Columbia College & Newberry College partner to co-host South Carolina Teaching Fellows program
September 4, 2024
Columbia College and Newberry College have been selected as co-hosts for the South Carolina Teaching Fellows program, with the first cohort opening in fall 2025.
The fellowship, administered by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention & Advancement, recruits talented high school seniors to become teachers in South Carolina. Highly selective, the program is hosted by 14 higher education institutions across the state, four of which are private. The Columbia-Newberry collaboration is the first in the teaching fellows program’s 25-year history.
Dr. Tracy West, Dean of the Division of Education at Columbia College, shared, “Teaching Fellows has been an important piece of educator preparation in the Division of Education at Columbia College, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to our students once again! Partnering with Newberry College, where students can either choose to become a Columbia College Koala or a Newberry Wolf, is a recipe for success that can propel the program’s evolution forward.”
“We are thrilled that Teaching Fellows is back at Newberry College!” said Dr. Susan Fernandez, Dean of Education at Newberry. “The pinnacle piece of this program is our partnership with Columbia College. Both colleges are positioned to fully support fellows through experiential learning, specialized advisement and instruction, financial support, advocacy, and more.”
Across the state, up to 230 fellowships are awarded yearly to prospective college students who exhibit academic achievement, service to school and community, and a desire to teach in South Carolina. Once enrolled at the college of their choice, Teaching Fellows participate in advanced enrichment programs with unique professional and leadership development opportunities. Each fellow receives up to $24,000, or up to $6,000 per year for four years, toward completion of their degree.
In return, fellows agree to teach in a South Carolina public school for one year for every year they receive the fellowship. According to CERRA, 93.3% of graduates, or 2,465 fellows, have either satisfied their loan or are currently teaching for loan forgiveness in a South Carolina public school.
Applications for the fall 2025 Teaching Fellows cohort open in September. Interested students must apply for Teaching Fellows fellowships during their final year of high school.
To apply for admission to Columbia College, visit columbiasc.edu. To apply for admission to Newberry College, visit newberry.edu. To apply for Teaching Fellows, visit cerra.org.
About Columbia College
Founded in 1854, Columbia College educates women and men to build successful careers and live lives of impact. The College’s liberal arts foundation ensures that students learn to think critically, develop their curiosity, and nurture a love for learning. With an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Columbia College students benefit from individualized support, engaged instruction, and personal mentorship. With more than 30 undergraduate programs and nine graduate programs, students can discover and pursue their passion and purpose.
About Newberry College
Newberry College is a private, residential, co-educational institution with a diverse student population. Founded in 1856 by the Lutheran Church, Newberry College is one of the South’s top 10 best colleges according to U.S. News & World Report, consistently honored for value (No. 3), social mobility (No. 4), best colleges for veterans (No. 2) and overall best (No. 10). Offering baccalaureate degrees in 42 majors, four graduate programs, six fully online undergraduate programs and five dual-degree programs, the College’s foundation remains grounded in the liberal arts. In addition, the College offers 24 NCAA Division II sports, cheerleading, dance and esports. Newberry College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the National Association of Schools of Music. For more information, visit newberry.edu.
