USC System Mission Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees - October 13, 2023

Approved by SC Commission on Higher Education – December 18, 2023

Next Board of Trustees Scheduled Review - October 2027

The primary mission of the University of South Carolina System is to provide outstanding education, research, creative activity, community engagement, and service that drives community and economic impact for benefit of the state, nation, and world. This public university system serves students from its flagship Columbia campus, three comprehensive universities (Aiken, Beaufort, and Upstate), and four regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union).

The University of South Carolina System offers degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Through classroom and laboratory instruction delivered in a variety of face-to-face and distance learning formats and modalities, degree programs are offered in the following areas:  arts and sciences; business; education; engineering and computing; hospitality, retail, and sport management; information and communications; law; medicine; music; nursing; pharmacy; public health; and social work.

The University of South Carolina System confers nearly 40% of all bachelor’s and graduate degrees awarded at public institutions in South Carolina, giving the system a profound relevance, reach, and impact on the people of the state. Through engagement in nationally and internationally recognized research, scholarship, service, and artistic creation, the University of South Carolina System imbues its students with the hallmarks of the highest-quality education, including the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success and responsible citizenship in a complex and changing world.

USC Columbia Mission Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees - October 13, 2023

Approved by SC Commission on Higher Education – December 18, 2023

Next Board of Trustees Scheduled Review - October 2027

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of South Carolina Columbia is to educate students through outstanding teaching and to provide research, scholarship, and service that drives community and economic impact for the benefit of the state, nation, and world.

Description of the University

As the flagship institution of the USC system, our university is dedicated to pioneering innovative educational approaches that are attuned to the evolving needs of the workforce, ensuring that our graduates are not only well-prepared but also empowered to shape the future as engaged, global citizens. Through personalized learning journeys and an array of experiential opportunities, we equip our students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. The University propels transformative research and discovery, elevates knowledge and culture, and pursues truth for an enhanced quality of life.

The University of South Carolina Columbia boasts its renowned campus where academic and professional ambitions come to life and where more than 200 years of collective history meet breakthrough academics and research that change the world in real time. The University of South Carolina Columbia is the major research institution of the university system and its largest campus serving a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students with widely varying backgrounds and career goals. The university offers degrees at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional program levels, including some with global dimensions, affording students a comprehensive array of educational programs. The university provides additional opportunities for associate degrees through the regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union). Personal and career development are also provided through outreach and continuing education.

To fulfill its mission, the University employs world-class faculty and staff members from diverse academic backgrounds. Through classroom and laboratory instruction delivered in a variety of face-to-face and distance learning modalities, degree programs are offered in the following areas: arts and sciences; business; education; engineering and computing; hospitality, retail, and sport management; information and communications; law; medicine; music; nursing; pharmacy; public health; and social work. Beyond the classroom, students engage in a variety of high-impact experiences that develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities to stimulate personal growth and a lifetime connection to the Carolinian community. The University is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a top research and community engaged institution and confers over 30% of all bachelor’s and graduate degrees awarded at public institutions in South Carolina.

Accreditation

The University of South Carolina Columbia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.  The regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union) are branch campuses of the University of South Carolina Columbia; the branch campuses’ accreditation is dependent on the continued accreditation of the University of South Carolina Columbia. Questions about the accreditation of the University of South Carolina Columbia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). 

In addition to this comprehensive accreditation, the professional schools on the Columbia campus are individually accredited by their respective associations as follows:

College of Arts and Sciences: In the Department of Psychology, the graduate degrees in clinical-community psychology are accredited by the American Psychological Association; graduate degrees in school psychology are accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the National Association of School Psychologists with the doctoral program also being accredited by the American Psychological Association. The Master of Public Administration degree offered by the Department of Political Science is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The Department of Theatre and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the University/Resident Theatre Association. The Department of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society.

Moore School of Business and the School of Accounting: American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.

College of Education: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Other Related Educational Programs.

Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing: ABET, http://www.abet.org, accredits university programs in engineering and computing.

School of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management: Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.

Joseph F. Rice School of Law: American Bar Association, Association of American Law Schools.

College of Information and Communications: The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The School of Library and Information Science is accredited by the American Library Association.

School of Medicine: Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the American Medical Association-Association of American Medical Colleges.

School of Music: National Association of Schools of Music.

College of Nursing: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

College of Pharmacy: American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.

Arnold School of Public Health: Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Education for Public Health, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification.

College of Social Work: Council on Social Work Education.

University Officials

Board of Trustees

Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina, Ex Officio Chair
C. Dorn Smith III, M.D., 3rd Judicial Circuit, Chair
Thad H. Westbrook, 11th Judicial Circuit, Vice Chair
C. Dan Adams, Gubernatorial Designee 
J. Egerton Burroughs, 15th Judicial Circuit
Alex English, 5th Judicial Circuit
C. Edward Floyd, 12th Judicial Circuit
Brian C. Harlan, 8th Judicial Circuit
Richard A. Jones, Jr., Gubernatorial Appointee
Toney J. Lister, 7th Judicial Circuit
Miles Loadholt, 2nd Judicial Circuit
Hubert F. "Hugh" Mobley, 6th Judicial Circuit
Leah B. Moody, 16th Judicial Circuit
Emma W. Morris, 10th Judicial Circuit
Rose Buyck Newton, 14th Judicial Circuit
Robin D. Roberts, USC Alumni Association President
Molly M. Spearman, State Superintendent of Education
John C. von Lehe Jr., Chairman Emeritus
Eugene P. Warr, Jr., 4th Judicial Circuit, 
Mack I. Whittle, Jr., 13th Judicial Circuit
Charles H. Williams II, 1st Judicial Circuit
L. Cameron Howell IV, Ph.D., Secretary

Administrative Officers

Michael Amiridis, President
Donna Arnett, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Ed Walton, Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Stacy Fritz, Chief of Staff
Larry Thomas, Vice President for Communications
Michelle Dodenhoff, Vice President for Development
Julian R. Williams, Vice President for Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement 
Caroline Agardy, Vice President for Human Resources
Beth Brigdon, Interim Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Julius Fridriksson, Vice President for Research
J. Rex Tolliver, Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support
Scott Verzyl, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
Bill Kirkland, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation, Partnership, and Economic Engagement
Walter “Terry” Parham, General Counsel and Executive Director of Compliance Programs
Ray Tanner, Director of Athletics