Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Awards $20,000 to the Midlands Technical College Foundation

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has given $20,000 to the Midlands Technical College Foundation to pilot the Dual Open Educational Resources (DOER) program. This initiative aims to convert 20 popular dual enrollment courses to an Open Educational Resources (OER) format, benefiting nearly 5,000 high school students in Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield over the next five years.

Dual enrollment allows students to earn both high school and college credit, but textbook costs—averaging $1,500 annually—are a significant financial barrier for many. By replacing costly textbooks with free, accessible OER materials, the DOER program makes higher education more affordable and obtainable.

Courses such as biology, chemistry, and English will be among those converted, helping students save money while enhancing learning through interactive and innovative resources. Dominion Energy’s investment empowers MTC faculty to design dynamic courses that go beyond traditional printed materials and include multimedia material such as interactive simulations.

“MTC is grateful for this investment from Dominion Energy to pilot DOER for students in the Midlands of South Carolina. These resources build critical thinking and writing skills that passive reading and memorization don’t address so students of all learning styles are better enabled to maximize their learning opportunities. High school students who may not otherwise access college credit courses will benefit from this partnership,” said Nancy McKinney, CEO of the Midlands Technical College Foundation. 

“Every student in South Carolina deserves the opportunity to obtain higher education, and expenses such as the cost of a book shouldn’t stop them,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “That’s why it’s so important that we support programs like this at Midlands Technical College to help remove some of the financial barriers. This investment expands options for students who will soon enter our state’s workforce, helping them get the skills and credentials they need to have a successful career and support their families.”

Dr. Greg L. Little, president of Midlands Technical College added, “Partnering with area high schools is a priority for MTC, and the ability to utilize OER helps relieve some of the financial burden on school districts while making college credit available to more students. We appreciate Dominion Energy’s willingness to support this project.”

About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) provides regulated electricity service to 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and regulated natural gas service to 500,000 customers in South Carolina; is one of the nation’s leading developers and operators of regulated offshore wind and solar power; and is the largest producer of carbon-free electricity in New England. Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed $46.7 million in 2023 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.

About Midlands Technical College Foundation (MTCF)
The MTCF is a 501c3 organization that builds and sustains relationships resulting in charitable gifts that support MTC. Gifts and grants to the MTCF help ensure student access to quality education and training, enhance facilities and equipment, and improve the lives of students, faculty and staff, and the broader Midlands community. More at MIDLANDSTECH.EDU/about/mtc-foundation.