USC Board of Trustees Approves Academic Initiatives, Innovation Center

The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved numerous academic initiatives, facilities projects and contract agreements during its final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17.

The Board of Trustees approved a trio of new academic programs during the meeting, including:

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• Postbaccalaureate certificate in disasters and climate-ready public health.
• Master of Science in Quantitative Economics.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education.

The board approved 10 program modifications Tuesday, with most coming from the College of Information and Communications.

Six bachelor’s programs — advertising, broadcast journalism, journalism, mass communications, public relations and visual communications — saw curriculum changes, while the Bachelor of Arts in Media Relations added concentrations in media production and media studies.

The board also approved the addition and deletion of concentrations for the history master’s and doctoral programs.

The Master of Sports and Entertainment Management degree added an off-campus instructional site in Charlotte, N.C.

New innovation center, other academic initiative approved

The board approved a new Economic Policy and Innovation Center in the Darla Moore School of Business.

The following academic initiatives were also approved Tuesday:

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• Tenure and promotion for 32 USC faculty members beginning in Spring 2025, eight honorary academic titles and four new hires with tenure.
• One new dual degree program: a master’s in international business with Audencia Business School (France).
• Approval of 100 percent online delivery for the Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies and a postbaccalaureate certificate in railway engineering.
• Program terminations for a Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training and the combination doctoral degree in epidemiology and environmental health sciences.
• One honorary academic title and one program modification at USC Aiken.
• Four honorary academic titles and faculty manual revisions at USC Upstate.
• Confidential honorary degree candidates.

The board also approved USC’s 2025 internal audit plan as well as a gift naming opportunity.

Facilities approvals

The Board of Trustees approved a new STEM Innovation and Research Building during Tuesday’s meeting as well as a budget increase to an athletics project.

The building — which is part of USC Next, the master plan for the Columbia campus — will dedicate two floors to an entrepreneurship and innovation space with the upper three floors designed for research.

Thanks to additional private support, USC can increase its budget to renovate and expand its field house. The expansion will create a new lobby for fans and renovate existing restrooms.

Contract approvals

The Board of Trustees approved 10 athletics contracts, including a deal to make Mike Shula the Gamecocks’ new offensive coordinator:

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• Shula received a three-year deal running through 2027.
• Five assistant coaches were extended through 2026: Marquel Blackwell, Mike Furrey, Sterling Lucas, Travian Robertson and Lonnie Teasley.
• Four coaches were extended through 2027: Joe DeCamillis, Shawn Elliott, Torrian Gray and Clayton White.

New Vice President for Marketing Dan Dillon had his contract approved by the board.