In the spirit of reflection, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education commemorates a successful year marked by the pursuit of educational excellence, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Join us to look back on a year that has not only set the foundation for future success for our students, but also reinforces our commitment to towards the pursuit of access, affordability and excellence across our system of higher education.

 

Transfer Action Plan charts a course towards transfer excellence

One of the standout achievements of the CHE this year was the release of a detailed Transfer Action Plan, which was the result of nearly two years of work by a transfer task force representing institutions from all sectors across the state. This initiative aimed to streamline and enhance the transfer process for students within the state's higher education system. By fostering collaboration among institutions and implementing best practices, the Transfer Action Plan has charted a course towards transfer excellence intended to improve on-time college completion rates and reduce the time and monetary commitment required to complete a four-year degree.

Learn more about the Transfer Action Plan

 

BOLD Loan Program makes $10M available to train nursing faculty

To support the state’s critical need for nursing faculty, the South Carolina General Assembly has allocated $10M in funding to students in graduate-level nurse educator programs who are willing to become nursing faculty after graduation. In August, the CHE announced a partnership with the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation to launch the BOLD (Better Outcomes, Less Debt) Career pathways Nursing Faculty Loan Program, which makes up to $90K available for tuition reimbursement over three years for nurses who obtain faculty credentials and agree to teach two years for every one year of tuition.

Learn more about the BOLD loan program

 

College and Career Decision Day grows to more than 1,500 students

The CHE’s commitment to supporting students on their educational journeys was on display this year with the expansion of College and Career Decision Day. What began in 2022 with approximately 1,000 students has now grown to include more than 1,500 students. The day began with a march down Main Street in Columbia and ended at the South Carolina State House lawn, where students were celebrated by elected officials and celebrities in a rally-type environment. This event recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of South Carolina’s high school students as they make crucial decisions about their futures, emphasizing the importance of post-secondary education and career planning.

Learn more about College and Career Decision Day 2023

 

Transfer convenings bring experts from schools across the state together

To foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment, the CHE organized and facilitated two transfer convenings which brought together more than 100 transfer experts and administrators from institutions across the state. These gatherings served as a platform for exchanging ideas, addressing challenges, and developing innovative solutions to further improve the transfer experience for students.

Learn more at the CHE Transfer Excellence Center

 

Higher Education Day connects public, technical, and independent students to state leaders

Student participants from more than 30 public, technical, and independent colleges and universities across the state came together at the South Carolina State House for the second annual Higher Education Day, a joint event highlighting students from all sectors of higher education and an opportunity to show appreciation to the state for the financial aid it provides students in the form of Need-Based Grants and Tuition Grants, which have grown significantly in recent years. The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (SCICU) and the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) partnered to co-host the event.

Learn more about Higher Education Day 2023

 

College Application Month and College Goal SC help thousands at schools across the state

With the goal of increasing access to higher education, the CHE continued to facilitate its successful College Application Month and College Goal SC initiatives at schools across the state. This statewide effort assisted thousands of students in navigating the college application process and the financial aid application process, breaking down barriers and making higher education more accessible to a broader range of individuals.

Learn more about College Application Month and College Goal SC

 

27 schools sign statewide transfer agreement

In a significant stride towards fostering collaboration among higher education institutions, the CHE facilitated the signing of a statewide transfer agreement involving 27 schools. This agreement aims to simplify the transfer process for students, providing a clear and standardized pathway to pursue their educational goals seamlessly across institutions.

Learn about the Transfer Agreement

 

Centers of Excellence Symposium focuses on excellence in teacher education

In June, the CHE hosted the 2023 Centers of Excellence Symposium in Greenville, bringing together more than 85 educators, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the latest trends in teacher education and professional development. The South Carolina Centers of Excellence program is a competitive grant program awarded to improve teacher quality and student achievement in South Carolina. The program enables eligible institutions, or consortia of such institutions, to serve as resource centers in a specific area related to the improvement of teacher education. This year's theme was "Celebrating a Culture of Collaboration Through Resourcefulness of Partnerships."

Learn more about the symposium

 

Census Bureau partnership provides new tool to track college graduate earnings

Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, the CHE forged a partnership with the United States Census Bureau to provide a new tool for tracking South Carolina college graduate earnings as well as the states they work in. This initiative equips policymakers, educators, and students with valuable information to make informed choices about education and career paths.

Learn more about the Post Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer tool

 

As we celebrate the progress made in 2023, the CHE looks forward to 2024 with a renewed dedication to advancing higher education in South Carolina in the years to come.