CERRA is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country. Following the passage of the state's landmark Education Improvement Act, CERRA was created out of a concern for the condition of South Carolina's teacher supply pool and a need for a centralized teacher recruitment effort. The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement was established by the Commission on Higher Education in December 1985 and is funded by the South Carolina General Assembly. CERRA's agenda is comprehensive. The Center pursues various programs to increase the number of students in the education pipeline and recruit and retain qualified, caring, and competent teachers. The Center's primary target groups are middle and high school students, college students, and adults interested in changing careers. CERRA also engages with groups of accomplished teachers through programs including mentoring, teacher leadership, and National Board Certification. The network of educators in our programs overlaps in powerful ways to increase the level of collaboration for recruitment, retention, and advancement of South Carolina educators.