Spartanburg Community College Expands Cherokee County Campus in Iconic Gaffney Location
November 15, 2024
Community + Events
The more than $50 million investment will bring to life an expansion strategically located under the iconic Peach water tower along Interstate 85, adding a unique, highly recognizable landmark to SCC’s evolving Cherokee County Campus.
SCC is celebrating an extraordinary period of growth with an inspiring surge in enrollment, creating the perfect timing for these efforts. Over the past year, SCC has seen a remarkable 17% year-over-year increase in new student enrollment, surpassing its goal and bringing in a total of 3,317 new students. Since 2020, the College’s overall headcount has surged by 62%, bringing total enrollment to over 6,700 students across its five campuses.
This growth trend has also been reflected in SCC’s number of graduates, which has climbed by 39% since the 2015-2016 academic year, increasing from 784 to an impressive 1,086 in 2023-2024. As SCC continues to expand, the College remains dedicated to meeting the educational and workforce needs of its community, ensuring access to quality education for a growing student body.
Dr. Michael Mikota, SCC's President, described the expansion as a transformative milestone, stating, “As a native of Cherokee County, this historic announcement is both personally and professionally significant, as we continue to drive South Carolina forward into a new age of innovation in higher education and economic development. The strategic investment in our community exemplifies SCC’s mission to empower our region to new heights of opportunity and prosperity for many generations to come.”
The expanded Cherokee County Campus will offer students a more dynamic environment, combining rich community heritage with enhanced academic and training facilities to support the workforce of tomorrow. The expansion will also feature the Spark Center, a business accelerator designed to support companies looking to relocate to Cherokee County. 
Since its opening, SCC’s Tyger River Spark Center has generated an astounding $52.6 billion economic impact. The Spark Center’s initiatives have supported the creation of over 130,000 jobs, significantly contributing to the economic vitality and growth of South Carolina.
With these additions, SCC strengthens its role as a regional leader in education, aligning resources with the unique needs of Cherokee County and beyond.
To learn more, please contact:
Savanna James | Chief Marketing and Brand Strategy Officer
Spartanburg Community College