Education roundup

Recent education announcements across Beaufort County and the Lowcountry include school leadership changes, statewide recognition, scholarship honors and career training milestones.

BCSD names two new principals
Beaufort County School District has named new principals for Lady’s Island Middle School and H.E. McCracken Middle School for the 2026-27 school year.

Dr. Kyctrell Swinton-Atkins, currently assistant principal at Beaufort High School, will lead Lady’s Island Middle School. She replaces Dr. Chavon Browne, who accepted a deputy superintendent position in Colleton County.

Swinton-Atkins has nearly 20 years of experience in education, including 16 years in Beaufort County schools.

Aimee Whitesell, currently assistant principal at Battery Creek High School, was named principal of H.E. McCracken Middle School. She replaces Roger Ward, who has been promoted to BCSD executive director.

Hilton Head Prep names baseball coach
Hilton Head Preparatory School has named Hiram Rodriguez as head coach of the varsity baseball program.

Rodriguez succeeds longtime coach Chris Wells, who retired.
Rodriguez brings more than eight years of coaching experience with youth and high school athletes in the Lowcountry. He has spent the past six years as an assistant coach in Hilton Head Prep’s baseball program and was part of the Dolphins’ 2025 SCISA state championship season.

BJACE earns Boeing certification
Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence has become the first high school in South Carolina to receive certification through Boeing’s Pre-Employment Training Program.

The certification applies to the academy’s Automotive Technology, Auto Collision, Building Construction and Electricity programs through Aug. 1, 2028.

Students who complete certified programs and receive instructor endorsement may bypass Boeing’s traditional interview process and move directly into the company’s hiring pipeline for selected manufacturing jobs.

BJACE officials said the certification creates accelerated employment opportunities for students pursuing careers in manufacturing and technical fields.

USCB professor wins book award
A book written by University of South Carolina Beaufort professor Deborah J. Cohan has received national recognition.

Cohan’s book, “The Complete U: Over 100 Lessons for Success in and out of the College Classroom,” was named the top education and academic book for 2026 by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Cohan is a sociology professor at USCB and a writer for Psychology Today and HigherEdJobs.

Cross Schools student earns national scholarship

Rangel is one of 105 high school juniors selected nationwide for the honor.

The scholarship provides up to $25,000 for higher education and recognizes students for academic achievement, leadership and perseverance in overcoming adversity.

Recipients also receive individualized college coaching and support through the Horatio Alger Association’s College Success Program.

Pritchardville Elementary earns state award
Pritchardville Elementary School has received the 2026 Data Trailblazer Award from the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee.

The school was one of three selected statewide for the award.
The recognition honors schools for effective use of data to improve student outcomes, support family engagement and promote data-informed decision-making.

District officials said the award reflects the school’s focus on student achievement and continuous improvement.