Pacers Return to USC Aiken Campus

Related Media

AIKEN, SC (08/23/2018) The University of South Carolina Aiken welcomed students back to campus Aug.23.

Undergraduate and graduate classes are now in full swing.

Approximately 600 freshmen joined the student body for the new academic year. Many of them are declaring industrial process engineering as their major.

"For a relatively new major, the industrial process engineering program has taken off dramatically," said Daniel Robb, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management.

Additionally, a record number of transfer students joined the Pacer family.

The university has experienced an "exponential boost" in its MBA program. Last fall, 13 were enrolled in the program. To date, there are 66.

Just days before classes began, an editorial from Dr. Sandra Jordan, USC Aiken chancellor appeared in the Aiken Standard on Aug. 20:

"This is an exciting week at the University of South Carolina Aiken as we welcome students back to one of the South's best universities, located in one of the South's Best Small Towns.

"Our faculty and staff are thrilled that soon the campus will be teeming with students. In fact, there's a buzz already on campus as our student-athletes arrived early for practice, more than 100 student leaders arrived early for leadership workshops, and freshmen moved into our residential complex on Sunday. The full complement of students will soon arrive as classes begin Aug. 23.

"Before the Class of 2022 arrives for Freshmen Convocation on Aug. 22, the first cohort of the Aiken Scholars Academy will start their classes. This is a unique opportunity for academy students and for the university. USC Aiken's faculty, staff and students look forward to working with ASA teachers to provide challenging, engaging and rewarding high school (and college) experiences for each Phoenix, which is the mascot the inaugural class chose. In just a couple of years, they will be fully immersed in USC Aiken classrooms, where they will conduct relevant research, explore new perspectives, and share insights. The USC Aiken faculty, who are leaders in their fields, look forward to these highly gifted students' contributions to their classrooms and research laboratories. Meanwhile, the academy students will utilize college resources, like the Writing Room, and leverage the unique collegiate setting.

"Our Pacers have a lot to look forward to this academic year as well. For example, we now offer new degree programs in applied mathematics and applied computer science with concentrations available in cybersecurity and applied gaming. These critical programs resulted from the revamping of our computer science and mathematics programs and were developed in response to the request of our industry partners. What a great opportunity to help prepare the next generation workforce and for our community to better align with developments at Fort Gordon and the Savannah River National Laboratory!

"Additionally, we are adding another graduate degree, a Master's in Educator Leadership. Certified teachers in our state, can now earn several specialty add-ons, necessary for certification renewal, but which will now count toward the completion of a master's. With this program in place, we now offer more than 50 programs, including undergraduate degrees and three master's degrees, an online RN-to-BSN program and an online MBA.

"The 32nd season of the Etherredge Center's Cultural Series kicks off Nov. 15. The diverse performances offer a little something for everyone, including the youngest of audience members. The Cultural Series provides our region with world-class entertainment we know our neighbors in the community and throughout the CSRA will enjoy.

"It is going to be an exciting year for the Pacers, and we look forward to cheering on our NCAA Division II student-athletes. We hope to see Pacer fans of all ages in the stands at our men's and women's athletic events during every season.

"We invite members of the community to visit campus as frequently as they can. We offer engaging courses and programs, many of which are free and open to the public. The McGrath Learning Center, the Academy for Lifelong Learning and our continuing education department offer courses that are relevant and interesting.

"Please feel free to stroll around our beautiful campus and meet our thoughtful emerging leaders - our students. Our diverse student body hails from all over the globe, with the majority of our students coming from South Carolina, many from right here in Aiken.

"I hope the community will join me in welcoming USC Aiken students and faculty back for what promises to be another exciting and productive year.

"Go Pacers!"