Priest to Retire After More than Three Decades

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AIKEN, SC (04/17/2018) When he retires June 30, Dr. Jeff Priest will have racked up more than 30 years on campus.

"I have had the distinct honor and privilege of working at USC Aiken for over 30 years, more than half my life," he told Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor.

"It has been an incredible journey. I learned so much in my 30 years at USC Aiken. I was pretty much allowed to do what I thought was best for the institution with few strings attached. I don't know how many people are provided such an opportunity."

During this time, he worked for three chancellors and infused a love of learning in students at all levels: K-12, bachelors, masters, and doctorate.

"True to his humble nature, Jeff will be the first to say that any success enjoyed and accomplishments achieved are due to the collaboration and hard work of colleagues," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor.

"While he won't take any credit, we all know he leaves a tremendous legacy and has made an indelible mark on this institution."

Priest helped establish the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. Originally, the idea was to renovate a storage shed, but his efforts ultimately helped create a state-of-art educational facility, which hosts more than 80,000 student visits each year.

From the humble beginnings of working out of an office in the Penland Building that he shared with the School of Nursing more than 30 years ago, to developing science kits for area elementary and secondary students, the idea became reality when he opened the doors of Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. His vision has become an invaluable educational resource, which provides engaging learning opportunities and fosters a love of STEM learning.

In addition to helping create (and build) the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, Priest routinely sought ways to make use of the scientific and mathematical skills of local businesses in the schools. One offshoot of this focus was the Visiting Scientist program, which made great use of scientists and engineers in local schools to support curricula in those areas.

He helped initiate an innovative program that makes lesson-based kits available to teachers across the region, free of charge. This program enables schools without sufficient support for laboratory supplies to provide the same sorts of classroom and hands-on experiences that their peers in more affluent schools receive.

"The RPSEC will always have a special place in my heart," Priest said.

"I was given carte blanche to mold the RPSEC into whatever I thought would be best for our region. I was fortunate enough to hire a great staff that shared the same vision. The result of which we see today."

Priest has shepherded several new programs into the USC Aiken repertoire. These programs were developed based on current and anticipated regional workforce needs. Partnering with community business leaders and industry experts, he has created coalitions to help shape educational programs that will prepare USC Aiken graduates for the workforce of today - and the future.

Under Priest's leadership as the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, USC Aiken has continued its streak of being recognized as the #1 institution in its category by U.S. News and World Report.

"We are indebted to his vision and commitment for propelling us to our present position among South Carolina's Comprehensive Universities. Jeff's work has assured our continued success," Jordan said.

He helped create the Veteran and Military Student Success Center on campus. This vital team provides holistic support to veteran and military students working to achieve their academic goals. The VMSS has grown exponentially and has received numerous national and military accolades since it was first established only a few years ago.

Additionally, USC Aiken is designated as South Carolina's only COPLAC institution. The Council on Public Liberal Arts Colleges recognizes only one institution per state. Priest was instrumental in receiving - and maintaining - this coveted distinction.

He increased the opportunities for global studies by both recruiting more international students and establishing new study abroad programs. Currently, 32 countries are represented among the students body. USC Aiken students have the opportunity to study abroad in: Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and India.

He created myriad Memoranda of Understanding with several universities in India as part of the university's Discover India Program. To date, one cohort of Indian students has come to campus for a leadership program, and the first cohort of USC Aiken students traveled to India with Priest in January of this year for an immersion-exchange program.

"It has been an unbelievable journey for me. I have had the distinct honor and privilege to work with the best faculty, staff, and administration that anyone could ever hope for or deserve in a 30-year career," Priest said.

"I only hope that whomever succeeds me understands and appreciates USC Aiken as much as I have."

The university will conduct a national search for Priest's successor. In the interim, Dr. Daren Timmons will assume the role of acting EVCAA on July 1.