Suzanne Austin Women in Business Award 2026

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Suzanne Austin

College of Charleston

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Charleston

Suzanne Austin is executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the College of Charleston, a role she has held since 2020. As chief academic officer, she oversees academic programs, faculty affairs, and student success initiatives. Previously, she served as senior vice provost at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and held leadership roles at the University of Delaware. She earned a Ph.D. in history from Duke University and has extensive experience in academic leadership at public research institutions.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is the ability to create a shared vision for the organization, identify strategic priorities, and mobilize people and resources to achieve institutional goals. Creating and leading a strong team is key to any leader’s success, as is the ability to make sometimes difficult decisions.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

The best advice that I have received from other women leaders is to always show up prepared and with a solution. All organizations are full of people who can identify problems; what sets a leader apart from others is the ability to devise and implement solutions.

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