A Year in Review with President Hsu

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On this episode of Speaking of … College of Charleston, President Hsu sat down with Ron Menchaca, vice president of marketing and communications, to share some highlights from the past 2022-23 academic year.

“I'm very proud of what the college has achieved during the last four years, and proud of the progress we’re making on our strategic plan,” says Hsu, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as president of the College in May 2023. “We have assembled an all-star team of higher education leaders during the past four years and now the college is making significant gains in many areas including student success, faculty success, diversity and more. It’s very gratifying to see the positive momentum of this great institution.”

Year in Review Highlights:
•A record number of applications for 2023/2024
•Avery Research Center Awarded $2 Million Grant From Mellon Foundation
•Men’s Basketball Claims CAA Title, Clinches Spot at NCAA Tourney
•The Committee on Commemoration and Landscapes (CCL) rededicated the Septima Clark Auditorium in the education center. This is one of the first – of many projects – to tell a more complete story of our campus and our city. CofC Celebrates Life of Activist Septima Clark With New Exhibit, Mural
•First annual Food Security Summit, College of Charleston to Host Nationally Recognized Experts for Inaugural Food Security Summit

President Hsu talked about the 10-year strategic plan, Tradition and Transformation, and what has been accomplished in the past year. He shared updates on the following cross-cutting themes; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Innovation and Partnerships.

CofC Prepares to Kickoff Strategic Plan
Pilar one: Student Experience and Success
Pilar two: Academic Distinction
Pilar three: Employee Experience and Success

President Hsu was pleased to report the hiring of three new deans under the leadership of Suzanne Austin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. These deans include Wes Dudgeon, dean of the brand new School of Health Sciences, Paul Schwager, dean of School of Business, and Amiee Arias, who will join the team later this summer as dean of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs. New additions to the president’s cabinet include Dan Frezza, who joined the College as the new chief advancement officer, and Jimmy Foster, vice president of the Division of Enrollment Management. Chuck Baker is the interim General Council.

"What really moves a university to a new level of excellence is the leadership team, and without a strong leadership team, we would not be able to effect the changes that we're trying to make. I'm very proud to say that if I were in a professional basketball program, then I would say I now have an all-star Dream Team on this campus.”