Date Posted/Updated: May 15, 2007

Juanita Simons Scott, Ed.D.

"If I can help someone as I pass this way, then my living will not be in vain."

Dr. Juanita Simons Scott earned her bachelor's degree in Biology from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, a master's degree in Biology from Atlanta University, and a doctorate in Science Education from the University of South Carolina. She completed post doctorate work at the University of South Carolina in Electron Microscopy. She did additional study at North Carolina State University in Microbiology, at Columbia College in Radiation Biology, at Clark College in the Biological, Sociological and Behavioral Aspects of Human Sexuality, and at New York University in Advances in Modern Biological Sciences.

Dr. Scott served with distinction at Benedict College from 1963 to 2001. Her positions included Instructor of Biology, Professor of Biology, Head of the Biology Department, Pre-Med Advisor, Chair of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Chair of the Biological and Physical Sciences Department, Acting Chair of the Division of Arts and Sciences, Acting Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, she served as Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies. She excelled in research in Cellular and Microbiology, published four proceedings on the effects of mercury on tadpole development, and served as a Minority Biomedical Research Support principal investigator. She was Director of the College's Comprehensive Institutional Self-Study from 1999 to its culmination in 2001. Over a period of 35 years of service at Benedict College, Dr. Scott was instrumental in the College being awarded various grants totaling approximately $7 million, of which a singular grant was awarded by the National Science Foundation in the amount of $544,000 in support of the renovation of Alumni Hall.

At Benedict, Dr. Scott served on numerous committees and task forces, including the Admissions, Recruitment and Retention Committee, Advisory Council on Teacher Education, Honorary Degrees Committee, Honors Council, Faculty Manual Committee, College Catalogue Committee, Long Range Computer Use Master Plan Task Force, and Proposal Development Committee. She served two terms as the faculty representative to the Benedict College Board of Trustees.

Dr. Scott's commitment to enhancing the scientific experience for minority students was manifested both at the College and in community outreach programs that she developed. In 1983, she created the Middle School Summer Laboratory Science and Mathematics Enrichment (MSSEP), later named in her honor and still in existence today, to help middle school students with developing competitive science projects. MSSEP later evolved to offering an integrated curriculum of mathematics, a reading/writing laboratory, life an4 physical science laboratories, computer literacy, fine arts, SAT preparation and BSAP (later PACT) preparation. A pivotal component of MSSEP, created in 1987, was the Benedict College Middle School Science Development Program for Upper Elementary and Middle School Teachers (MSSDP), which provided many public school teachers in math, science and technology with specialized skills and teaching strategies.

Included among Dr. Scott's civic affiliations were Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Beta Beta Zeta Chapter; NAACP; Central Midlands Regional Planning Council; Richland County Blue Ribbon Task Force; Columbia Area Chapter, American Red Cross; Columbia Chapter, YWCA; and Columbia Task Force on Crime Prevention. She served also on the Board of Trustees of Clinton Junior College.

Dr. Scott's passion for teaching and research will be forever perpetuated through the continued professional and educational growth and development of young men and women majoring in biology at Benedict College.

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