Goals: [LONG-TERM GOAL 1] [LONG-TERM GOAL 2] [LONG-TERM GOAL 3] [LONG-TERM GOAL 4] [LONG-TERM GOAL 5] [LONG-TERM GOAL 6]

To encourage positive change through engagement with the broader society.

ACHIEVEMENTS (2009-2010):

Since 2005, the College has pursued strategic objectives and priorities to realize this goal. We have been largely successful at building strong links with the community through our academic programs, research, and targeted programs of service and outreach. As we considered how we would address the severe budget cuts sustained in 2008, 2009, and 2010, we determined that among other priorities, we must maintain our commitment to the broader society in ways in which our expertise is essential. As the College of Arts and Sciences in the state’s major research  institution, we have the unique opportunity and responsibility to effect positive change in K-12 education, economic development, and state and local government. Increasingly, our expertise is engaged to address issues on an international level.

K-12 Education:

• The College has maintained our commitment to academic programs that prepare K-12 educators and specialists and to programs serving K-12 students and teachers.
• With the completion of a constellation of hires in School Psychology in 2008-2009, the College made a significant senior hire in 2009-2010 who focuses on child mental health in schools. This hire will complement and enrich existing faculty strength in School Psychology as well Clinical Community Psychology.
• College faculty and administrators contributed significantly to the successful effort for NCATE reaccreditation (Fall 2010) for all basic and advanced educator preparation programs.
• A joint Department of Art and College of Education project at A.C. Moore Elementary School won the 2010 SC Literacy Champions Award.

Research that Serves the State:

• The recently established Parenting and Family Research Center  has begun to attract grant funds and publish research on child and family well-being, with an emphasis on prevention strategies.
• The creation of the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment has consolidated resources for key research, academic, engagement, and service programs focusing on the environment. Several SEOE faculty have been appointed to federal and NGO panels to address the 2010 Louisiana oil spill, an event with environmental and economic implications for South Carolina.
• The Institute for African American Research hosted a major conference in March 2010 that explored issues in education, public health, and immigration, all key issues for South Carolina.

Civic Life:

• The University’s Rule of Law initiative is led by the Walker Institute for International and Area Studies. Focusing on rule of law issues in transitional and post-conflict societies, this initiative brings the expertise of the College to bear on critical international problems in conflict prevention and resolution, post-conflict reconciliation strategies, law reform and legal institution-building, and the diffusion of internationally recognized norms of human rights and rule of law. A major Rule of Law conference was held May 10-14, 2010 with speakers and participants from the US Senate, Department of State, Department of Defense, the US military, and legal and international relations experts from the US and abroad.

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Contact:  Mary Ann Byrnes/Editor, Online Handbook (777-5371 or byrnes@sc.edu)