Dear Chasers,

When I first became president three years ago in the midst of a pandemic, I told a gathering of faculty and staff that sometimes great opportunities are grown from tough circumstances. I shared the fact that the seeds of the mighty California Redwood can remain secured within cones on branches for decades, and those dormant seeds are only released when these cones are forced to open up in response to high temperatures generated by fire. The fire clears the undergrowth near the towering giants and creates an environment conducive to growth.

At SCC, we have taken great efforts to create an environment where students are empowered to chase and live out their dreams through unparalleled access to higher education opportunities and a unique focus on student success. We provide the spark needed to ignite the flames and unleash the potential within each and every proud Chaser.

These efforts have not gone unnoticed within the communities we serve and beyond, as evidenced by the remarkable 18% increase we witnessed this week in new student enrollment compared to last year.

To forever cement the analogy of the Redwood and serve as a constant reminder of my dedication to student success, SCC Arboretum Director Dr. Kevin Parris and I recently undertook the symbolic planting of a California Redwood -- which, as luck would have it, are cultivated on the Giles Campus Arboretum -- at my house this past month as you can see pictured below.

It is my hope that this mighty tree will stand for generations to come as a profound reflection of our dedication to fostering growth, nurturing potential, and catalyzing the remarkable transformation that occurs when the sparks of ambition are set ablaze within the sheltering embrace of SCC.

Go Chasers!

Spartanburg Community College was voted the best College/University in Spartanburg by the readers of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal! 

What an amazing honor and testament to the work our College does to empower thousands of Chasers to DreamIt, ChaseIt, and LiveIt! 

What a wonderful opportunity it is for me to share that it is my three-year anniversary as president of Spartanburg Community College.

I’ve had the tremendous honor of leading this institution through the pandemic and into a new age at the College where we have launched a mascot that symbolizes the ability for everyone to Dream It, Chase It, and Live It.

We’ve grown the College to the highest enrollment in its sixty-year history and continue to drive prosperity, opportunity, and a sense of community through the region. We have accomplished many great things over the last three years, but look out -- we’re going to keep chasin’!

Go Chasers!

-Dr. Mikota

Spartanburg Community College's bookstore, the SCC Book Inn, has teamed up with none other than Nike, the iconic sportswear brand, to bring a fresh and stylish collection of apparel to our campus!

This collaboration is a significant milestone for SCC as we continue to prioritize offering the best for our college community. With Nike's unparalleled reputation for quality and trendsetting designs, this partnership will undoubtedly elevate your style both on and off campus.

Drop by the SCC Book Inn and pick up some new gear!

We are thrilled to announce the grand unveiling of Spartanburg Community College's newly redesigned website—a project that has been more than two years in the making!

Check it out here: www.sccsc.edu

With user-friendly navigation, visually appealing layouts, and updated content, you'll find an abundance of information about our diverse academic programs, the exceptional quality of our faculty, and the extensive range of services we provide.

Take a moment to visit www.sccsc.edu and immerse yourself in our new digital home. Explore the success stories of our students, delve into the latest news and events, and learn about the transformative impact the College has had in our community for over six decades.

Last week marked the beginning of a new tradition at Spartanburg Community College: the swearing-in of new SCC Campus Police Officers!

Officer Joshua Wylde began working for SCC in 2019 as a third shift security officer. In doing his part to bring our motto of Dream It, Chase It, and Live it to life, Josh decided to pursue his dream of a career in law enforcement by enrolling at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

With his official graduation from the Academy taking place last Friday, the SCC Campus Police team were proud to welcome him into the fold with an official swearing-in ceremony, conducted in my office Monday morning!

Stay tuned to next month's edition of Minute with Mikota, which will feature an interview with Officer Wylde talking about his journey!

Spartanburg Community College is proud to announce that 349 Chasers have earned Dean's List honors for the Spring 2023 semester.

SCC's Dean's List is compiled by the Student Affairs Office and recognizes students who achieve academic excellence. To qualify, 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), and have earned a grade point average of 3.5 with no course grade lower than a “C.”

See the Dean's List by clicking here.

Pictured from Left to Right: SCC Campus Police Officer Timothy Owens, Food Lion Store Manager Alex Clever, Chaser the Border Collie, and SCC Food Pantry Manager Lerkeshia Littlejohn.

Chaser’s Food Pantry has received $2,600 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help aid in fighting hunger and transforming lives while feeding college students in their time of need. The pantry will use the in-kind gift to aid in fighting food insecurities on each of its five campuses by providing basic nutritional food and other essentials to any current SCC student in their time of need.

The leadership of Spartanburg County School District 3 visited our Spark Center recently to learn more about the many varied ways Spartanburg Community College focuses on economic and workforce development.

Did you know: the Spark Center has served more than 140 companies and created more than 122,000 jobs in Spartanburg County since its establishment in 2007?

SC Green is a statewide, non-profit organization whose goal is to serve its membership by increasing the professionalism of the green industry through ongoing educational opportunities, trade shows, and scholarships to students planning a career in the horticulture and landscape industries. 

This year, SC Green proudly donated $3,000 to the SCC Horticulture Program for scholarship funding, an increase of $500 over last year's contribution. 

This contribution and its increase speaks volumes to the impact of our amazing horticulture program!

As part of our revitalized commitment to connect our alumni and provide career-long value to all Chasers, the Spartanburg Community College Alumni Association is proud to announce the establishment of the Alumni Council.

The group gathered recently on the Giles Campus and was treated to an amazing meal prepared by Chef Shaun Bezuidenhout and the summer semester's culinary students. The meal allowed us to highlight one of the many talented groups Chasing their dreams here at SCC while giving the council members a chance to begin discussing plans for the upcoming year.

Pictured above with Chef Bezuidenhout are Tammy McGinnis ('14), Molly McKinney-Administrative Assistant for SCC Foundation/Alumni Outreach ('17), Ed and Ysante McDowell ('21), Dr. Lichelle Jones-Wilkins ('02), Ryan Collins ('17), Kristin Perez ('23), and Brandon Coates ('11). Not pictured: Marcus Smith ('21), Jodi Snyder ('20), Lekesa Whitner ('00) , James Thomas ('00), and Aston Trice ('23). 

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

Born and raised in upstate South Carolina, Reynalda Christopher graduated from Spartanburg Community College with an Associate Degree from the Office Systems & Technology program in 2001. Since then, she has gone on to have a successful career and become a dedicated member of her community.

Reynalda's journey to SCC began when her daughter started middle school, and she realized she needed to learn more about computers to help her with school assignments. She took a Continuing Ed class at SCC and fell in love with the College, leading her to pursue a full-time degree. She credits SCC with providing her with all the tools needed to be successful in her career as an Administrative Assistant.

Click the button below to read more about Reynalda and how her SCC experience shaped her path to success. Discover the lasting impact of SCC's education and be inspired to Dream It, Chase It, Live It!

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.