The first Black president of Midlands Technical College has announced plans to retire after eight years in the job.

Ronald Rhames, who has worked at the college for a total of 33 years, plans to continue as president through June 30 of next year, the school announced in a release. He spent the two years before he was first hired at the school as a student there.

Throughout his time as president, Rhames has put an emphasis on fostering programs to empower students to find jobs and bolster employers during ongoing labor shortages through different programs.

At his 2023 “State of the State” address, Gov. Henry McMaster invited Rhames and a student to attend, recognizing Midlands Tech under his leadership as being emblematic of what could be accomplished with the $78 million in lottery funds he was pushing to be invested to expand Workforce Scholarships for the Future through the state Technical College System, a testament to the esteem Rhames’ work is held in throughout the Midlands and the state at large. 

“We met our mission and our mission really helped the economic vitality of our community [with] workforce development by preparing students to be the very best at what they do,” Rhames said. “Be it a nursing student or a student that goes to work in manufacturing or any other industry or institution to go on to other types of careers that we support.”

“We do that by providing a quality education in addition to that accessible and affordable education for students,” he added.

According to a release, Rhames is the first graduate of any state technical college to become the president of one of those institutions. He previously served as senior vice president and CEO for Midlands Tech.

Rhames told the Chronicle that he is very proud of his accomplishments on the job, saying that Midlands Tech provided him the fundamentals to make it happen and prepared him for a rewarding career.

When asked why he was leaving, the president said it’s time for him to focus on other things in life, including his family, friends, traveling and other things he enjoys. He did state that he still plans on being engaged with the college, this time from an alumni perspective.

“I think college has been a great place and I feel really good about where we are as an institution and what we're doing to support the workforce development and economic development in our community,” he said.

Last year, Rhames received an Excellence in Education award from the NAACP Columbia Chapter, which was given to him to recognize the significant contribution that he as an educator has had in the profession and community.

Lexington County leadership emphasized the impact the president has made locally.

“I would like to thank Dr. Rhames for his leadership and commitment to the quality workforce training that Midlands Tech has provided the central Midlands region for many, many years,” County Council Member Todd Cullum said in a statement. “Dr. Rhames and the entire Midlands Tech faculty and staff have been a superb partner with the Lexington County Economic Development’s office recruitment efforts and retention of businesses.”

“Dr. Rhames has always been a force for the greater good; his multitude of achievements will leave a lasting legacy that will surely change the life trajectory of many who know him. Lexington County Council, both current & former, celebrate the years of partnership, applaud his good works & wish him the best as he embarks on the next leg of his journey,” County Council Chair Beth Carrigg said in a statement. “Thank you Dr. Rhames for your commitment to education & your service to our community!”

Rhames told the Chronicle that one of the college’s accomplishments that stands out to him is the opening of the 500-seat Harbison Theatre at the Irmo campus, located on the Harbison campus at 7300 College St. in Irmo, saying that Midlands Tech is the only technical college to have a full-fledged theater.

“I'm really proud of that facility and what it’s doing for the local students,” he said, adding that the theater has become a prominent venue in the Irmo, Chapin and Central Midlands area.

Recently, Rhames oversaw the rollout of Midlands Tech’s Heavy Equipment Operator program, which added simulators to aid in training. At a March 9 event announcing the program, Christy Hall, the state's secretary of transportation, emphasized its importance, saying the need for heavy equipment operators in the state has never been greater, adding that knowing how to run and operate this equipment is critical in response and recovery operations.

Earlier this year, Midlands Tech was selected as one five colleges selected to participate in a Primsia Health pilot nursing recruitment program. The program is set to eventually provide up to 120 nursing school scholarships with up to 210 students and will expand to additional schools, with hopes to alleviate continued nurse shortages in the state.

“We are very appreciative of Dr. Rhames’s service and his commitment to providing a quality technical education to the citizens of the Midlands. Through his strong leadership, Midlands Technical College has evolved to become the college it is today,” Tim Hardee, president of the SC Technical College System, said in a statement provided to the Chronicle. “His influence has extended past his geographical service area. Dr. Rhames has spearheaded workforce development initiatives across multiple colleges and served as a mentor to fellow college presidents across the state.  His time at Midlands Technical College and in the System is measurable not only in years but also in the countless lives he’s positively impacted.”