USCA Advances Strategic Plan 2030 Goals with Record Growth and Innovation

AIKEN, S.C. — USCA continues to make significant strides toward achieving the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan 2030: Educate. Innovate. Inspire., advancing its mission to deliver high-quality academics, impactful research, and service to the region and state.

During the past year, USCA celebrated numerous milestones reflecting strong momentum across all five pillars of its strategic plan:

Delivering a Future-Ready Curriculum

USCA continues to develop innovative academic programs aligned with workforce needs. New offerings include a Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning, expanded MBA specializations in Artificial Intelligence, Corporate Governance, and Sports Management, and forthcoming bachelor’s degrees in Cybersecurity and Electrical Engineering.

Experiential learning remains a hallmark of a USCA education, with more than 105 employers sponsoring internships and hands-on projects this year. Partnerships with agencies like the Department of Energy and Department of Defense continue to provide students with unmatched professional opportunities, including security clearances and direct workforce entry.

Supporting Student Success

USCA also remains one of the most affordable institutions in the region — tuition and fees have remained flat for eight consecutive years. Strategic recruitment and retention initiatives have resulted in a projected 4–6% enrollment increase this fall, including record numbers of full-time and international students.

Student success initiatives, such as the new Peer Ambassador for Student Success (PASS) program in the School of Nursing and enhanced academic advising through the new Advisor Academy, have helped raise retention to a record 91%. Housing occupancy has also increased by 10%.

Enhancing the Campus Experience

The university continues to invest in a vibrant and engaging student environment, hosting more than 700 events and supporting 91 student organizations. Recent upgrades include a new softball field, $13 million in deferred maintenance projects, and $2 million in technology enhancements — including a high-performance computing research cluster to support advanced research.

Athletics has also evolved its offerings and secured new talent, helping instill athletic pride campus-wide. The men’s basketball team again won the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, marking the third straight year the team has won the championship. In addition, 92% of USCA student-athletes were named to the PBC Honor Roll. During the past year, these student-athletes also logged in 151 hours of community service, totaling 50 events.

A new campus master plan will transform the university into a more residential, student-centered environment, with expanded green spaces, improved amenities, and potential public-private partnerships for housing, retail, and mixed-use development.

Serving the Region and State

USCA contributed more than $350 million to the local economy last year and supported over 1,500 jobs. The newly opened Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) strengthens partnerships with Savannah River National Laboratory, providing students hands-on experience in engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, and more.

Ground has also been broken on the South Carolina National Guard’s Cyber Integration Center and Readiness Center, positioning USCA as a national leader in cyber education and defense collaboration. Additionally, a new downtown facility on Newberry Street will showcase USCA’s role in economic development and workforce training.

Strengthening Institutional Foundations

USCA launched its first fully integrated marketing campaign and refreshed its visual identity to raise awareness across the state and region. Legislative support and private giving continue to fuel institutional growth, with more than $2.1 million raised in private donations and $3.3 million in estate gifts last year. The new campaign has already appeared on billboards in the Aiken and Augusta areas and will be deployed via Meta advertising channels and print media over the next 12 months.

The university also secured $2.36 million in recurring state funding to maintain tuition affordability and $8.35 million to modernize its science facilities. Faculty and staff remain the institution's heart, with significant investments in compensation, promotions, and professional development.

“While the landscape of higher education is constantly changing, USCA’s resolve remains strong,” said USCA Chancellor Dr. Daniel Heimmermann. “With continued support from our partners, donors, and community, we will continue to deliver on our mission — preparing the next generation of leaders and advancing the economic and cultural vitality of our region and state.”

For more information see the USCA Strategic Plan.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.