Longtime Greenwood County principal brings decades of school leadership to Piedmont Technical College Area Commission

Before ending his tenure on the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Area Commission, retired educator Charles L. “Chuck” Graves reached out to former colleague Roger Richburg to gauge his interest in joining the college’s governing body.

Graves, who had become acquainted with Richburg while they worked for Greenwood County School District 50, described the former elementary school principal as a critical thinker, strong decision-maker and all-around “good guy.”

Richburg “is a visionary,” Graves said. “He loves this community and just wants to do something positive.”

When Richburg expressed a willingness to serve, Graves submitted his name as a candidate for the seat that he had held for eight years. Based on a recommendation from the Greenwood County Legislative Delegation, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Richburg to the 12-member Area Commission.

As the commission’s newest member, Richburg said he wants to support PTC’s leadership, faculty and staff in “working with students to maximize their education.”

He said he is impressed with PTC’s wide array of academic programs.

“I know they're good programs, and I want to make sure they continue to be quality programs that meet the needs of the students,” Richburg said.

Richburg also spoke highly of PTC’s ambitious building campaign, which includes the ongoing construction of the Self Regional Healthcare Center for Health Sciences and the Family Life and Conference Center on the Greenwood Campus and the Saluda Center for Manufacturing Excellence on the Saluda County Campus.

“It's a wonderful thing that the school is putting forth an effort to expand for students so that they will be able to be comfortable in their environment and be in a modern space,” he said. “If you're growing, that shows you're doing something right.”

Richburg has personal experience with the state’s technical college system. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, earning an associate degree in business administration.

Richburg, who grew up in Bamberg, recalled feeling “kind of overwhelmed” when he started his collegiate career.

“But those people at that college – faculty and staff, even the custodian – treated me with respect. They answered my questions. They gave me guidance. And after a while I felt like family,” he said, adding that it is important for PTC students to receive the same level of support.

Richburg has a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from South Carolina State University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He received his Master of Science degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

He worked as an elementary school teacher in Orangeburg, as well as an evening supervisor at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. Richburg also was an assistant principal at Hickory Tavern Elementary and Middle School in Laurens County.

Greenwood County School District 50 hired Richburg in 2000. He spent the next 14 years as a principal at four elementary schools. Richburg concluded his career as principal at Hodges Elementary School, where he initiated the Greenwood School of Inquiry, a program designed to cultivate inquisitive, expressive students prepared to achieve their individual life goals.

Through a career marked by a steady, student-centered leadership style rooted in accountability, instructional excellence and community engagement, Richburg took part in literacy reform initiatives, mathematics and science coaching programs and leadership institutes.

“I miss the students,” Richburg said. “I miss seeing those kids learn and grow and discover something new.”

In addition to duties as a member of the PTC Area Commission, Richburg stays busy as a musical performer. He is the singer for The Mighty Kicks, a high-energy dance, party and wedding band. One of the band’s recent gigs was headlining the entertainment at the 80th annual North Carolina Apple Festival last month in Hendersonville.