After serving 18 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives, Sen. John Scott was elected to the State Senate in 2008. Throughout his distinguished legislative career, Sen. Scott has been a staunch supporter of education programs, infrastructure repair and rebuilding, and the welfare of state employees. He serves on the Senate Finance, Labor, Commerce and Industry, Medical Affairs, Rules, and Transportation Committees.
Sen. Scott is a graduate of C.A. Johnson High School and South Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Economics He is also a graduate of the Diversity Leadership Academy at the Richard E. Riley Institute at Furman University.
His community and military service are exemplified by his participation and involvement in a wide array of community organizations, including the Voorhees College Board of Trustees, South Carolina Military Department Joint Service Detachment, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter was the first African American woman in Orangeburg County ever elected to a state office when she was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1992. She became the first freshman ever appointed to and is now ranking member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. She is a member of the Joint Bond Review Committee.
A native of Gifford, Florida, Rep. Cobb-Hunter holds a B.S. degree in Afro-American History from Florida A&M University, an M.A. degree in American History from Florida State University, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from both the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston and the highly coveted David Wilkins Legislative Leadership Award from the Riley Institute at Furman University.
Rep. Cobb-Hunter has worked on the national, regional and state levels on a variety of progressive issues aimed at making communities a better place for working families to live. Her longstanding commitment to community service is reflected in her active participation on numerous boards and commissions, including vice president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
Both Rep. Cobb-Hunter and Sen. Scott have been champions of the Higher Education Tuition Grants program and the state’s merit scholarship programs throughout their long legislative careers. They believe that providing financial aid to students trying to improve their lives through education is an investment in the future of South Carolina. They also have championed college access and success for low-income and educationally disadvantaged students through their unflinching support of the Higher Education Excellence Enhancement program.
The 2017 SCICU Legislative Champions were honored as part of Independent College and University Day on April 5 when students from South Carolina’s private non-profit colleges and universities met at the State House to thank legislators for providing “Opportunities for Excellence” through student aid programs such as Tuition Grants, LIFE, HOPE, Palmetto Fellows, and Lottery Assistance.