Clarendon County Adult Education (CCAE) and its director, Lara Kolb, have received national recognition for their commitment to advancing adult education, earning two distinguished awards from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE).
CCAE has been honored with the Excellence in Local Programming Award, a national recognition that highlights outstanding contributions to adult education. The award, presented annually to just one program across the country, acknowledges CCAE’s success in improving educational opportunities for adult learners in Clarendon County.
Kolb, who has led CCAE for seven years, said she applied for the award with confidence in the program’s impact. “I was a little sour about not receiving a Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant last year, so I thought, ‘You know what? We are good. We are worth it.’ So I applied for this one, and we won,” Kolb said. “It was a total shock.”
The award comes with a $2,000 stipend for CCAE to invest in its programs. Kolb attributed the win to the program’s high graduation rates and commitment to helping students transition into postsecondary education and the workforce.
Kolb has also been selected as South Carolina’s State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow (SAAEF) for 2025, a prestigious fellowship program that trains leaders in adult education advocacy. As one of only 50 fellows nationwide, Kolb will receive professional development, participate in policy discussions, and advocate for increased adult education resources. The fellowship includes a year-long training process, with Kolb set to attend national meetings, including a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators.
“I am incredibly honored to represent South Carolina and advocate for adult education at the national level,” Kolb said. “I love this program, and I don’t want it to be the best-kept secret anymore.”
Kolb will travel to the COABE 2025 Conference in Dallas from March 28 to April 2, where she will be recognized for both achievements. As part of the SAAEF fellowship, her travel, lodging, and participation in advocacy training will be fully funded.
COABE, which represents over 82,000 adult educators, provides professional development, advocacy, and resources to advance adult learning programs nationwide. The organization’s mission is to empower educators so that adults can succeed and communities can thrive.
Kolb’s recognition showcases CCAE’s influence on adult education in South Carolina and reinforces the need for ongoing support of programs that create opportunities for non-traditional students.
“We have an incredible staff and a strong community,” Kolb said. “These awards show that what we’re doing in Clarendon County matters.”
For more information about Clarendon County Adult Education, visit their website or contact the local program office in Turbeville.
