President Barack Obama speaking to young leaders during Columbia visit

President Barack Obama will speak with young leaders during his visit at Benedict College in Columbia on Friday, The White House said.

"The President will speak with young leaders about how they are working to expand opportunity in their own communities," The White House said in a statement released Wednesday, "and discuss how we can work together to ensure that young people have the tools they need to compete in a global economy and that all Americans benefit from our economic resurgence."

Students from other area colleges have been invited. University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides said he and students from his college have been asked to come to Benedict.

Gov. Nikki Haley, a Lexington Republican who has been critical of some of the Democratic president's policies, will greet Obama when Air Force One lands at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, her office said Wednesday.

The time of his speech at Benedict has not been announced. No other activities have been planned.

Obama is making his first visit to South Carolina since becoming president. He has not visited South Carolina since winning the state's Democratic presidential primary in January 2008.

After traveling to South Carolina, the president will have two states -- South Dakota and Utah -- that he has not visited since entering the White House.

This story was originally published March 4, 2015 at 4:51 PM with the headline "President Barack Obama speaking to young leaders during Columbia visit."