Anna Crawford

The board received an economic and population growth outlook from the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. Key actions included approving a tuition and general fee freeze for the 2025-26 academic year, authorizing a list of permanent improvement projects, and accepting the FY 2023-24 financial audit. Trustees also approved six new institutional strategic pillars. The president provided updates on data management initiatives, the deployment of an AI-powered recruitment tool, brand and style guide updates, and the development of the South Carolina Institute for the Prevention of Sexual Violence on College Campuses. Furthermore, the board reviewed plans for upcoming reaccreditation efforts, academic restructuring to support workforce development, and received reports from the Faculty and Staff Senates.

The board approved several new academic programs including a Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence, a Bachelor of Science in Content Creation and Digital Marketing, and a Master of Science in Information Systems. Additionally, the board approved the termination of secondary education concentrations in Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and History, and passed amendments to the Faculty Handbook regarding tenure, promotion, and evaluations. Two new policies concerning boiler safety and temporary worker safety management were also approved. During the president's report, updates were provided on the university's focus on in-demand programs, campus infrastructure projects including the Uptown Administrative Building and the Nursing Experiential Learning Center, the R2G graduation initiative, cybersecurity efforts, and preparations for an upcoming capital campaign.

The meeting commenced with the introduction of the newest member of the Board of Trustees and confirmation of compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Key discussions centered on committee reports. The Academic Affairs Committee brought forward seven action items, primarily focusing on restructuring business degrees by elevating Accounting and Financial Services to independent B.S. degrees, transitioning Entrepreneurship to a B.S., and terminating the general Business Administration B.S. degree. Other academic actions included proposing a new Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Early Childhood Education and restructuring Secondary Education programs. The Finance, Facilities and Audit Committee reported unanimous approval for maintaining current undergraduate and graduate tuition rates for the 2026-27 academic year, thereby freezing tuition for the eleventh consecutive year. They also approved several Permanent Improvement Projects, including renovations and a proposed 300-Bed Residence Hall, and approved entering a lease agreement for off-campus student housing for 2026-27. The committee also accepted the FY 2024-25 Financial Audit, which received a clean audit opinion. The Policy Committee received unanimous approval for four policy items, including Telecommuting and Remote Work, Board of Trustee Conflict of Interest, Use of the University Seal, and Senior-Level Administrator Evaluations. During the President's Report, updates included record-breaking enrollment, plans for a new Information Commons groundbreaking in March 2026, the search for an Associate Provost of Artificial Intelligence, and the announcement of strong financial performance, including clearing debt on Centennial Hall in June 2026. The session concluded with an executive session from which no action was taken.

The Lander University College of Business and Technology's vision is to be the most industry-embedded and workforce-focused college in South Carolina. The college is committed to preparing students for tomorrow's workforce by prioritizing experiential learning through job shadowing, internships, and a dedicated consulting office. It offers diverse programs across business, computing, media, and design, alongside flexible online and graduate options, aiming to equip students with problem-solving and critical thinking skills for successful and impactful careers.

This document is Lander University's 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog, providing comprehensive information on graduate programs, academic policies, and student resources. It details various Master's degrees across colleges including Business and Technology, Education, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, and Nursing, Human Performance, and Health Sciences. Key areas covered include admission criteria, curriculum specifics for degrees like MBA, MSM, MAT, M.Ed., MFA, and MS, financial aid, and academic regulations. The catalog serves as a guide for prospective and current graduate students, outlining requirements for academic success and program completion.