Updates From College of Charleston Academic Affairs

Following a rigorous review process, the College was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Only about 10% of the nation’s institutions of higher learning have Phi Beta Kappa chapters.

The College’s signature academic programs were identified: communication, international studies, public health (emerging) and environmental and sustainability studies (emerging).

Through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning:

• The College became the first university in South Carolina to partner with Coursera to offer industry-branded, micro-credentials to students, faculty and staff. The spring 2025 faculty professional learning community plans to teach courses with embedded industry micro-credentials.
• Two places in the Addlestone Library were established for faculty to work, hold small group discussions, read or just relax. The Faculty Writing Center in ADDL 326 can support up to 10 faculty members at a time and has coffee, tea and snacks. The Faculty Suite is located in ADDL 338.
• An American Association of Colleges and Universities yearlong Generative AI Institute on AI, pedagogy and curriculum was held for a five-person faculty team. In addition, school-based GenAI teams were formed to learn about, use and plan for generative AI for administrative and instructional tasks, a fall 2024 generative AI speaker series was held with another series planned for the spring for faculty interested in learning more about how to incorporate generative AI tools into their courses and faculty members will participate in the AAC&U Symposium on AI Leadership this summer.
• Numerous new programs will be offered in 2025, including Academic Belonging, Classroom Climate & Community, Universal Design for Learning Lunch & Learn and Partners in Peer Review for Online Courses.

The College held numerous events, including the eighth annual German American Business Summit; the Mroz Global Leadership Institute Summit on Conflict, Cooperation and Diplomacy: Perspectives on the Middle East, Latin America, China and Russia; the Women for Women Summit; and the 10th annual Strategic Investment Symposium.

The College split the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering into two schools: the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.

A new, innovative ARCH Scholars Program was formed within the Honors College. ARCH, which stands for Achievement Realized through Community in Honors, provides highly capable incoming students with an enhanced experience during their first two years at the College.

Twenty-four faculty members wrote articles for The Conversation.

Mortar Board awarded the College chapter three awards and an honorable mention in its first year as a member.

The College of Charleston Faculty Awards of Distinction honored faculty members who excelled professionally in their teaching, research, mentoring of students, professional service and/or advising. The 2025 award winners will be announced in April.

The third annual College of Charleston Expo will be held Thursday, April 10, 2025 in TD Arena to showcase CofC students’ mentored research, scholarship, creative inquiry and community service projects.

Four new academic programs launched in fall 2024:

• Advanced Manufacturing, Certificate
• Global Leadership, Certificate
• Health Services Administration and Management, B.S.
• Executive Master of Business Administration, MBA