By Eric Skipper
Innovation is the lifeblood of a university, driving the evolution of academic programs, the adoption of new technologies and methodologies, the formation of strategic partnerships, and the resolution of regional challenges. The first ideal of USCB’s Academic Master Plan is “a spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and connectivity.” At USCB, this spirit of innovation is rooted in our commitment to addressing the needs of our region.
USCB is the lead institution for a $1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant designed to develop a cybersecurity ecosystem in the Lowcountry. In collaboration with the S.C. Ports Authority (Charleston) and the Ga. Ports Authority (Savannah), the grant’s public and private partners have established the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute (MCSI) to address cybersecurity measures related to the commercial maritime sector.
The MCSI secured 501(c)(3) status in January, and an additional $1 million from the SC legislature. The Institute endeavors to elevate port cybersecurity regionally and nationally. The NSF grant follows a $1.3 million Department of Defense grant to support regional workforce development, including exiting military, in cybersecurity.
With the help of state appropriations, donor funds, and the Philip Rhodes family as primary benefactors, USCB faculty and students have reinvigorated research on Pritchards Island. The pristine barrier island provides a baseline model for understanding and protecting our coastline, which is vital to our region’s quality of life and economy.
Research includes projects related to sea turtle and shorebird research and monitoring, marine life populations, coastal erosion, and the island’s ecological health. The recently established Pritchards Island Research and Living Shores (PIRLS) initiative will play a leading role in fortifying coastal marshes and securing the Lowcountry coastline’s vitality for the future.
To address the critical regional need for more nurses, USCB has partnered with Beaufort Memorial Hospital to build a state-of-the-art Simulation and Nursing Education Center. The partnership will provide needed facilities to enable USCB to grow its Nursing program. The Center will feature the latest high-fidelity equipment including advanced simulation technology, task training equipment, and live standardized patient experiences.
The Center is supported by funding from the City of Beaufort and Beaufort County, and $1 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant supported by U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham. USCB students will begin using the BMH facility in the spring, and the first cohort will rotate through in fall of 2025.
On campus, the university has endeavored to create the “library of the future” for students, employees, and other patrons. The plan, under development for two years, will offer a state-of-the-art learning facility that anticipates advancements in AI, big data, and other technologies. In alignment with USCB’s focus on experiential learning, Bluffton campus library renovations will feature an inviting, open design that includes collaborative and quiet spaces, a data visualization lab, an interdisciplinary makerspace/ media lab, “genius bars” offering one-stop patron support for technology and research needs, enhanced digital and physical collections, and enhanced technology resources.
Renovations are underway this summer and will be completed in September. Renovations to the Beaufort campus library will begin in spring of 2026.
The advent of the new Hyundai electric vehicle plant and the Korean EV battery facility in nearby Bryan County, Georgia has prompted USCB to assume a leadership role to enhance intercultural competencies in light of the influx of Korean culture. USCB was recently awarded a Fulbright-Hays grant to fund the “South Korean and Asian Literacy Education” (SKALE) project, which supports in-depth cultural experiences for faculty, students, and K-12 educators in the area.
The grant funds a four-week program in South Korea this summer for participants, curriculum development, and a Korean Cultural Studies Conference to take place in October.
As an institution committed to experiential learning, USCB engages students in tackling regional challenges through undergraduate research, service learning, and field experiences. These hands-on activities have enabled USCB students to earn prestigious national awards for research and service, and gain admission to highly selective graduate and professional programs.
In today’s dynamic and ever-evolving world, universities must continually innovate to meet emerging needs. At USCB, we strive daily to embed this adaptability into our core mission. Our efforts start right here in the Lowcountry.
Eric Skipper, Ph.D., is provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at University of South Carolina Beaufort.
