Donna Arnett, Ph.D., executive vice president for academic affairs and provost

Donna Arnett, Ph.D. is the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of the University of South Carolina. Reporting directly to the President of the University, Provost serves as USC’s chief executive officer in the President’s absence, as she is involved in all  core University operations. As the University’s chief academic officer, Provost Arnett oversees all academic units (colleges, schools, and campuses) and major academic support units, such as advising,  University Libraries, the Office of Enrollment Management, and Institutional Research, Assessment and Analytics. She works closely with fellow administrators, deans of colleges and academic and advising units, as well as many others across the University to set academic priorities and move them forward.

For appointments, please contact Ashley Dantzler

Mary Alexander, Ph.D., vice provost for academic administration and Chief of Staff

Dr. Alexander is responsible for planning and managing all administrative, financial, and operational activities for academic affairs. She manages the division’s budget; oversees the human resources and IT functions for the division; Community Engagement for the institution; Military Affairs, which includes ROTC; as well as the university’s calendaring office. She has budgetary oversight for all USC Columbia academic units and provides guidance on operational issues that are elevated to the Office of Academic Affairs.

Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., vice provost for faculty affairs (interim)

Dr. Fitzpatrick is responsible for coordinating and advancing the interests of faculty, including leadership training, family friendly requests, tenure, promotion, and review, endowed chairs, dean reviews, internal grants and SEC travel grants. She also maintains the University Policies and Procedures Manual.

For appointments, please contact Vanezza Seastrunk

David Cárdenas, Ph.D., vice provost and associate vice president for Global Affairs (interim)

Dr. Cárdenas leads the university in championing internationalization through his work with Education abroad, International Student and Scholar Support, the International Accelerator Program, the English Program for Internationals, and other globally-focused entities. As the Senior International Officer, he works with university leaders to expand programs and strategies for the recruitment and retention of international students and scholars, increase domestic student participation in international educational opportunities, and build collaborative partnerships with foreign institutions.

Lara Lomicka Anderson, Ph.D., vice provost for undergraduate studies (interim)

Dr. Lomicka Anderson oversees general education requirements, the First-Year Reading Experience and provides guidance on undergraduate academic initiatives within and beyond the classroom.  She is responsible for Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning, Office of On Your Time and the University Advising Center.

Shannon Means, MPA, vice provost for strategy and innovation

The vice provost for strategy and innovation is a newly created position to help facilitate work necessary to propel the University of South Carolina to future successes. Shannon Means will work to advance the USC mission, strategic plan and foster opportunities for innovation, identifying programmatic opportunities available to academic units on campus, enhancing a business intelligence infrastructure, and using thorough data analysis to inform conversations with academic leaders. She works with campus deans and other academic decision makers to leverage resources effectively and improve university accomplishments and student success outcomes.

Scott Verzyl, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions

Scott Verzyl leads Enrollment Management, which includes the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Office of the University Registrar, the Visitor Center, New Student Orientation, TRIO Programs, Veterans Services, Legal Residency, and Enrollment Analytics.

For appointments, please contact Andrea Avant