Spartanburg Community College Celebrates Continued Success of Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program Advancing HVAC Education

February 17, 2026

Press Releases

SPARTANBURG, SC - Spartanburg Community College (SCC) is proud to announce the continued success of its Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program, as the College enters the third year of its transformative grant supporting HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) education.

Over the past two years, the grant from Johnson Controls has fueled more than $115,000 in new technology and equipment, along with significant investments in supplies, books, and student support—ensuring SCC’s HVAC programs remain at the forefront of industry standards.

A diverse group of five students is gathered in a brightly lit technical workshop, focused on a hands-on learning project involving an open HVAC unit. A student in the center, wearing a maroon and black windbreaker and clear safety glasses, smiles while carefully working with wires inside the machinery. To his left, another student in a brown cap and safety goggles holds a yellow multimeter

During year one, SCC installed state-of-the-art equipment at the Cherokee County Campus to create a dedicated HVAC lab, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with modern systems. In years one and two, other campuses were equipped with Metasys building automation systems, giving students direct access to the latest technologies used by professionals in the field.

Additionally, in year two, 15 students were awarded professional HVAC toolkits, providing most of the essential tools needed for both classroom instruction and fieldwork. Access to proper tools often represents a major financial hurdle for students entering the skilled trades, making this support especially impactful.

Now in year three, SCC is expanding the toolkit program to include all students enrolled in HVAC programs across both campuses. Although the toolkits have been streamlined to focus on the most used and essential items, they continue to eliminate barriers for students pursuing technical careers.

“Spartanburg Community College is deeply grateful for Johnson Controls' continued investment in our HVAC programs, said Dr. Michael Mikota, President of Spartanburg Community College. “We celebrate the opportunity that this award provides for more students to chase technical careers with confidence gained from a holistic educational experience, knowing they are fully prepared to succeed on day one in their field. The impact on their lives, and on the future workforce of our region, is truly remarkable.”

The grant’s funding is strategically allocated over three years to include:

$150,000 in equipment upgrades and installation
$110,000 in supplies, tuition, fees, and books
$30,000 supporting lunch & learns, curriculum development, training, site visits, and marketing/recruitment initiatives.

“Johnson Controls is committed to developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople from all backgrounds through education, mentorship and real-world readiness,” said Jon Koontz, market general manager with Johnson Controls. “Together with Spartanburg Community College, we’re proud to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workforce expectations, ensuring students are job‑ready on day one and prepared to thrive in a competitive industry.”

To learn more about the partnership program, visit Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program.