Kenneth Lott’s path to higher education and post-secondary success took a circuitous route rather than a traditional one, yet in his new position as director of the Aiken County Career and Technology Center for the 2018-19 school year he would not have it any other way.
As an educator, he views his own experiences as a true asset in his mission to guide students toward their chosen college and career path and a future as a productive community member.
"Being a non-traditional student myself coming out of high school, I understand what many of our students, especially those who may be undecided about their future plans, are going through,” Lott stated. “I joined the South Carolina Army National Guard, then attended Aiken Technical College and later worked in a production manufacturing facility in Aiken. I worked through the ranks there, and became a supervisor and completed my undergraduate degree and graduate degree in business. Those experiences helped me be a better teacher and administrator when I started my career in education, and they will help me again in this new role with Aiken County Public Schools because I have seen both sides of the spectrum.”
Aiken County Board of Education members approved Lott’s appointment as the new director of the Aiken County Career and Technology Center for the 2018-19 school year during a regularly scheduled meeting May 8.
Lott currently serves as the Program Specialist for Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) for the Richmond County School System, a position he has held since 2016.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity,” Lott stated Tuesday. “For me it is like the best of both worlds. You have the opportunity to be a building administrator and have that interaction with students and staff, while also helping to shape our future workforce and oversee one of the most critical components in education, and that is career development. It is really about ensuring that we are preparing our students for life beyond high school.”
Lott’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C., and a Masters of Business Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also holds an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Cambridge College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
“We know all of our students are not going to attend a college or university, but that does not mean that all of our students cannot be successful,” Lott commented. “A plumber, someone who works in heating and air conditioning, or someone working in the automotive industry can make just as much as a school administrator. These folks have unique skills, earn a great living for their families, contribute to the community tax base and contribute to the overall well-being and efficiency of a community just as much as an engineer or an attorney.”
“What we have to do is provide the opportunities for our students to allow them to find the areas that appeal to them and the areas in which they are most comfortable, rather than trying to push them in one direction or another,” Lott added.
Prior to serving in his current role in public education in Richmond County, Lott served as an assistant principal at Langford Middle School in Augusta, Georgia, and as leader of the school’s summer educational programs. He also served as a summer school administrator and lead teacher at the Academy of Richmond County, in addition to teaching experience at A.R. Johnson Health, Science and Engineering Magnet School and East Augusta Middle School (currently Hornsby K-8 School).
His business experience includes work as a Cost Analyst, and Project Assistant and Production Operator for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, alongside nearly a decade of military experience as an Automated Logistical Specialist for the S.C. Army National Guard.
“I am just excited to be a part of the great work taking place here in Aiken County and have the opportunity to further enhance that work,” Lott stated.
Lott will begin his duties as director of the Aiken County Career and Technology Center in July.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2018 PR CAREER CENTER DIRECTOR