Richland One’s Dr. Beyonka Wider receives 2022 SCACTE Administrator of the Year Award

June 30, 2022

Richland One’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator Dr. Beyonka Wider received the 2022 South Carolina Association of Career and Technology Education Administrator of the Year Award at the S.C. Education and Business Summit this morning (June 29) in Greenville, S.C.

The award is presented annually by the South Carolina Association of Career and Technology Education (SCACTE) in recognition of full-time career and technical administrators, program specialists, coordinators and other CTE personnel and staff (not employed as teachers or guidance professionals) who have recently provided significant contributions to professional associations and CTE programs.

“I am humbled to have been nominated for such a prestigious award and even more humbled to be the recipient of the award,” said Dr. Wider. “I believe this highlights the passion I have for CTE and my desire to truly make a significant contribution to social change in the lives of the students and teachers I serve locally, state-wide and nationally.”

She was nominated by Marcelle Boland, past president of the S.C. Special Needs/Populations Division of the SCACTE, who for decades has admired Dr. Wider’s commitment to career and technical education.

“Every task that Dr. Wider has approached has been handled in the most professional manner and performance,” said Boland. “She epitomizes the best in promotion of career and technical education and the best in furthering her educational knowledge and beliefs.”

SCACTE Nomination Committee Chairwoman Meghan Ketterman added that Dr. Wider’s significant contributions toward innovation and development of CTE programs are recognized by her school district (Richland One) and also at the state and national levels.

“Dr. Wider was nominated by her peers as an outstanding administrator and competed with three other finalists at the state round of judging,” said Ketterman. “We look forward to Dr. Wider competing at the regional and national conferences in coming years.”

Dr. Wider has been an employee of Richland One for 19 years and has been in the field of education for 22 years. Additionally, she has held various offices within the SCACTE organization, including president, secretary and treasurer. She has even served as a fellow in the program. In 2014, the organization named her Educator of the Year.

She is a 1992 graduate of Richland One’s Lower Richland High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an MBA and a doctorate of education in leadership and administration.