South Carolina: Leading in 2021

Posted on: January 8, 2021; Updated on: January 8, 2021

As we turn our attention to the possibilities ahead of us, the University of South Carolina has never been more resolved to transform the lives of the people of South Carolina, the nation and the world. So we must not be complacent. This is a year to be bold, and we are driven by a relentless energy to be the nation’s preeminent flagship university.

Keeping Education Affordable

Ensuring access to a quality degree is our priority at Carolina, so we froze tuition this year and have already committed to a tuition freeze for the 2021-22 academic year. The University of South Carolina is — and will remain — the most affordable public research university in the state. We applaud the willingness of the governor and the General Assembly to reinvest in higher education, and we look forward to strengthening our mutual commitment to access and affordability this year.

Prioritizing Health Care

We are working with the governor and legislators to expand the work of the university’s world-class Arnold School of Public Health, our nationally acclaimed medical schools and our partnership with DHEC. And we’re collaborating with the state and other public and private partners on a new health village on Bull Street that will be a center of health sciences excellence for the entire state. This comprehensive campus will foster health innovations and serve as home base for expanded critical health programs in rural areas and throughout South Carolina.

Partnering with HBCUs

We recognize the important roles that historically black colleges and universities play in our state, so we are partnering with them. By working with the state’s HBCUs, we will provide accessible, affordable options for students who begin at those schools to get advanced degrees at the University of South Carolina in areas such as engineering, journalism and health care.

Representing All South Carolinians

It’s imperative that a state’s flagship university reflects and serves its population. By increasing accessibility and resources for all students, we can ensure that each individual, regardless of background, has every opportunity to thrive. And our reach is already improving: More than half of our incoming students are from South Carolina, nearly 18 percent of the new freshman class are first-generation college students, African American freshman enrollment grew by 28 percent last year, and underrepresented minorities make up 25 percent of new students.

The university has a $5.5 billion impact on South Carolina and is one of the largest economic drivers in our state. We fuel innovation by aligning research with business, help to create a thriving marketplace and educate and train tomorrow’s workforce. All of these actions and more help to improve the fortunes of South Carolinians. It might be a new year, but our commitment remains the same at the University of South Carolina.

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