Gaffney campus sees leadership change

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Spartanburg Community College’s Cherokee County campus will welcome Gaffney native Amanda “Mandy” Painter as its new executive director following the retirement of current Executive Director Daryl Smith.

Painter, a curriculum and secondary instruction coordinator, has worked for the Cherokee County School System for 20 years as a high school math teacher, placement coordinator, and the assistant director and director of the Cherokee Technology Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate and a master's degree in school administration from Gardner Webb University, according to a news release.

“While working for the school district, she has been a fabulous partner for SCC,” Cheryl Cox, senior vice president of academic affairs, said in the news release. “Her support, knowledge and collaboration were invaluable in the development of the Institute of Innovation building, curriculum on the SCC Cherokee County Campus and in the creation of the Cherokee County Early College. Mandy is always laser focused on student success. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her in this new role.”

The college president expressed appreciation for Smith’s accomplishments at the campus.

“Mention the SCC Cherokee County Campus anywhere in Cherokee County and the name Daryl Smith immediately comes to mind,” President Michael Mikota said in the release. “For the past 13 years, Daryl has been the go-to person for the campus, working alongside community leaders and elected officials to ensure all residents, regardless of age or circumstances, have the opportunity to pursue educational opportunities. Daryl’s dedication to the community and to our students is unwavering, and he will be greatly missed. Thanks to Daryl’s leadership, the Cherokee County Campus is poised for even more future success.”

Before being appointed as executive director, Smith served as the school’s department chair for business administration and as a manufacturing manager at Mettler-Toledo for 16 years, according to the release. During his time as director, the school established its Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Technology, Institute of Innovation and Early College for Cherokee County high school students.