Orangeburg County School District proudly announces that Dr. Sharon Frances Hampton, Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention, has been selected as the 2025 District Level Personnel of the Year by the South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators (SCABSE). This distinguished honor celebrates her exemplary leadership, decades of service, and unwavering commitment to advancing excellence in public education. Dr. Hampton will be formally recognized at the SCABSE Jazz Brunch, an annual signature event that supports scholarship funding for college-bound high school seniors, in June.

With more than 31 years of service in education, Dr. Hampton’s career reflects an extraordinary legacy of impact. She began her journey as a classroom teacher at St. James-Gaillard Elementary in Eutawville, SC, and later taught at Whittaker Elementary School. Her gift for connecting with students led her to Holly Hill-Roberts Middle School as a guidance counselor. From there, she advanced into school leadership, serving as assistant principal at Bethune-Bowman Elementary and principal at both Brookdale Elementary School and Robert E. Howard Middle School. She also served as a high school guidance counselor at The Orangeburg Technology Center.

Currently, Dr. Hampton serves as the Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention for OCSD, where she leads efforts to attract and support high-quality educators and staff across the district. Her work is instrumental in ensuring students have access to excellent instruction in every classroom.

“Dr. Hampton is a true pillar of this district,” said OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn D. Foster. “Her strength, wisdom, and heart for students have left a lasting mark on every school she’s served. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful that her contributions are being recognized statewide.”

A graduate of Claflin University, Dr. Hampton holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She also earned two Master’s degrees from South Carolina State University—in Elementary Education and in Elementary and Secondary Guidance—and received her Doctorate in School Administration in 2007.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Hampton is a faithful member of Victory Tabernacle Deliverance Temple of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Known for her deep compassion and belief in the power of authenticity, she often shares her guiding principle: “Let no one or nothing stand in your way to success.”

The entire Orangeburg County School District congratulates Dr. Sharon Frances Hampton on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for her continued leadership, integrity, and commitment to student achievement.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Erica S. Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for Communications and Business and Community Partnerships, at erica.taylor@ocsdsc.org or 839-356-4040.