Meet breakfast speaker Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, President of Midlands Technical College

July 31, 2019 | Posted By: Connor Watkins

This month's breakfast on Tuesday, August 13 and sponsored by Baker Collision Express will include a keynote on the power of education and its impact on families and society at large.

Who better to speak on this than a man whose journey has led him to be the sixth President of Midlands Technical College (MTC)?

Dr. Ronald L. Rhames began his career with the college in 1990, previously serving as MTC’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He received an associate’s degree in Management from Midlands Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Benedict College, a master’s degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Doctorate of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Rhames served as board chair, National Association of College and University Business Officers; president, Southern Association of College and University Business Officers; president, Community College Business Officers of the United States and Canada; and president and state representative, Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina. He is a published author in several academic journals and professional publications.

In January 2017, Dr. Rhames was inducted into the Richland County School District One Hall of Fame in Columbia, South Carolina. He was named one of the Fifty Most Influential People in the Midlands of South Carolina by the Columbia Business Monthly magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Dr. Rhames was selected as the 1998 International Outstanding Chief Business Officer for Community Colleges by the Community College Business Officers of the United States and Canada.

He is a member of the Columbia Rotary Club, and serves on the boards of directors of Midlands Middle College High School, Midlands Education and Business Alliance, EngenuitySC, Central CarolinaSC Alliance, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill Upstate/Midlands South Carolina, Midlands Technical College Foundation, ex officio, and the American Association of Community Colleges.

Since Dr. Rhames became president, MTC implemented major innovations including a comprehensive strategic planning process that focuses on institutional-wide engagement and execution, service excellence training for all employees, multiple measures for student placement, centralized academic and career advising, and the location of a major industrial tenant on the college’s Enterprise Campus.

Dr. Rhames enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

The breakfast program begins at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13 at RADIUS Church (300 W. Main St.). Admission is $8 and includes entry and meal. See the full Chamber Events Calendar

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