The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its healthcare education program following the approval of a $620,000 grant from The Duke Endowment. This funding will directly support an institutional initiative designed to strengthen South Carolina’s rural nursing workforce by expanding access to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through flexible hybrid and satellite delivery models.
A cornerstone of this initiative is a renewed partnership with USC Beaufort to build a seamless academic pipeline tailored specifically for the Salkehatchie region. Through this collaboration, local students can earn their BSN from USC Beaufort while completing all coursework and clinical training locally. By removing geographic barriers to higher education, this pathway allows aspiring nurses to achieve their degree close to home and keeps vital healthcare talent in the region.
"This generous investment from The Duke Endowment marks a transformative milestone for USC Salkehatchie and the rural communities we serve," said Dr. April Cone, Dean of USC Salkehatchie. "By removing geographic and structural barriers to BSN education, we are empowering local students to achieve their academic aspirations right here at home. Reestablishing our BSN partnership with USC Beaufort allows us to combine institutional strengths to directly address the critical nursing shortage facing our regional healthcare providers, fundamentally improving the depth and resilience of patient care across rural South Carolina."
By leveraging hybrid learning frameworks and specialized satellite delivery, USC Salkehatchie will make rigorous healthcare training accessible to non-traditional and rurally isolated students who are otherwise unable to commute to centralized campus facilities. The initiative aligns closely with regional public health objectives, recognizing that nurses trained within rural environments are far more likely to remain and practice within those same communities upon licensure.
About the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, a regional campus of the University of South Carolina, serves a diverse student body across the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality higher education, USC Salkehatchie offers associate degrees and facilitates pathways to baccalaureate programs. The institution is deeply committed to regional economic development, community partnerships, and empowering students to achieve academic and professional excellence.
About The Duke Endowment
Based in Charlotte and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $5 billion in grants. The Endowment shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.