SC State University becomes South Carolina’s only Research 2 institution, signifying ‘high research activity’
“This designation places South Carolina State among the nation’s top-tiered research institutions” – SC State President Alexander Conyers.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster joined South Carolina State University President
Alexander Conyers on Tuesday in announcing that SC State has achieved Research 2 (R2)
status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
“This is a defining moment in our university’s history, one that reflects our steadfast
commitment to academic excellence, innovation and impactful research,” Conyers said
in the announcement at the university’s Fine Arts Building. “Achieving R2 status is
no small feat. In fact, we are one of only 139 institutions from more than 3,000 colleges
and universities across the country who were evaluated for this designation.
“This is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, the hard work of our students
and the unwavering support of our alumni, staff and community partners,” he said.
“This designation places South Carolina State among the nation’s top-tiered research
institutions, expanding our opportunities for federal funding, partnerships and groundbreaking
discoveries that will benefit not only our university, but the entire state of South
Carolina and beyond.”
The R2 status signifies a university with "high research activity," meaning it spends
at least $5 million on research and awards at least 20 research doctorates annually.
SC State exceeded both criteria in 2023, devoting $7.8 million to research and awarding
25 doctoral degrees.
McMaster congratulated the university on achieving the milestone with a pledge to
“keep this going.”
“This institution is superior in many, many different ways at many different levels,”
McMaster said in the announcement SC State’s Fine Arts Building. “As long as we work
together – if we communicate, collaborate and cooperate -- there is no end to what
we can do.”
SC State is now the state’s fourth top-tier research university, joining Clemson University,
the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina, all
of which are Research 1 institutions. The R2 designation will allow SC State to compete
for even more federal and private research funding.
A wide array of research initiatives is ongoing at SC State, spanning all five of
the university’s colleges. They include such topics as:
· Agriculture
· Alternative energy
· Artificial intelligence
· Astrophysics
· Augmented and virtual reality
· Cancer
· Cybersecurity
· Logistics
· Metabolic syndrome illnesses -- reducing incidences and prevention
· Nuclear engineering
· Transportation
· Education -- PreK-12 and postsecondary.
In addition to the university’s faculty scientists and researchers, both graduate
and undergraduate students at SC State conduct research alongside faculty mentors.
“SC State University has long been committed to research excellence, investing in
resources and expanding our capacity to drive innovation and discovery,” said Dr.
Louis Whitesides, vice president for the university’s Public Service and Agriculture
division and vice president for research. “Achieving R2 designation is a significant
milestone, but it is also a reflection of what we have always known — our research
enterprise is impactful and essential to advancing knowledge and solutions that benefit
South Carolina, the nation and the world.
“This recognition affirms the dedication of our faculty, students and staff who continuously
push the boundaries, and it strengthens our resolve to further elevate SC State’s
land-grant mission of improving quality of life through research, education and public
service,” Whitesides said.
SC State also is home to 11 Centers of Excellence, institutes and academies with research,
education and outreach missions:
· The National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
· Center of Applied Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture
· Center for Energy and Environmental Solutions
· Center for Nuclear Criticality, Radiochemistry and Spectroscopy
· Health Equity Research and Training Center (HERT-C)
· Center for Food Safety & Health
· Center of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics
· Savannah River Environmental Sciences Field Station
· James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center
· The Institute for Business, Environment, Communications and Transportation
· The Agriculture and Family and Consumer Sciences Academy.
Dr. Frederick Evans, SC State’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, described
the occasion as celebrating a new chapter in the university’s ongoing journey of innovation,
excellence and community.
“We are committed to fostering an environment of growth, collaborations and empowerment
for all who are part of our vibrant university community,” Evans said. “That’s all
citizens in the state of South Carolina and the nation.”
SC State’s Institute for Business, Environment, Communications and Transportation
(BECT) will host a faculty-student research symposium on Friday, Feb. 26, from 9 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m. at the SC State Engineering & Computer Science Complex. Students and
faculty will present their latest research endeavors and findings at the symposium.
A video of Tuesday’s announcement is available on SC State’s YouTube channel.