Columbia College Call Me Mister

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

St. Stephen, South Carolina: On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Berkeley County School District and Timberland High School Senior, MiSTER Umah’Re Gourdine signed his letter of commitment to join the Columbia College Call Me MiSTER Program. He plans to major in Elementary Education. MiSTER Gourdine will join countless MiSTERs who have joined the nationally recognized and award winning program. Also in attendance were his mother, Lisa Morant Gourdine, Principal Mr. Michael Wilkerson, advocate and social studies teacher, Ms. Kendra Wilson Ellis, Call Me MiSTER Site Coordinator, Craig King, Former MiSTER President and Timberland High graduate, MiSTER Kristian Sanchez, Current President, MiSTER Evan Goodyear, Timberland High School staff, students, and supporters.

MiSTER Gourdine is heavily involved in his school community. He participated in the JROTC Rifle Team, Palmetto Boys State 2025, and was the 1st Runner-Up to Mr. Timberland High School. According to MiSTER Gourdine, “I feel that the Call Me MISTER Program represents honor, responsibility and respect. I believe I am a great candidate because of my professionalism, my mature conduct, and my dedication to being the best at all times. I am prepared to invest my time and energy that's needed to be well prepared for becoming a part of such a prestigious group.” As a member of Call Me MiSTER, MiSTER Gourdine will receive tuition assistance, an academic support system to help ensure success, a cohort system to ensure social and cultural support, and assistance with job placement.

The Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program is a nationally recognized teacher recruitment and retention initiative dedicated to increasing the number of educators in public schools. Founded in 2000 at Clemson University, the program specifically addresses the shortage of highly qualified teachers to teach in public schools. The program is now in 27 institutions of higher learning in South Carolina and 17 institutions across the country.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Spartanburg, South Carolina: On Monday, May 18, 2026, Spartanburg School District Seven and Spartanburg High School Senior, MiSTER John Sainvil signed his letter of commitment to join the Columbia College Call Me MiSTER Program. He plans to major in Elementary Education. MiSTER Sainvil will join countless MiSTERs who have joined the nationally recognized and award winning program. Also in attendance were his mother, Shonta Kelly, his two brothers and sister, Principal, Dr. Andrew McMillan, AVID Site Coordinator, Natashia Mullins, math teacher, Dr. Brittany Shell, Columbia College Call Me MiSTER Site Coordinator, Craig King, other members of the Spartanburg Seven family,supporters, and students.

MiSTER Sainvil is very involved in his school and community. He has participated in the AVID program, participated on several athletic teams, and volunteered with Kids Club last summer. According to MiSTER Sainvil, “One of the main reasons I want to teach is because I want to make a difference in kids’ lives. I want to create a safe and supportive classroom environment where students know that their voice matters, they are respected, and that they know I’m there when they need me.” As a member of Call Me MiSTER, MiSTER Sainvil will receive tuition assistance, an academic support system to help ensure success, a cohort system to ensure social and cultural support, and assistance with job placement.

The Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program is a nationally recognized teacher recruitment and retention initiative dedicated to increasing the number of educators in public schools. Founded in 2000 at Clemson University, the program specifically addresses the shortage of highly qualified teachers to teach in public schools. The program is now in 27 institutions of higher learning in South Carolina and 17 institutions across the country.

Today, MiSTER Kristian Sanchez and MiSTER Harold Nolan graduated from with degrees in Middle Level Education - Social Studies. We are full of happiness and excitement for the both of them. Fun Fact: They both graduated from Timberland High School. MiSTER Sanchez recruited MiSTER Nolan to join our cohort and they both graduated together! What a wonderful example of true friendship and brotherhood! We are positive they will impact hundreds of students in their careers! Please semd them well wishes and congratulations!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Kershaw, South Carolina: On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Kershaw County School District and North Central High School Senior, MiSTER JaKeem Drakeford signed his letter of commitment to join the Columbia College Call Me MiSTER Program. He plans to major in Elementary Education. MiSTER Drakeford will join countless MiSTERs who have joined the nationally recognized and award winning program. Also in attendance were his mother, Jalessa Drakeford Bess, KCSD Superintendent, Dr. Harrison Goodwin, Principal David Branham, Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Tracy West, Call Me MiSTER Site Coordinator, Craig King, KCSD Executive Director of Communications, Becky Bean, Columbia College Call Me MiSTER President, MiSTER Kristian Sanchez, family, supporters, and students.

MiSTER Drakeford is heavily involved at North Central High School. Some of his accomplishments/achievements include 2025-2026 Mr. North Central, Beta Club, Student Government (4 years), and Kappa League. As a member of Call Me MiSTER, MiSTER Drakeford will receive tuition assistance, an academic support system to help ensure success, a cohort system to ensure social and cultural support, and assistance with job placement.

The Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program is a nationally recognized teacher recruitment and retention initiative dedicated to increasing the number of educators in public schools. Founded in 2000 at Clemson University, the program specifically addresses the shortage of highly qualified teachers to teach in public schools. The program is now in 27 institutions of higher learning in South Carolina and 17 institutions across the country.

Today we celebrated another successful year of Call Me MiSTER at Columbia College. We also honored MiSTER Kristian Sanchez and MiSTER Harold Nolan with two special tokens of appreciation. They were presented with a collage of pictures from their CMM experience and a CMM graduation stole. We are excited about the students they will impact and thankful for the contributions they made to our cohort. We are forever thankful.

We're so proud to share that Dr. GaKyung Jeong, Assistant Professor and Program Chair of Special Education, has been named Columbia College's 2026 recipient of the SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award! 🎉

Dr. Jeong was honored at the annual SCICU Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner earlier this month — recognized alongside outstanding educators from across South Carolina.

Her work preparing future teachers to build inclusive, supportive classrooms for all learners is exactly what makes CC's School of Education special. From reestablishing the College's CEC chapter to leading our Special Education accreditation process, Dr. Jeong shows up for her students and her colleagues every single day.

Congratulations, Dr. Jeong — this one is well-earned. 🐨

Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4edlqGI

Full Day of Call Me MiSTER!

1- MiSTER Sanchez and MiSTER Nolan presented their Directed Teaching presentations in College Place!
2- MiSTERs Singleton, O’Berry, Gibson, Barnette, and Goodyear presented about MiSTER during Spearsfest 2026!
3- The MiSTERs volunteered at the Teacher Signing Event and supported incoming Koalas, MiSTERs, and other high school seniors pursuing education degrees at various institutions across the state!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

On Monday, April 27, 2026, Richland One and Columbia High School Senior, MiSTER Malek Cherry signed his letter of commitment to join the Columbia College Call Me MiSTER Program. He plans to major in Middle Level Education with an emphasis in Social Studies. MiSTER Cherry will join countless MiSTERs who have joined the nationally recognized and award winning program. Also in attendance were his mother, Passion Cherry, JAG Specialist and advocate, Mrs. Latonya Jackson, President of Columbia College, Dr. John Dozier , Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Tracy West , Call Me MiSTER Site Coordinator, Craig King , Columbia College and Lander University Call Me MiSTER Cohorts, supporters, students, and other guests.

MiSTER Malek Cherry is heavily involved in Columbia High School. Some of his accomplishments include the Principal’s Honor Roll (2024-2025), Tennis All-Region (2023-2024, 2024-2025), Legend In The Making For Richland One, Captain of the Tennis Team (2024-2025), Magnet Student of the Month (October 2025), FBLA Member of the Month (December 2025), Teacher Cadet of the Year (2024-2025), and Teacher Cadet National Honor Society Cohort (2024-2025). MiSTER Cherry has already been awarded $1.3 million dollars in scholarships.

The Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program is a nationally recognized teacher recruitment and retention initiative dedicated to increasing the number of educators in public schools. Founded in 2000 at Clemson University, the program specifically addresses the shortage of highly qualified teachers to teach in public schools. The program is in 27 institutions of higher learning in South Carolina and 17 institutions across the country.