Shawn D. Foster, Ed.D., is the superintendent of Orangeburg’s newly-consolidated school district. He comes to Orangeburg with more than two decades of experience in school and district transformation. He has served in varied educational leadership roles, beginning first as a school counselor at an alternative school-Whitlock Flexible Learning Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He served as an assistant principal at Dorman High School, then was named principal at Fairforest Middle School. During his second year there, the school’s performance rating improved from below average to average. In 2009, he transitioned to Whitlock Jr. High School and became principal of one of the state’s first “Turn Around Schools.” In just one year, the school’s academic performance improved in ALL grade levels, and student discipline referrals were reduced by 77%.

Most recently, Dr. Foster served as the Deputy Superintendent/Chief Officer of Operations and Student Services in Aiken County Public Schools, a role he held from 2015 until accepting the position to serve as our Superintendent in June of 2020. In his previous role, he oversaw Aiken’s departments of Facilities and Maintenance, Educational Technology, Student Services, Health Services, Transportation, Homebound, Counseling Services and Alternative Services, in addition to managing the oversite of the district’s bond referendums.

Facing the difficulties of the pandemic and embarking on a path forward, Dr. Foster has led a vast effort to keep students and staff safe while providing the highest levels of instruction for students. Despite the pandemic, Orangeburg County students have continued to excel in learning while launching new initiatives and programs that will advance the educational opportunities for our community’s students.  

Dr. Foster has a degree in Social Work from Livingstone College, an opportunity made possible by a full football scholarship. He earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Webster University and subsequently enrolled at Columbia College, where he pursued a Master of Education Degree. In succeeding years of study, he earned a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from South Carolina State University right here in Orangeburg.

In 2016, he was named an Aiken Standard Young Professional to Follow, and is the proud recipient of the Inez M. Tenenbaum Leadership Award from the School Leadership Executive Institute for his belief in a team-first approach to leadership and strategic planning.

Dr. Foster has been married to the love of his life, Tanya, for the past 15 years and they have two children.  The family recently sold their home in Aiken and building has begun on their new home in Orangeburg.

Read more about our Superintendent on the Superintendent's Office page. 

Dr. Liana Calloway earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Special Education from South Carolina State University (SCSU), Orangeburg, SC; a Master of Education from Cambridge College, Newton, MA; an Educational Specialist (ED.S.) Educational Leadership, Concentration in Special Education from South Carolina State University (SCSU), Orangeburg, SC and a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from South Carolina State University (SCSU), Orangeburg, SC.
 
Dr. Calloway began her career as a Special Education Teacher.  She matriculated to leadership by serving as a Special Education Teacher on Site, Curriculum Coordinator and a Curriculum Consultant.  She later became  the Director of Special Education in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Three. After Orangeburg Consolidated School Districts 3, 4 and 5 consolidated, she served as the Chief Officer of Special Education from 2019-2020.  In 2020, she became the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for Orangeburg County School District.
 
Dr. Calloway strives to fulfill the needs of the students in Orangeburg County School District.  She is always available for parent and student concerns and goes above and beyond to ensure the student's needs are met.

Email Dr. Calloway

The Department of Student Services 

Dr. Andress Carter-Sims was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She attended K-12 public schools and graduated from W. J. Keenan High School. She received her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters in Environmental Science from the University of South Carolina. Her studies also include an Education Specialist Degree from Cambridge University, as well as an Education Doctorate in Early Childhood Education. For over 28 years she has served as a classroom teacher, Title I Science and Math Consultant, Technology Consultant, Accountability Coordinator, Director of School Improvement, Assistant Principal, and Principal. During her free time you will find her enjoying family and friends, reading, traveling, developing her green thumb, and being creative with her hands. A quote that she lives by is, “This life is like a camera, just focus on what is important by capturing and cherishing the good times; Develop from the negatives and if things do not work out, just take another shot."

Email Mrs. Carter-Sims

The Department of Curriculum & Instruction 

Gail Sanders previously served as the District’s Director of Finance. Prior to consolidation, she served for six years in a similar position titled Business Manager for what was Orangeburg County Consolidated School District Three. Former roles spanning nearly three decades in Orangeburg Three include that of Payroll Bookkeeper, Benefits Administrator, and District Secretary.

Sanders received her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, from Claflin University in 1988, and a master’s in human resource management from Webster University in 2007. She is a certified South Carolina School Business Official and is a member of both the South Carolina and Southeastern Associations of School Business Officials. 

As Assistant Superintendent, Sanders will lead all aspects of Orangeburg County School District’s Finance Division, including payroll, procurement, and budgeting. Sanders is looking forward to serving on the District’s Senior Staff, while offering other leaders within the finance division her dedicated support and expertise.

Email Ms. Sanders

The Finance Department 

Robert (Bob) Grant, Jr. was born in Greenville, South Carolina and moved to Detroit, Michigan as an infant.  He then moved back to Greenville in middle school and completed high school in the upstate of SC. Grant obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA)degree in Communications and Journalism from the University of South Carolina - Spartanburg. He completed both his Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Administration and Supervision from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Mr. Grant is currently in his 21st year in education.
 
Grant’s career in education started in the classroom. He taught 4th grade for 2 years, 5th grade for 2 years, he spent 5 years as an assistant principal. Next, he spent 8 years as a principal in multiple school districts. He then moved to working at the District level serving as the Executive Director of Human Resources and then the Chief Human Resource Services Officer with the former Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5.  Mr. Grant is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Operations with Orangeburg County School District.

In his free time, Grant, a husband and father to two, spends most of his time attending athletic, dance and cheer events for his kids. The family enjoys spending time traveling and riding thrill rides at amusement parks.
 
Grant finds professional inspiration from the Theodore Roosevelt quote, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming... and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly..."

Email Mr. Grant

The Operations Department 

Mr. Ernest Holiday earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Presbyterian College and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Winthrop University.  
He has been an educator for 25 years serving as a special education teacher, assistant principal, principal and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.  

Email Mr. Holiday

The Human Resources Department 

Dr. Taylor is a 20-year education communications veteran and will be leading and supporting the communications and technology program for the district. 

Before joining OCSD, Dr. Taylor served Charleston County School District for nearly ten years, with her most recent position as the District's Chief of Staff. 

Dr. Taylor’s responsibilities included but were not limited to all internal and external communications, governmental relations, partnerships, Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests, grants, intercultural relations, family and community engagement efforts, translation services, and provided counsel to the Superintendent and district leaders. Before joining CCSD, Dr. Taylor served at South Carolina State University from 2002-2012. 

Active in the community, Dr. Taylor is the chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Charleston Urban League and serves on the board of the Charleston Leadership Foundation and the board of the Lowcountry Food Bank. 

She is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America, a Paul Harris Fellow in the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston, an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. member, and a member of The Charleston (SC) Chapter of the Links Incorporated. She attends First Baptist Church on James Island, S.C. 

Dr. Taylor holds a Doctor of Education degree from Charleston Southern University, a Master of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional English from South Carolina State University. She also has a certificate in fundraising from the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University. 

She is married to Major Nathaniel Taylor Jr. and the mother of three beautiful children – Nathaniel (Trey) III, Jaxon Evan, and Lacee Christina.

Email Dr. Taylor

The Department of Communications, Business & Community Partnerships 

Jesse Washington, III, Ph.D., is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. He attended and graduated from Richland County School District Two Schools and received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lander University in 1995.  He completed both his Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2003 and 2006. 

Dr. Washington is currently in his 20^th year in educational career, which began in the classroom.  He taught middle school math and science, before transitioning into an assistant principal position, and later serving as a school principal in Oconee and Lexington counties.  Dr. Washington has held several district-level positions, including Public Relations in Beaufort County and Chief Human Resource Services Officer in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5.  After five years in HR, he was appointed Superintendent, leading the central area of the county’s schools for four years up until the districts consolidated. 

Dr. Washington currently serves as Ombudsman for Orangeburg County School District and helps parents, employees and students resolve any concerns that they may have. 

In his free time, Dr. Washington enjoys watching tennis legend Serena Williams and spending time with his family and friends.   

Dr. Washington finds strength and influence from a small reminder, “moral courage.”  

Email Dr. Washington 

Office of the Ombudsman