In addition to our president and board, our leadership includes board approved officers governing academics, operations, research, development, finance, technology, human resources, student affairs, athletics, communications, compliance, facilities and transportation.
Donna K. Arnett is the chief academic officer and oversees the schools and colleges on the Columbia research campus. She directs the Office of the Provost and is charged with overall leadership of academic affairs, including curriculum development and academic standards in the schools and colleges.
Ed Walton is responsible for coordinating the planning and activities of non-academic areas of the University of South Carolina. As leader of the university's Division of Administration and Finance, he oversees business affairs, facilities and transportation, finance, human resources and law enforcement and safety.
Reporting to the university president, Chief of Staff Stacy Fritz serves as the primary liaison between the president and all other areas of the University of South Carolina for internal and external matters. In this role, she provides advice and organization to the president in the administration of a wide variety of activities.
Larry Thomas is the university and system spokesperson and leads all marketing, branding and public relations efforts on behalf of the university. Under his leadership, the Office of Communications and Marketing shares the stories of our system, university, students, faculty and staff with the public through the news media as well as university publications and digital communications.
Michelle Dodenhoff leads the Division of Development in the university’s efforts to secure private gifts in support of students, faculty, research, programs and facilities.
Julian R. Williams oversees the Division of Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement, which includes the Office of Access and Opportunity, Office of Civil Rights and Title IX and Office of Community Engagement. He works to align the university’s access and opportunity efforts, ensure compliance with federal civil rights and Title IX requirements, and foster public and private partnerships that bring university knowledge to local communities.
John “Brice” Bible Jr. provides leadership for university information technology initiatives, research cyberinfrastructure and e-learning. Through the Division of Information Technology, he supports the teaching and research missions of the university and equips students with technology needed to achieve academic success.
Caroline Agardy leads the Division of Human Resources, which manages the university’s talent recruitment; benefit and compensation programs; international employment; employee relations and performance management; HR operations; reporting; and, HR systems. She is also responsible for fostering the personal and professional development of university employees and providing consultative services in the area of organizational development.
Julius Fridriksson leads the team that provides our faculty and students with the support they need to break new ground in a variety of exciting fields, from creating advanced materials to creating new plays, choreography and music. The Office of the Vice President for Research helps our researchers find the money and time they need to fully practice their scholarship.
J. Rex Tolliver works with partners inside the university and outside to create an optimal learning environment. Under his leadership the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support assists our students, faculty and staff on the Columbia campus and enhances the educational experience for all.
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.
Stephen J. Cutler leads the university’s economic engagement engine and guides systemwide economic development strategies. Under his leadership, the Office of Economic Engagement serves as the single convergence point for industry, researchers, entrepreneurs and government officials seeking to engage with the university. The office coordinates outreach efforts across all eight university campuses to create a more diversified economy and to make South Carolina more competitive regionally, nationally and globally.
Walter "Terry" Parham is responsible for all institutional legal advice, including
drafting contracts, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations and reviewing
all university policy development. His office represents the university in litigation
and serves as a clearinghouse for responses to requests for information made under
the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
Ray Tanner oversees Gamecock Athletics, including all intercollegiate athletic teams, hundreds of student athletes, coaches, support staff and more than a dozen state-of-the-art sports arenas and athletics facilities. Prior to becoming Director of Athletics, Tanner served as head baseball coach and led the Gamecocks to back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011.