Denmark Tech Names Marci Middleton as Vice President of Academic Affairs

Denmark Technical College named Marci Middleton, Ph.D., as its new vice president of academic affairs, the college announced through its official account, adding a veteran academic administrator whose career spans Georgia's university system, a historically Black college, and multiple faculty development roles across the Southeast.

"I am honored to join Denmark Technical College at such an important time for the institution," Middleton said. "I look forward to partnering with faculty and staff to strengthen academic programs, support innovative teaching and create learning experiences that help our students succeed and reach their full potential."

In the role, Middleton will provide strategic leadership for Denmark Tech's academic programs, advance faculty development and enhance student learning outcomes. The college described her priorities as supporting retention, bolstering completion rates and initiating innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Middleton comes to Denmark from Paine College, where she held two successive leadership positions: associate vice president of academic affairs, overseeing academic programs and support services, and later acting vice president of academic affairs and director of distance education, where she led initiatives to expand academic access and strengthen faculty development. Her career also includes work as a student success specialist at Georgia Gwinnett College, instructional faculty at Shorter University and assistant vice chancellor of academic programs at the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Eric Brown, Ph.D., identified in the college's announcement as president and CEO of Denmark Technical College, praised the hire directly. "Dr. Middleton brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to academic leadership that will strengthen our programs and expand opportunities for student success," Brown said. "Her experience and commitment to academic excellence will help ensure our students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for the workforce and continued achievement."

A note: the college's announcement attributes the endorsement to Eric Brown, Ph.D., as president and CEO, while a separate county source quotes Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr. with the same title. The college has not publicly clarified the current leadership structure, and Denmark Tech's communications office should be contacted for confirmation before this discrepancy is treated as resolved.

The appointment, which the college described as part of "a pattern of strategic leadership hires at Denmark Technical College aimed at building capacity and advancing student achievement," comes at a consequential moment for an institution with deep roots in rural South Carolina. Denmark Tech traces its founding to March 1948, when it opened as the Denmark Branch of the South Carolina Area Trade School System, later becoming Denmark Area Trade School in the 1960s before taking its current name. Today it serves students in Bamberg, Barnwell and Allendale Counties, with a legislated mandate extending to the entire state. As an open-door institution, it offers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates to students from diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Bamberg County Ambassador Joey Preston captured the college's standing in the region plainly: "Denmark Tech has gone through multiple name changes, structure redesigns and leaders, yet it remains and will continue to be a historic gem that shines in Bamberg County and throughout South Carolina.