For Immediate Release
October 10, 2023

Media Contact
Contact: Ashley D. Roseboro
Phone: (202) 524-1663
Email: Communications@b-sc.edu

North Carolina- Barber-Scotia College partners with Skilldora, a state-of-the-art AI Ed-Tech company based in Fort Mill, S. C., known for its history-making modernized app-based eLearning community, to launch certification programs.

Skilldora, an African American company founded by DeMario and Dawn McIlwain, is an accredited e-learning provider, state-of-the-art platform and app that is partnering with Barber-Scotia College to offer continuing education and career skills programs for adult learners. Known for being first in the world to accredit courses taught by digital human AI-generated Instructors, Skilldora specializes in offering AI and other emerging technologies certification programs and is committed to upskilling and reskilling future-forward learners for a modern workforce.

Founders DeMario and Dawn McIlwain stated, “Skilldora takes great pride in playing a substantial role in advancing the educational journey of Barber-Scotia’s learners through our state-of-the-art platform and AI Instructor-Led courses, facilitating online learning experiences that lead to enhanced career outcomes.”

Barber-Scotia is the first Historical Black College and University to use the Skilldora platform as it becomes a leader that appeals to a new world of learners and presents a new and unique opportunity to learn.

President Chris Rey stated, “we are excited to have Skilldora as a partner as we reshape the HBCU experience and the learning environment. I believe that as Barber-Scotia engages more students, with Skilldora, we will be able to meet them where they are.”

The platform will be available for enrollment starting October 23.

Barber-Scotia College was established on January 27, 1867, as Scotia Seminary for African American women in Concord, North Carolina.

In 1916, the name was changed to Scotia Women’s College. In 1930, Barber Memorial College of Anniston, Alabama, merged with Scotia Women’s College. The present name, Barber-Scotia College was adopted in 1932.

On April 2, 1954, the charter of Barber-Scotia College was amended to admit students without regard to ethnicity or gender.

Notable graduates include Mary-McCloud Bethune, Dr. Paulette Dillard, President of Shaw University, and Vivian Ayers Allen, the mother of Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen. The mission of the college has always focused on total student development as etched in the Faith Hall cornerstone: “For Head, Hand and Heart.”