By Chris Horn

Harris Pastides contributed to the University’s success for the past 10 years as one of its top administrators. Now, as Carolina’s new president, he’s brimming with energy and ideas to make more good things happen in the years ahead.

“You just gotta go there!”

That’s what Harris Pastides envisions undergraduates telling their younger siblings and friends about what it’s like to attend Carolina. It’s a simple message, but it speaks volumes about the 28th president’s vision for Carolina that includes an outstanding undergraduate learning experience—and much more.

“I want to accelerate the progress we’ve made in the past few years here at Carolina and increase the value of graduating from this University,” said Pastides, who has served the institution for the past 10 years, first as dean of the Arnold School of Public Health and then as vice president for research and health sciences.

“We have a lot of ambitious projects we’ve started under Dr. Sorensen, and they will require a lot of energy to execute and will make the University an even greater asset for South Carolina and a source of pride for our students and alumni.”

Pastides made his mark the past several years by leading the University’s successful effort to increase externally funded research and scholarly work in science, engineering, medicine, health, and the humanities. During his tenure, research funding increased by nearly 70 percent, and the University was named among the nation’s top 94 research universities by the Carnegie Foundation—the only university in South Carolina so designated.

But even in the midst of that work, Pastides demonstrated that his vision was broader than merely increasing the University’s share of research dollars. He established the Magellan Scholars Program, which funds faculty-mentored student projects in nearly every academic discipline, and launched the Office of Undergraduate Research, which fosters student involvement in multi-faceted scholarly projects.

Now, as president, Pastides envisions undergraduate education at Carolina as the cornerstone experience of a lifetime.

“From engaging with faculty to learning in the classroom and studying abroad; from volunteering in service projects to intramural athletics and enjoying a robust social life—I want the undergraduate experience at Carolina to be the foundation for a student’s future success,” he said.

Fostering an excellent undergraduate education is paramount, but Carolina’s presidency entails high expectations in many other areas, too. As president, Pastides will also focus on:

Then there are the unspoken expectations that range from athletics to institutional reputation.

“It’s easy to get lost in the complexity of leading an institution, so you must be methodical,” Pastides said. “You have to plan, execute your plan, then assess the results. You might well have to adjust your plan and execution because success isn’t assured the first time around.

“My background as an epidemiologist reminds me that a decision in one area can have implications in ways you might never have imagined. Epidemiology makes you try to think through the long-term consequences of a decision, and I think that will be helpful in leading the University.”

Pastides won’t be alone in his efforts. His wife, Patricia Moore-Pastides, is an accomplished public health administrator and will be a solid partner in the myriad duties expected of every Carolina presidential couple.

“People have said you shouldn’t become a university president unless you have a strong marriage and a lot of energy,” he said. “I’m happy to say I have both, and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead. In particular, we’re eager to find new resources for the University—in South Carolina and beyond the state’s borders.

“We’re only as strong as the support we receive from our alumni and friends, and we all have to step up our support for Carolina—in time, talent, or treasures.”

Pastides is Carolina’s first internal candidate in decades to be selected as the University president following a national search, and it is partly a testament to the work he has done since arriving at Carolina 10 years ago.

“Harris Pastides has built a solid career as a scholar, a researcher, and a top administrator who has earned the respect of his colleagues in higher education and in the larger community,” said Herbert Adams, the University’s board chairman. “He understands the challenges we face, the opportunities before us, and our commitment to becoming a world-class University.”

In short, Pastides understands where Carolina wants to go and has the skills to help lead the way. Looking ahead, Carolina might well become the place about which everyone says, “You just gotta go there!”.