President Michael Mikota

Dr. Michael Mikota became Spartanburg Community College’s 7^th president on July 13, 2020.  He conceptualized and spearheaded the launch of the College’s first mascot, Chaser the Border Collie - the “Smartest Dog in the World,” and has championed the inspirational legendary tale of unlocking a new understanding of the power of learning through a commitment to the College’s new motto to “Dream It, Chase It, and Live It.”

Dr. Michael Mikota is an invaluable asset to South Carolina as a whole, and under his leadership, Spartanburg Community College continues to increase its enrollment each semester, served approximately 10,000 students last year, and is recognized as the fastest-growing public higher education institution (with an enrollment larger than 1,000 students) in South Carolina in more than 20 years (54% growth) – as well as most recently being named “Best Community College in South Carolina” by BestColleges, “Best College” by the Spartanburg Herald Journal, and the “Best Place to Work” and “Best Continuing Education” by The Post & Courier Spartanburg.

Dr. Mikota is effectively transforming Spartanburg Community College while leading the state regarding innovative programming and strategic management.  Under his leadership, the college has expanded the operational budget by 67%, has grown the personnel services budget by 59%, and has increased the overall capital budget by over $100 million.

A native of Gaffney, South Carolina, Dr. Mikota grew up with a passion for learning and a dedication to achieving results through hard work.  Dr. Mikota graduated cum laude from Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in English, holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Gardner-Webb University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Policy Studies degree from Clemson University.

Dr. Mikota started his working career at Sunny Hills Peach Farm while he was in high school and worked throughout his time at Wofford College at the Whiteside-Smith Law Firm.  He gained experience in the banking industry during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and he served as a prominent figure during his time at Clemson University, serving as President of the Graduate Student Body, a member of the Clemson University Athletic Council, and as a National Fellow with the U.S. Government pioneering the political and economic feasibility of water quality trading.  Post graduation, Dr. Mikota served Clemson University as a Watershed Policy Director, a researcher, and lecturer while simultaneously spearheading groundbreaking research projects with Duke Energy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Serving most recently on the South Carolina Board of Economic Advisors and the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Board, Dr. Mikota is an acknowledged authority on the intersection between higher education, workforce, and the economy and has served in numerous leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels.  Previous leadership roles include:  Senior Analyst for the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Washington D.C., where he played a pivotal role in the aftermath of the 2008 Financial Crisis, Executive Director of the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments, and the 8^th President of Central Carolina Technical College where he served as member of the South Carolina Workforce Development Board, as Chairman of the South Carolina Technical College System Council of Presidents, and as an Honorary Commander with Shaw Airforce Base. 

Dr. Mikota and his wife, Camila, have three children – Cecilia, Penelope, and Henry.