From the Classroom to Community Leadership, Erin Long is Making an Impact

For Erin Long, the path to a fulfilling career didn’t require traveling far from home—it required finding a place that believed in her potential. Today, as the Director of Communication and Community Engagement for the Hampton County School District, Erin spends her days shaping the narrative of local education, designing digital content, and building bridges across the community.

It is a career built on a foundation of service, education, and leadership—a journey that began sixteen years ago at USC Salkehatchie.

Finding a Purpose Close to Home

When Erin was preparing to graduate from high school, she faced a choice familiar to many students: leave the community to pursue a degree, or find a way to balance her professional dreams with financial reality.

"When I was leaving high school, I knew that going off to college and accumulating tons of debt was not what I wanted for my life," Erin said. "Salkehatchie had an Elementary Education program, and I knew teaching was what I wanted to do."

The program at USC Salkehatchie allowed Erin to live at home, work, and graduate without the crushing burden of student debt. Just as important, it kept her deeply connected to the community she loved. By completing her practicums and student teaching in local classrooms, Erin was able to begin making a tangible difference long before graduation day.

"Without this opportunity at Salk, I would have never been able to afford a college degree and would have never been able to work my dream job." 

Faculty Who Saw the Future

Erin’s time at USC Salkehatchie was shaped by professors who did more than just lecture—they inspired and mentored. She still attributes much of her own teaching and communication style to the boisterous, captivating storytelling of Professor Joe Siren.

"He had this way of teaching that made you feel like you were in the moment," Erin recalls. "Siren would tell stories in his big, boisterous voice, and somehow, no matter the topic, I would feel like they were relatable—like I was right in the action."

She also found a champion in her education advisor, Mr. Buddy Phillips, who surprised her by presenting her with the Educational Consortium Award during her studies.

"At the time I was proud, but couldn’t understand why he chose me; there were lots of great candidates," Erin admits. "Mr. Phillips could see leadership in me long before I was able to recognize it in myself. I’m grateful he pushed me to always do my best!"

A Legacy of Impact

After graduating from USC Salkehatchie in 2010, Erin’s passion for learning led her to earn a Master’s in Information Science from USC Columbia. Now in her sixteenth year as an educator and administrator, the investment she made in her hometown has come full circle.

Before transitioning into her current district-wide leadership role, Erin spent years directly impacting young lives in the classroom. Today, many of her former elementary students are adults building successful careers of their own as lawyers, doctors, and military service members.

"Many of them still stay in contact, and it’s humbling to know that my small time with them has created such a mark in their lives," Erin says. "Without my time at Salk, I would not have been able to make this impact."

Faith, Family, and the Next Adventure

When she isn't managing websites, designing content, or leading community outreach initiatives for Hampton County schools, Erin's life remains centered on her deepest values. She credits her success to a network of unwavering support—including her husband, children, parents, in-laws, and sisters—and, above all, her faith.

"I trust that God will always lead me where I need to go and to be where I need to be—it's just that simple," she says. "He opens doors, and I walk through believing that He put me in the space I'm in to make an impact, so that's what I try to do."

That impact is felt not just in the school district, but also at Lighthouse Church, where Erin regularly lends her voice to the praise team. And when it's time to recharge, the Long family hits the road, camping and searching for their next great outdoor adventure.

For the next generation of students walking through the doors at USC Salkehatchie, Erin offers straightforward, time-tested advice:

"Put in the work! If you want something, you have to work for it."