Our Leadership

The system's research institution in Columbia joins three additional comprehensive institutions across the state to provide traditional four-year degree programs, awarding bachelor's and advanced degrees. Together with Palmetto College, these institutions and their leaders are dedicated to their students and their local communities.

Campus Chancellors

Susan Elkins — Palmetto College

Named chancellor of and chief administrative officer of Palmetto College in February 2013, Chancellor Susan Elkins coordinates the entire university system's degree completion programs. Elkins is also responsible for the overall planning, resource allocation and program evaluation of the USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie, USC Sumter and USC Union campuses as well as the online bachelor’s degree completion programs offered by the four senior campuses — USC Aiken, USC Beaufort, USC Columbia and USC Upstate.

Daniel Heimmermann — USC Aiken

A former university provost and vice president for academic affairs, Heimmermann will focus on student success of USC Aiken as well as addressing the workforce needs of the region through the addition of new degree programs. Renowned for its high-quality, accessible, industry-aligned academic programs, USC Aiken is also committed to transformative, engaged teaching, compelling research, and partnerships that enrich the lives of students as well as the region and state.

Bennie L. Harris — USC Upstate

As chancellor, Bennie Harris brings higher education executive leadership expertise to USC Upstate. He intends to continue Upstate’s commitment to growth by improving academic programs, creating programs that respond to new employment needs, deepening the impact of service, adding new facilities, renovating and adapting existing spaces to emerging technologies and methods, and expanding the permanent resources necessary for long-term service and success.

Al Panu — USC Beaufort

With a career in higher education that spans nearly 30 years, chancellor Al Panu was appointed to his current role at USC Beaufort in June 2015. It was the vision for USC Beaufort that attracted him to the chancellor position including of a distinctive academic, student-centered and community-engaged education. Passionate about bridging higher education and community, Panu is eager to expand USC Beaufort's efforts to provide first-rate, world-class higher education to the Lowcountry region of our state.

 

Palmetto College Campus Deans

Courtney Catledge — Lancaster

Dr. Courtney Catledge, Professor and Director of the USC Lancaster Bachelor of Science in Nursing Collaborative Program, was appointed Interim Campus Dean at USC Lancaster in January 2024. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Community and Public Health, Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Administration, all from the University of South Carolina, and a B.S. in Nursing (BSN) from Clemson University.

Ron Cox — Palmetto College Columbia

Professor Ron Cox was named Dean of Palmetto College Columbia in 2019. He first joined USC Salkehatchie as an instructor in 1992 and was named director of the USC Salkehatchie Walterboro campus in 2000. While serving as associate dean for academic and student affairs at USC Lancaster from 2002 to 2019, he was promoted to the rank of professor of history in 2015. 

Randy Lowell  — Union

Professor Randy Lowell began teaching at University of South Carolina-Union in 2012 before later transitioning into an administrative role. He currently serves as interim campus dean. Lowell, a research-focused psychology professor, is the founder of the campus’ Perception, Attention, Language and Memory Psychology Lab and USCU Research Club.

April Cone — Salkehatchie

Professor April Cone became Regional Campus Dean in summer 2022. As a Registered Nurse, Dr. Cone began in the nursing partnership program at University of South Carolina Salkehatchie in 2010 where she served as Student Success Manager for three years, followed by Faculty and Program Manager for nine years before transitioning to the role of Campus Dean. Dr. Cone was instrumental in the creation of the high-fidelity nursing simulation lab on USC Salkehatchie's Walterboro campus and is an Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Development Program Fellow.

Eric Reisenauer  — Sumter

Professor Eric Reisenauer was named Interim Campus Dean in July 2024. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Loyola University Chicago in 1997 and soon after began teaching at USC Sumter. Most recently, Reisenauer served as Executive Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs where he led numerous initiatives on the campus over the years. In Sumter, he has volunteered and served on the boards of many community organizations including the Sumter County Friends of the Library, Sumter County Gallery of Art, and the Heart of Sumter Neighborhood Association.