Aiken Technical College Vice President to Retire After 27 Years of Service in SC Technical College System

Dr. S. Vinson Burdette, Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs, will retire on April 1 from Aiken Technical College (ATC) after serving more than 27 years in the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS).

“I am very grateful for my work experiences at Aiken Technical College and for the many positive relationships that have been cultivated,” said Burdette. “The College has strong leadership, commitment to students, solid plans for continued improvement, and an appealing organizational culture. I am impressed with the number of employees who are continuing their education through enrollment in degree programs at all levels and am optimistic about the future of ATC.”

Burdette has held multiple roles since joining ATC in 2011, including Dean of Student Development, Dean of Enrollment Services, Interim Dean of Enrollment Services & Financial Aid, Vice President of Enrollment Management, and Vice President of Student Affairs & Marketing.

Before ATC, he was employed for 16 years with Tri-County Technical College (TCTC). There, his positions included Counselor, Coordinator of Counseling, English instructor, Interim English Department Chair, Director of Admissions, Associate Dean of Counseling, and Dean of Student Development.

“It has been an honor to serve in a variety of roles with two colleges in the SCTCS. Both colleges have provided me with opportunities to serve others as well as to apply and increase my faith, commitment, and resourcefulness,” Burdette stated. “I appreciate the support that my family and others have provided over the decades, especially my wife, Carla. As I reflect on my career, I realize that whenever challenges loomed large, opportunities were also present though less visible. For both the challenges and the opportunities, I am thankful.”

Although he is retiring from ATC, his career in higher education will continue in Georgia starting April 4 as the Vice President of Student Affairs at North Georgia Technical College. His responsibilities will include providing leadership for the college’s student affairs areas, serving as a Title IX Coordinator, and overseeing residence life for students.

The opportunity also brings him closer to where his family lives in Anderson, SC, and offers opportunities to explore his interests in outdoor activities and recreation, he added.

As Burdette begins the next chapter of his career, he continues to be motivated by the impact of higher education.

“The higher education environment is stimulating and appealing to me because it encourages students to explore their potential, offers a structured framework for goal-setting and progress monitoring, and contributes positively to society,” he said. “Working in higher education presents me with opportunities to fulfill my passion of improving students’ quality of life through education and service.”