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.
Stephen J. Cutler is the interim chief academic officer and oversees the schools and colleges of the Columbia campus and regional campuses in Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter and Union. He 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.
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.
Stacey Bradley, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support, is leading 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 serves as the university’s chief diversity officer and is overseeing the evolution of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the Provost's Office to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the President's Office. He provides vision and leadership for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the university and within the university’s curriculum, infrastructure, policies and programs.
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.
Doug Foster provides leadership for information technology, research computing and e-learning. Under his direction, the Division of Information Technology makes substantive contributions to the teaching and research missions of the university and equips students with technology needed to achieve academic success. Information Technology services are critical to the productivity of the university.
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.
Dennis Pruitt 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 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 and Enrollment Analytics.
Bill Kirkland serves as the point of contact for businesses seeking to connect with the university’s world class resources. Under his leadership, the Office for Innovation, Partnership, and Economic Engagement builds industry partnerships to drive economic development, leads the commercialization of innovative technologies, and champions entrepreneurship and workforce development. 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.