award Winner, Jay Moore stands with Dr. Lisa Satterfield, and Dr. Michael Mikota

Magaly Littlejohn has served as a Sociology Instructor at SCC for more than 20 years and has served as the Social Sciences Department Chair for the past 13 years. Through her years of service, Magaly has been instrumental in the development and implementation of several new programs that have benefited the college and the community. Her work and dedication have earned her the distinction of being the recipient of the 2023 Faculty of the Year – Peer Award.

Pictured: Faculty of the Year -- Peer Award Winner, Magaly Littlejohn stands with Dr. Lisa Satterfield (SCC Chief Academic Officer), and Dr. Michael Mikota

Dr. Mikota and Chaser stands with former SCC Commission Chair, Reverend Benjamin Snoddy, and Commission member Kimberly Fowler

An arial view of the 2023 Graduation on the Green as it is underway

Exuberant grads celebrate following the conferring of their degrees

Graduates join Dr. Mikota the night before graduation for a toast and celebration of their success

Dr. Mikota celebrates with Cherokee Early College seniors Joao Duarte, Breanna Russell, Kensley Parker, and Alan Marroquin

This year's graduation ceremony also featured the first four graduates of the Cherokee Early College, a partnership initiated in 2020 as a partnership between Spartanburg Community College and the Cherokee County School District.

Cherokee Early College seniors Kensley Parker, Alan Marroquin, Breanna Russell and Joao Duarte graduated with both their high school diploma and an associate degree and completed the associate degree in three years instead of the original four year timeline established for high school students in the Cherokee Early College program.

Duarte plans to double down on his experience as a Chaser at Spartanburg Community College and enroll in the Registered Nursing Program in the fall. Parker and Marroquin will enroll at Clemson University and major in biochemistry/pre-med and chemical engineering, respectively, while Russell intends to enroll at Western Carolina this fall to prepare for a future career in music production.

Pictured: Erin Fredericks, Executive Director of Honor Health Career Programs, Dr. Michael Mikota, and Chaser at the Palmetto Patriots Home in Gaffney, SC

Working students will have a new, innovative pathway to a career in healthcare thanks to a partnership established today in Gaffney, SC between SCC, Honor Health Career Programs (HHCP), and the Palmetto Patriots Home.

Under the new partnership, SCC and HHCP will collaborate to eliminate barriers for employees of the Palmetto Patriots Home to further their education through the College’s Licensed Practical Nursing program. Employees will be able to take advantage of a unique 'Learn to Work-Work to Learn' model that balances class times and work schedules.

"Spartanburg Community College is proud to collaborate with Honor Health Career Programs and the Palmetto Patriots Home to provide innovative pathways for working students seeking to chase their dream of a career in healthcare, especially when it enhances the level of care received by our nation’s veterans.

"By eliminating barriers to education and establishing a healthcare education model similar to our apprenticeship programs in the manufacturing space, we are empowering employees to further their education and achieve their career goals. This partnership is just the beginning, and we look forward to exploring future opportunities to expand these pathways and create even more opportunities for students to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It," - Dr. Mikota

The Inaugural Chasers Cup Golf Tournament was a huge success, with 112 players competing to raise funds for the Spartanburg Community College Foundation. Thanks to the generous contributions of players and sponsors, the event raised an impressive $87,000 for the cause!

After a day of competitive play, Blue Cross Blue Shield SC emerged as the winners of the tournament, followed closely by Contec in second place. The third-place spot was shared by Piedmont Natural Gas, AFL, and DRB Group, who all tied for the position.

In addition to the tournament, the event also included exciting competitions for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Dave Hunkins from Global Transplant Solutions won the title of longest drive, while Todd Sinclair from DRB Group took the prize for closest to the pin.

The event's presenting sponsor, Global Transplant Solutions, a Spark Center alumni, and their generous contribution of $10,000 helped make the tournament possible. Lunch was donated by Chick-Fil-A, while Milo's Tea Company — current Spark Center guest — provided refreshing drinks to keep players hydrated throughout the day.

Overall, the Inaugural Chasers Cup Golf Tournament was a fantastic event that brought together players, sponsors, and supporters to raise funds for the proud Chasers of Spartanburg Community College.

Pictured is the Inaugural Chaser's Cup Charity Golf Tournament Champions, Blue Cross Blue Shield SC, with SCC VP of Economic Advancement, SCC Foundation Board Chair, Rich Gibson, and Andrena Powell-Baker -- the Chair of the Golf Committee and a member of the Foundation Board

View more pictures from the tournament here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sccsc/albums/72177720307430559/with/52809202077/

It was an incredible evening at our historic Downtown Campus as we inducted 50 new members into Spartanburg Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Beta Sigma Psi. 

The three foundations of Phi Theta Kappa are wisdom, aspiration, and purity. At Spartanburg Community College, we uniquely identify with each of these qualities, but to our proud Chasers, aspiration is the most important. 

Our students have dreams, and there is no greater important aspect of the job of the faculty and staff of SCC to empower the chase of those dreams so that, in the end, we can all Dream it, Chase it, and Live it!

Quantum technology is a rapidly expanding field with the potential to revolutionize computing, communications, and more. As a result, there is a great demand for skilled workers who can develop, maintain, and operate the hardware and software that power these systems.

By focusing on education and training programs that support quantum technology, we can position South Carolina as a leader in this field and attract high-paying jobs and investment to our state.

I was excited to once again participate as a panelist in the National Quantum Technology Forum at Clemson University and discuss the ways we can both recruit this emerging industry to South Carolina and train the workforce of tomorrow. - Dr. Mikota

Our Campus Green was alive with opportunity during our Spring Career Fair! I had a fantastic time engaging with our Chasers and the many local industries, clamoring to bring them on board after graduation.

I am pictured above with some of our BMW Tech Scholars, students who study in an innovative apprenticeship program we lead with BMW Plant Spartanburg.

Spartanburg Community College hosted the 39th Annual South Carolina Technical College Welding Skills Competition on Friday, April 21st. The event brought together students and instructors from across the state who competed against each other in six categories of different welding techniques, with our proud Chasers earning numerous awards.

Participants from several schools in the SC Technical College System, included Horry Georgetown Technical College, Midlands Technical College, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College, Piedmont Technical College, and Tri-County Technical College.

The competition concluded with a catered BBQ lunch where awards were presented. Prizes for award winners had been donated from various local and national welding suppliers.

The event was an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of welding skills in the workforce, both in South Carolina and nationwide. With an estimated 8% projected job growth by 2030, welding is one of the most in-demand skills in the industry. Welders can expect to earn a minimum of $20-$30 an hour, depending on qualifications.

Spartanburg Community College offers a range of welding programs, including a Welding Certificate, a Welding Associate of Applied Science Degree, an Advanced Welding Certificate, and a Fabrication Welding Certificate.

Over 150 spectators packed the stands at our historic Downtown Campus for an exhilarating display of talent and athleticism as members of our faculty and staff took on a team of students in a basketball game, all in support of our SCC Chaser Food Pantry.

All in all, the faculty/staff versus students basketball game was a smashing success and remarkable showcase of the competitive nature of our proud Chasers! 

After a competitive contest, the students eventually prevailed over the highly trained faculty and staff squad. 

Please share a hearty congratulations to our Student Life team for pulling off this amazing event! Everyone is already clamoring for the next game!

SCC's "Late Night Breakfast" event was a huge success, providing a much-needed break for SCC students during the stressful exams period. Faculty and staff members donned their aprons and served breakfast for dinner to the hungry students, who eagerly filled the cafeteria.

The atmosphere was lively and cheerful as students enjoyed pancakes, biscuits, bacon, and other breakfast staples. The event was a great opportunity for students to take a break from studying and relax with their friends while enjoying a delicious meal.

The Late Night Breakfast event is part of SCC's commitment to supporting the wellbeing of its students during exam time. The initiative was warmly received by the SCC community, and students left feeling recharged and ready to tackle their studies.

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

Crystal Price earned her CNA certification from Spartanburg Community College in 2019. After obtaining her certification, Crystal went back to SCC to take nursing pre-requisites and business classes.

When asked about her time at SCC, Crystal fondly remembers her first day at the college: "It gave me a sense of encouragement and pride as I started my new journey," she says. Following graduation, Crystal held positions at First Piedmont Federal Bank, the magistrate's office, and LSC Communications, but her biggest accomplishment, however, has been owning and operating her own business, White Picket Fence Homecare.



Her company provides in-home care for seniors and anyone with a disability and has 22 employees. White Picket Fence Homecare provides non-medical services ranging from assistance in grooming, mobility, meal preparation, light housekeeping, to mere companionship. Crystal takes pride in helping those in need and making a positive impact in her community.

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!