COLUMBIA CHAMBER AWARDS EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE AWARD TO LOCAL TEACHERS

Winners announced at Chamber October Breakfast Briefing event

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Chamber is pleased to announce Alex Lopez Arrocha (Dent Middle School) and Dr. Nicoleta Hodis (Dreher High School) as Educator Excellence Award winners.

The Educator Excellence Award, sponsored by Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, recognizes outstanding educators from Richland One and Richland Two school districts. This biannual award honors teachers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their students, innovative teaching methods, and a commitment to community involvement. Each award winner also received $500 from Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union. 

“What educators do every day goes far beyond the classroom. They’re building confidence, creating opportunity, and shaping what comes next for our community. At Palmetto Citizens, that’s something we take personally. Because we were founded by teachers, it makes recognizing outstanding educators especially meaningful for us," said Emilie Lewis, Director of Community Engagement at Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union.

Alex Lopez Arrocha

Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Alex Lopez Arrocha is a musician, educator and writer whose work explores the intersections of art, identity and community. A lifelong violinist, Alex studied at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, where he developed his musicianship under Jennifer John and explored the deeper philosophical questions surrounding artistry and the human experience. During high school, he was also selected for the Sphinx Program at Roosevelt University, where intensive training and mentorship further shaped his artistic development.

Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Violin Performance Certificate and a cognate in Education from the University of South Carolina. While at USC, he studied violin performance and chamber music with Dr. Ari Streisfeld and taught private lessons and beginning string classes through the USC String Project under Dr. Gail Barnes. His musical experience also includes singing baritone at St. Peter’s Catholic Basilica, where he prepared liturgical music and frequently served as a cantor for English, Spanish and Latin Masses.

In addition to his performance and teaching experience, Alex spent several summers as a cabin counselor at Point CounterPoint in Vermont, helping lead activities, mentor campers and provide musical enrichment to more than 200 campers over a 10-week season.

Today, Alex teaches middle school orchestra and beginner guitar to students in grades 6–8 at his former middle school. His approach to education centers on creating inclusive learning environments where art, identity and interdisciplinary exploration strengthen musical understanding, student engagement and a sense of belonging.

Dr. Nicoleta Hodis

Originally from Romania, Nicoleta Hodis is an experienced educator with more than 30 years of teaching experience in Romania and Columbia, South Carolina. She earned bachelor’s degrees in Classical Languages (Latin and Greek) and Romanian Language and Literature from Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, followed by a master’s degree in Education and a doctorate in Social Foundations of Education from the University of South Carolina.

Nicoleta has taught middle school, high school and college students, including 23 years in Richland One. She has spent the past 18 years teaching at Hand Middle School and Dreher High School and currently teaches Latin at Dreher, where she has also sponsored the school’s chapter of the National Junior Classical League for more than 14 years.

Passionate about language education and student success, Nicoleta especially values the opportunity to teach students over multiple years and build meaningful, lasting relationships. Some of her students have studied Latin with her beginning in sixth grade and continued their classical education through high school graduation. She believes these connections are among the most rewarding aspects of teaching, reflecting her commitment to both academic growth and supporting students as individuals.

With more than three decades of experience studying and teaching Latin, Nicoleta is dedicated to making the language accessible and engaging while helping students develop confidence, collaboration skills and an appreciation for classical studies.

To nominate an educator for the Educator Excellence Award or learn more about the Chamber visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com. 

About Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, nonprofit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy, and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902. 

About Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
Since 1936, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union has served the financial needs of its members with a commitment to education and community support. It proudly supports local charities, schools and organizations through volunteer service and monetary contributions, giving back over $600,000 and 900 volunteer hours in 2025. Today, the credit union manages over $1.4 billion in assets, employs more than 310 people, and serves over 100,000 consumers across 15 branches and nearly 50 ATMs. For more information, visit www.palmettocitizens.org or call 803-732-5000.

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