Academic Affairs VP Optimistic about the Future of SC State

By: Dervedia Thomas

Posted: 11/16/09

New Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joyce Blackwell is optimistic about the future of SC State. Coming out a three day Academic Affairs Institute funded by Title III grants, Blackwell spoke with The Collegian about the Institute, challenges she has faced since arriving at SC State and plans for maintaining academic excellence.

The institute's theme: The ABC's of Academic Success: Charting a New Direction in Academic Affairs at South Carolina State University, included presentations and workshops hosted by SC State faculty and staff.

According to Blackwell, the theme challenged deans, chairs and program directors to focus on broad aspects of quality, excellence and the university's contributions to the community. "Deans, chairs and program directors attended workshops that generated a great deal of thought and discussion," she said. "Discussions often led to recommendations, modifications and/or adjustments that needed to be made to existing academic programs to ensure that SC State's students would remain competitive with their peers attending other institutions. More specifically, as a result of the Institute, I and the majority of the participants have a renewed focus on academic excellence, interaction with the community, and the quality of student experience we provide."

When asked about challenges that she has faced since taking up office at SC State, Blackwell explained that she has not encountered any "challenges" that are un-common to other universities. "The challenges that we face at SC State are no different from challenges faced by faculty, students and administrators at other institutions across America," she said. "Therefore, I do not view them as challenges--just issues, events, etc. that sometimes occur-which requires that we not lose focus on our purpose for being here. Somehow we tend to believe that we are uniquely affected. We are not. Like other institutions, we must focus our energies on how we all can, as a university, weather this storm in a way that will not compromise the quality of our academic programs and services for the students whom we serve."

At the time of this interview, [before announcement of 7-day furlough] SC State faculty and staff were told that they could expect a possible 12-10 day furlough and further reductions in force (layoffs). Despite this, Blackwell says she does not think that morale is low at the university.

"From where I sit and as a result of the many meetings that I have had with program directors, deans, chairs and individual faculty and staff, morale is not low," she explained. "Perhaps they [faculty and staff] are not as happy about the financial situation, but that is no measure of how high or low morale is. When I speak with faculty and staff on this campus, I find a clear majority actively engaged in research, the development of new and exciting academic programs and community outreach initiatives. Our faculty and staff continue to be recognized for excellence by persons outside of the university and continue to ensure that South Carolina State University is engaged in cutting-edge research, can compete with the best in their respective fields for garnering millions of dollars in grants and continue to engage in effective teaching and learning. This has all occurred this academic year alone despite the budget issues."

To maintain academic excellence, Blackwell says that they are actively reviewing low producing programs to determine their relevance, reviewing the general education curriculum, examining ways to provide access to the university for nontraditional students, improving current course offerings and services available by eventually making courses available at night, on weekends, in alternative formats, and at established sites in South Carolina as well as making improvements in the Office of Graduate Studies Program.

A center for Teaching and Learning will also be established as well as increased study abroad opportunities, more customer service training and an improved advising process are also on the agenda.

Retention which has been identified as a major issue at SC State, is now under the purview of Blackwell who explained that "the newly-revived Office of Student Success and Retention (SSRP)" has been restructured and its strategies will be unveiled at the December 2009 Board of Trustees meeting.

Unfortunately, even though the new VP says the introduction of new majors should be expected, she explained that no consideration has been given to re-introducing the Law School.

Blackwell indicated however that Academic Affairs is working closely with the Charleston Law School to allow their professors to teach Pre-Law courses at SC State.

"We hope that this will help us to determine the level of interest in the discipline for future planning. While no consideration has been given to the Law program, it does not prevent us from conducting a feasibility study for future planning."