College of Charleston Launches New STEM Schools to Meet Growing Demand

College of Charleston to Launch New STEM Schools to Meet Growing Demand

CHARLESTON, S.C. – New Academic Opportunities for STEM Students

In an attempt to bridge the gap between the growing demand for STEM-educated professionals and the current output of STEM graduates, the College of Charleston has announced its plan to create two new academic study opportunities. This comes after witnessing a significant upswing in STEM student demand and an increasing need for workforce development.

Unanimous Approval for Creation of Two New Schools

On Friday, the College of Charleston’s Board of Trustees gave their unanimous support to the launch of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. It has been established that the two new institutions will start hosting students from the Fall of 2024 at the Harbor Walk facility, a picturesque establishment bordering Charleston Harbor at 360 Concord Street, located in close proximity to the South Carolina Aquarium and Liberty Square.

Meeting Future Requirements in STEM

Andrew Hsu, the president of the university, outlined the initiative as an important step in their commitment to develop the college’s existing STEM-related departments and facilitate their evolution into innovative scientific schools. He emphasized that the establishment of these new schools is a part of the college’s 10-year strategic plan aimed at growth and expansion.

A report by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a surge of approximately 18.7% in science and engineering jobs over the coming decade. With this future forecast in mind, the college is focused on equipping the local Charleston community and neighboring regions with the much-needed support for high-tech, manufacturing, and engineering industries. “It means we can better serve our local community, we can better partner with our industry partners and we can be a better public university for the state of South Carolina,” said Hsu.

Temporary and Permanent Staff Appointments

As part of the initial phase of implementing the plan, Seth Pritchard, a seasoned academician, has been appointed as the interim dean of the new colleges. He will hold the office until a national search is completed and a permanent dean is hired.

Decoding the Curriculum

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics is set to include within its curriculum the Departments of Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics. Simultaneously, The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences will include the Departments of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Physics and Astronomy.

The establishment of these new schools is another step on the path of creating opportunities and supporting the local community. The College of Charleston is investing in its future and that of the city of Charleston, — a decision that will echo through the upcoming years as more and more students take advantage of these opportunities to flourish in the STEM field.