Florence, South Carolina – Florence-Darlington Technical College is marking a new point of pride as its president, Dr. Jermaine Ford, takes on a regional leadership role tied closely to academic quality, accountability and the future of higher education.
Ford has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, known as SACSCOC, the accrediting body that works with more than 780 institutions in the United States and beyond.
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The appointment places FDTC’s president among leaders who help guide the organization’s work and support the accreditation process for colleges and universities across the region.
For FDTC, the moment carries weight beyond a single appointment. It also reflects the college’s steady progress since Ford arrived in October 2021, after the institution had faced earlier accreditation challenges.
Under his leadership, FDTC has worked to strengthen academic programs, improve institutional effectiveness and keep student success at the center of its mission.
“Florence-Darlington Technical College continues to demonstrate that we are moving in the right direction,” FDTC Area Commission Chairman Clint Moore said.
“Dr. Ford’s nomination to the SACSCOC Board reflects the tremendous progress our college has made and is a testament to the hard work that he and all the Florence-Darlington Technical College staff have put towards the advancement of our programs and offerings to our students.”
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SACSCOC’s Board of Trustees helps lead the commission’s work and oversees key parts of the accreditation process. According to SACSCOC, the College Delegate Assembly elects board members from accredited institutions to help guide that mission. More information about the organization and its board is available at https://sacscoc.org/about-sacscoc/board-of-trustees/.
Ford will serve as part of the South Carolina delegation, giving FDTC a voice in broader conversations about higher education standards, innovation and public trust.
“I am honored to serve on the SACSCOC Board of Trustees and to represent both Florence-Darlington Technical College and the state of South Carolina,” Dr. Ford said.
“This opportunity reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, who have remained focused on student success and workforce development. Our recent accreditation review results demonstrate our commitment to excellence, and I look forward to contributing to the advancement of higher education across the region.”
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FDTC’s recent 10-year accreditation review further highlights that progress, showing strong alignment with SACSCOC standards and continued attention to quality and integrity.
“I am thrilled Dr. Ford has joined the SACSCOC Board of Trustees,” SACSCOC President Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt said. “I am excited to work with Dr. Ford and the rest of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees as we continue to position ourselves as an innovation leader while focusing on maintaining a high level of rigor and quality.”
