Dr. Michael Mikota

Happy National Mascot Day! Here’s to the best mascot in the world! Our beloved Chaser was not only the smartest dog in the world, but she is now a living legacy guiding a new way forward for a generation that believes that their dreams can be attained through perseverance and an inspirational love of learning. Go Chasers!

Each day is a gift, and the greatest gifts I have ever received include the wonderful day when Camila and I were married, and the miraculous days when we welcomed three amazing lives into our family!

The Chase continues for all of the recent proud graduates! May was a wonderful experience on multiple fronts! From my son’s Pre-K graduation, to my nephew’s graduation, and on to the celebration we held for all of our SCC graduates, the month was filled with proud moments and new beginnings. Now it is time for everyone to continue to chase their dreams – my son will start Kindergarten, my nephew has already started dental school, and all of our SCC Chaser graduates are pursuing the next steps to live out their dreams!

Another successful ‘Coffee with the President’ in the books! It was great welcoming and getting to know the new Chasers who have joined our SCC Family.

Let us continue to share the history and legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in the greatest country in the history of the world!

In honor of EMS Week, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to SCC’s EMS students and faculty. Your dedication to emergency medical services is a testament to your compassion and courage. Thank you for your tireless efforts in keeping our communities safe and healthy.

Cheers to another successful ‘Coffee with the President’! I thoroughly enjoyed welcoming and getting to know the new Chasers who have joined our SCC Family.

Celebrating this with our dedicated SCC Police and our SC Department of Public Safety Officers stationed on our campus representing Troop 3, Post D! We honor these proud individuals for their bravery, sacrifice, and devotion to safety and the protection of others!

What a weekend! The Spartanburg Professional Baseball Team’s Block Party was a blast! I enjoyed spending time with my family and fellow Chasers.

It was both an honor and a privilege to swear in SCC’s 2024-2025 Student Government Association Officers! I look forward to working with these dedicated students as they embark on a year of service, innovation, and advocacy.

I had a wonderful time last weekend at the Institute of Innovation Spring Fling on our SCC Cherokee County Campus! Chaser and I enjoyed catching up with Dennis Fowler for a WZZQ live on-air discussion about the wonderful educational partnerships and tremendous economic opportunities that we are expanding in Cherokee County. Go Chasers!

Over 950 proud graduates of the Class of 2024 were celebrated today at our 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony. Their success showcases our passion to provide every resource possible to empower our students to realize the full potential of each and every talent they may possess. Go Chasers!

I enjoyed serving as the guest speaker for BMW’s International Council of Apprenticeship and Training last week and discuss the close partnership between Spartanburg Community College and BMW Plant Spartanburg. The future of apprenticeship training is being forged by the proud Chasers of Spartanburg Community College!

Thank you Donna Walker, my executive assistant, for all you do to keep the Chasers chasin’! Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

I had the honor of celebrating three outstanding students from SCC—Shanai Peery, Ashlie Petty, and Danielle Rodriguez—who were recognized among the top 50 students in the South Carolina Technical College System. Their exceptional academic achievements have earned them a place on the prestigious 2024 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State Academic Team.

In addition to these remarkable student accomplishments, the advisor team of SCC's PTK chapter, Beta Sigma Psi, was nominated for the 'Advisor of the Year' award. Congratulations to all!

We had an incredible time “swinging into action” at the Chaser’s Cup Golf Tournament! Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday for a day of golf and support. Your participation will make a continued difference in the lives of SCC students! ⛳️🏌️‍♂️ See ya next year!

It was a privilege to serve as the presenting speaker at our Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society induction ceremony. Witnessing the dedication, hard work, and academic excellence of the 60 proud Chasers and their families and friends reaffirms the power of our motto: Dream it. Chase it. Live it. Join me in celebrating their success and congratulating them on this remarkable achievement!

It was a pleasure to spend Wednesday afternoon with the Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Petra Schneebauer, discussing the way Spartanburg Community College uniquely bridges the gap between talent and industry for our region.

At Thursday's Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce banquet, Abbe Kate Wisher from Blacksburg High School and Emazon Littlejohn from Gaffney High School were recognized as SCC's Youth of the Year Recipients. The event was also notable as Dr. Michael Mikota was inducted into the Cherokee County Hall of Success. These achievements remind us to continue to Dream it. Chase it. Live it.

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It was truly an honor to be inducted into the Cherokee County Hall of Success last night. I am fortunate to have had the privilege of growing up in Cherokee County, and I am grateful to all of the fine educators and community members who supported me through my journey. This recognition is the ultimate showcase of how investment in education and a community’s desire to nurture young talent can lead to extraordinary success. Some communities and organizations have to wait to strike when the iron is hot, but I am very proud to be leading educational efforts in Cherokee County to continue to strike to make the iron hot!

GREAT NEWS! ‘Minute With Mikota’ is back! Get the inside scoop on some things I’ve been working on at SCC and beyond.

https://conta.cc/49olhes

An unforgettable Saturday at the Oscars with KNOW2 Cherokee! I am grateful that our community fosters learning, health, and prosperity.

I was pleased to showcase the great efforts of Spartanburg Community College and Union County School District yesterday at the Union County Industrial Partners Forum. SCC has enjoyed collaborating with Union County’s industry leaders and the school district to build a new vibrant hub of education and opportunity, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Last week I enjoyed kicking off Leadership South Carolina’s economic development sessions at our SPARK Center. What an incredible opportunity to showcase how Spartanburg Community College leads the Chase towards a brighter future through economic and workforce development! Proud to host these exceptional leaders from across the state in Spartanburg.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Second Annual Chaser’s Cup golf tournament on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg! Hosted by the Spartanburg Community College Foundation, this event aims to raise vital funds to support our mission of empowering students and boosting our local economy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something truly special. Secure your spot or find out more details at the link below.

myscc.info/golf

Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of my life.❤️

I enjoyed meeting with Brand van’t Hof and Martin Loose from AWL to discuss the future of advanced manufacturing training and technology. Their generosity in donating a new robot will undoubtedly enrich our students’ learning experiences. Thank you AWL for your commitment to education and innovation!

Last Friday was a momentous occasion as I had the honor of swearing in the 2023-2024 SGA representatives! It fills me with pride to witness these dedicated individuals taking on leadership roles to serve our college community.

Awards and recognition, pinning ceremonies, and much more occurred on the campuses of Spartanburg Community College over the last month. Read my newsletter below to catch up on it all before the new year!

A Minute with Mikota Dr. Michael Mikota's Monthly Newsletter Dear Chasers, As we experience the celestial winter solstice this week on December 21, I can’t help but consider the fact that starting on December 22 we will s