Greenville Technical College and Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC partnered to impact student success on April 1, 2026. The college held a drive-through donation event, collecting clothing and household goods for Goodwill. The event received promotional assistance from students enrolled in the college’s Marketing program.
During the event, 1,828 pounds of clothing and household goods were collected. Based on that total weight, Goodwill presented the college’s Student Assistance and Resources (STAR) Center with 20 $20 gift cards that students can use at Goodwill stores.
“Our partnership with Greenville Technical College is a perfect example of how community collaboration fuels student success,” said Chunsta Miller, Goodwill Vice President of Communication and Public Engagement. “The incredible generosity shown during this donation drive means much more than filling our stores – it directly translates into resources for students and our community. Every single donation is a gift of support, helping Goodwill power our mission while providing vital assistance to our community. It’s a true win-win that shows the power of the Upstate coming together.”
The STAR Center at Greenville Technical College provides basic needs support for students including financial assistance, groceries and essential needs, and access to other resources. According to a recent student survey, 39% of students reported being food insecure, 33% ran out of money six or more times in the past year, and 46% reported being housing insecure.
“We are grateful to Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC for joining with us once again to help students,” said Gina Bridges, STAR Center director. “Students can’t concentrate on learning and succeed in their classes when their basic needs aren’t being met. Goodwill’s gift will go a long way toward providing essentials that remove barriers standing between students and their academic goals.”
Category: Press Release
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Cassidy Coates Price, P.A.
Cassidy Coates Price P.A. has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Legal 500 United States, with three attorneys ranked in the inaugural Southeast guide. Trey Suggs and Ross Plyler were recognized for Commercial Disputes, and Bill Coates was recognized for White Collar Crime. The rankings are based on independent research, including client and peer feedback.
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Western Governors University
Columbia, S.C. — Graduates of the SC Technical College System’s 16 colleges can more easily transfer their academic credits to accredited online Western Governors University (WGU), thanks to a new partnership agreement signed by leaders of both organizations. Additionally, graduates and staff from across the SC Technical College System can apply for WGU’s Community College Partner Scholarships, valued up to $3,500.
The goal of this agreement is to provide technical college graduates and employees with flexible, personalized learning pathways to higher education and professional development through WGU’s online programs. By making it easier for students to transfer credits and continue their education, WGU and the SC Technical College System will expand access to bachelor’s degree opportunities for two-year college students, including minorities and other underrepresented populations.
WGU offers more than 120 online bachelor’s, master’s, and professional certificate programs spanning business, technology, healthcare, and K-12 education. Its flexible, competency-based model allows students to work at their own pace, with support from individually assigned program mentors. Tuition for bachelor’s degrees is priced at approximately $4,000 per six-month term. Students may complete as many courses as they choose within a term, creating opportunities to complete their degrees in less time and at a lower cost than the national average.
“This partnership expands opportunity for our graduates and employees across South Carolina,” said Dr. Tim Hardee, president of the SC Technical College System. “By creating a seamless transfer pathway to WGU, we are helping students continue their education in a flexible format that supports career advancement and long-term success. This agreement reflects our commitment to being accessible, affordable, and relevant.”
To learn more about the SC Technical College System, visit sctechsystem.edu. For more information about WGU, visit wgu.edu
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA) is hosting an event dedicated to connecting individuals and families with opportunities, resources, and support that foster long-term economic mobility.
The MTW FSS Resource Fair & Self-Sufficiency Workshop will be held Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Greenville Convention Center ( Room 102 A/B), 1 Exposition Drive, Greenville. Park near the Eisenhower Drive entrance.
More than 350 participants have been invited to the invited, and more than 200 have already confirmed they’ll be joining us throughout the day to explore resources, connect with agencies, and take meaningful steps toward their goals. The event is open to the public.
To register, email mtw@tgha.net.
TGHA received final approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a Moving to Work (MTW) program last summer. This is a federal demonstration program that gives the TGHA more flexibility to design and test innovative strategies for providing housing assistance. HUD does not provide additional funding for the program, rather it permits flexibilities in the funding allocated to the housing choice voucher program.
Under the new MTW program, TGHA’s focus is on preparing participants for opportunities through education and employment opportunities for those receiving assistance from the housing agency. The goal is to help people to increase their household earnings and to be comfortably able to compete in the rental market.
This creates a two-outcome effect of helping to reduce the massive backlog of people seeking housing assistance by empowering eligible participants to graduate from the housing choice voucher rental assistance program. The elderly and disabled are exempt from mandatory participation in the MTW program.
About TGHA:
The Greenville Housing Authority administers federal funds and provides vouchers for 3,000 households which serve nearly 9,000 members.
GREENVILLE, SC – A company that has helped thousands of Upstate families find affordable apartments has been named the Greenville Chamber Small Business of the Month for April.
Affordable Upstate was founded in 2017 with a focus on providing affordable housing that surpasses typical market standards.
A real estate investment firm focused on redeveloping and redefining naturally occurring affordable housing in the Upstate of South Carolina, the company’s foundation reflects a collaborative effort rooted in leadership, community insight, and a commitment to a people-centric approach to real estate investing.
Affordable Upstate had placed more than $50 million of investor equity into socially responsible, environmentally enhanced workforce housing assets, resulting in a diverse and thriving portfolio with more than 1,450 apartment units that satisfy the expectations of residents, investors, and communities.
Led by CEO Mario Brown, Affordable Upstate has helped change the way people in the region look at affordable housing. They aim to identify assets in markets with strong multifamily fundamentals, employment growth, population growth and other key demand drivers. All the properties they acquire possess value-add characteristics that include the ability to reposition the asset through capital improvements and upgrades, renovating the interior units, improving operations, decreasing expenses and creating other revenue-generating projects.
“Our mission is to modernize and preserve naturally occurring affordable housing in the Upstate of South Carolina by investing in communities that are as equally fulfilling for our residents as they are strategic for our investors,” Brown said.
Natasha Cummings has been selected as dean of workforce partnerships and student success at Greenville Technical College (GTC). Natasha will serve as the senior administrative leader responsible for advancing workforce partnerships, student career success, and external engagement strategies for the college.
Natasha served as director of experiential learning at GTC prior to her new role, leading the college’s efforts to connect students with meaningful, career-aligned opportunities through apprenticeships, co-ops, and technical scholar programs while serving as a key liaison between business and industry, academic divisions, and student services. Prior to her work in higher education, she served as regional public relations officer for South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Disability Determination Services, building and managing strategic relationships with healthcare providers, leading training and recruiting initiatives, and delivering presentations to senior-level stakeholders across the region.
Natasha earned a master’s degree in business administration along with bachelor’s degrees in both sociology and history from Winthrop University. She is also a graduate of the South Carolina Technical College System Leadership Academy.
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Countybank
Countybank announced that Aaron Dover has joined its Trust Department as vice president and Trust Officer at its Simpsonville office, serving clients throughout the Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg areas.
Dover has served clients in the Upstate for the past eight years, managing sizable assets and complex trust and estate matters, as well as serving clients in Georgia and North Carolina. He brings extensive experience in trust and estate administration, including the review of trust and estate tax returns and generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) matters, and works closely with local attorneys, financial advisors, and CPAs to help clients navigate these complexities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Aaron to Countybank and look forward to working closely with him,” said Shellie Miller, senior vice president and senior Trust Officer. “His expertise and professionalism will be a great benefit to both the bank and the clients we serve.”
Aaron earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management from Presbyterian College, graduating magna cum laude, with honors, in the top 5% of his class. He also obtained his Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) certification in February 2024 and completed advanced professional education through Cannon Financial Institute’s Trust School I, II, and III.
Aaron Dover is located at Countybank’s Simpsonville office at 309 SE Main Street. He resides in the Upstate with his wife, Kristen, and their daughter. He serves as Treasurer on the Board of Thornwell Charter School and is a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council.
For more information on Countybank and its commitment to serving the Upstate of South Carolina since 1933, visit ecountybank.com or follow Countybank on Facebook and Instagram.
Amanda Morgan has been named dean of workforce development and professional advancement at Greenville Technical College. In her new role, Amanda will serve as the senior administrative leader responsible for operational oversight, workforce program execution, revenue generation, and industry-aligned training initiatives.
Part of the college’s Corporate and Continuing Education division since 2023, Amanda has served as corporate and community engagement director, overseeing Quick Jobs and providing continuing education resources to company partners while assisting all departments with enrollment initiatives. She previously worked as a career services specialist for ITT Technical Institute and as director for the Office of Career Services and Student Employment with Lander University.
Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in business administration from Clemson University. She is also a LERN certified contract trainer, Opportunity Greenville participant, and Leadership Greenwood graduate.
As manufacturers across the Upstate continue to face demand for highly skilled workers, Strategic Development Group (SDG) is investing in the region’s future talent. The firm has committed a $10,000 gift to the Greenville Tech Foundation to fund scholarships for students preparing for careers in advanced manufacturing at Greenville Technical College (GTC).
The funding will support students enrolled in Mechatronics, CNC Programming and Operations program, and the Bachelor of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing Technology — programs designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into one of South Carolina’s most vital industries.
Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the Upstate economy, driving job creation and regional growth. According to a recent economic impact study, Greenville Technical College generates nearly $933 million in annual economic output and supports more than 5,700 jobs, highlighting the college’s role in developing the workforce local employers depend on.
“From our work with manufacturers across the country, we see firsthand how critical a skilled, job-ready workforce is to successful growth and expansion in a local economy,” said Jeannette Goldsmith, president of Strategic Development Group. “We are pleased to play a role in preparing talent for today’s advanced manufacturing environment, and we’re proud to support students who will help power the Upstate’s economic future.”
As a nationally recognized corporate site selection and incentive negotiation firm, SDG works closely with companies expanding or relocating operations, many within the manufacturing sector. This vantage point gives the firm direct insight into the workforce challenges employers face and the importance of aligning education with industry needs.
GTC’s Center for Manufacturing Innovation prepares students through hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum, and real-world problem-solving experiences, enabling graduates to contribute on day one.
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Family Trust Federal Credit Union
Family Trust Federal Credit Union is celebrating one year of serving the Greenville community.
Since opening on Laurens Road, Family Trust has focused on giving back through volunteerism, community partnerships, and financial literacy programs.
“Expanding in Greenville has been an exciting milestone for our credit union,” said Ryan Harvey, president and CEO of Family Trust. “We are proud to serve the Upstate community and help our members achieve their financial goals.”
To celebrate, Family Trust will host Free Coffee Friday on April 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at its Greenville branch. The public is invited to attend at 1800 Laurens Road, Greenville, South Carolina.