January 17, 2025
Columbia College proudly announces the appointment of two esteemed faculty members, Dr. Gretchen M. Whitman and Dr. Marla Sanders, to the State Board of Education’s Professional Review Committee (PRC), with their terms ending in December 2027. The PRC is responsible for reviewing educator preparation programs, recommending policies, and serving as the accreditation council for private institutions aligned with national standards.
Dr. Gretchen M. Whitman, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education and Chair of the Middle-Level Education program at Columbia College, holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Arts in Teaching K-12 Spanish from Kent State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and History from Tulane University. With over 25 years of teaching experience, she has made significant contributions to secondary education and teacher preparation.
Since joining the College in 2022, Dr. Whitman has advanced teacher education through research, presentations, and publications. Her commitment to mentoring future educators is reflected in collaborative student projects, including manuscripts published by the Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina in December 2024. Her research explores critical issues such as representation in history education and the effects of book bans on student learning.
Dr. Marla Sanders, Professor and Director of the Alternative Pathways for Educator Certification (APEC) Center, has been a dedicated teacher educator for more than fifteen years. Dr. Sanders earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Columbia College.
A former middle school social studies and English language arts teacher, Dr. Sanders has contributed to state and national education organizations, including the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP), the South Carolina Association of Teacher Educators, and the South Carolina Professors of Middle-Level Education. As Director of the APEC Center, Dr. Sanders has written and been awarded approximately $5 million dollars in state, federal, and nonprofit grants to grow program enrollment and provide tuition support for APEC Fellows. Her research, published in leading journals such as Multicultural Learning and Teaching and the Journal of Latinos and Education, focuses on policies affecting students from minority groups.
The appointment of Dr. Whitman and Dr. Sanders highlights Columbia College’s leadership in preparing educators who shape the future of education in South Carolina and beyond.