USC’s new strategic plan fully embraces the university’s challenges, opportunities
As the University of South Carolina enters its third century of service as one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher learning, the challenge of sustaining the quality, accessibility, affordability and desirability of a college education remains foremost on my mind.
The dynamics of higher education are changing — and have perhaps been forever changed — by the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters. Here are some important issues that all colleges must consider going forward:
▪ Student enrollment is declining as the burden of student debt and rising costs weighs on decisions to pursue degree studies.
▪ Institutions face financial difficulties because of fewer students and reductions in state and federal budgets.
▪ Shifting demographics mean fewer high school graduates for universities to recruit.
▪ The sudden cost impact of COVID-19 risk mitigation steps.
Path to excellence
We must overcome these issues, but the university must also look to the future.
Today I am unveiling a new blueprint for our future.
“For South Carolina: A Path to Excellence” seeks to embrace both the opportunities and challenges that the university has ahead of it.
The plan is the result of work by our Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students from across the system’s eight institutions.
It is a collaborative document of goals and objectives, with metrics that will certify success.
Some might ask why we are doing this now.
The University of South Carolina has 56 nationally ranked degree programs — in health sciences, engineering, law, arts and others — according to U.S. News & World Report. The university also has a top-tier public Honors college, and what is considered to be the nation’s best international business program.
However, we cannot remain static.
The University of South Carolina must adapt to the changes we see on the academic, social justice and business landscapes.
We must continue to build the institution with integrity, innovation and excellence.
In addition, as the state’s flagship institution, the University of South Carolina transforms the lives of the people of South Carolina, the nation and the world through empowering education, innovative research, creative engagement, impactful economic development and selfless service within an inclusive and diverse environment.
So how do we achieve success?
A university for all
First and foremost, we must be a university for all South Carolinians by acknowledging the humbling responsibilities of being the flagship university of this great state.
For example, it is essential that we continue working with small businesses as well as the global corporations that hire our graduates, conduct research that is innovating new treatment procedures for the coronavirus and provide nontraditional degree paths for students.
We must ensure that our academic programs prepare South Carolina’s future corporate leaders and economic partners.
And while the University of South Carolina’s reach is international, our primary responsibility is to educate and empower our state residents with a pathway to a better future — and make this flagship university more accessible and affordable to the students of this great state.
This also means that our student population must represent — and be more representative of — the demographic makeup of the state. This will take work, and our dedicated staff is already fully engaged.
Sustain excellence
Second, we must sustain research and academic excellence as our hallmarks.
We must attract the best and brightest students, as well as faculty and staff committed to the pursuit of groundbreaking research and analysis.
By doing so we will expand scientific knowledge, position our students for competitive, high-paying jobs and prepare them to help advance the fortunes of the state in our civil and nonprofit agencies after they graduate.
We are well positioned to lead in this area, as evidenced by our recent partnerships with IBM, Boeing, Samsung, Siemens, Nephron and Prisma (just to name a few).
Full of promise
Third, the university will have the flexibility to grow through an expanded offering of online classes throughout the entire University of South Carolina system.
Our online degree program, South Carolina Online, is expanding to accommodate military members, recently displaced workers and other seeking new careers.
As I look to the next 100 years of the University of South Carolina, I see a bright future that is full of promise. In order to fulfill that promise we must meet the needs of South Carolina, the nation and the world.
There is so much to do.
Let’s get started.
Robert Caslen is the president of the University of South Carolina.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 10:23 AM.