SC State establishes Professional Academic Advising Center to advance student success
New advising hub powers retention, accelerates graduation and strengthens student support across campus
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University has established a Professional Academic Advising Center as part of a broader effort to improve student retention and graduation rates.
The new center is a key component of a comprehensive institutional strategy aligned with the university’s Garnet and Blue Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening student success outcomes across the institution.
A bold shift in how SC State supports students
As part of this effort, the university is implementing a centralized advising model designed to provide consistent, proactive and student-centered support across the academic enterprise. Central to this transformation is the establishment of the SC State Professional Academic Advising Center, which will serve as the hub for integrated and high-impact advising services. Tyron Clinton has been appointed executive director of the center.
The center is launching with five professional advisors who will deliver personalized, high-touch support to students, with a focus on academic planning, early intervention and sustained engagement. Summer pilot programs will begin this year to support incoming and continuing students, allowing the university to refine its advising model ahead of full implementation.
This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to building a structured and accountable student success framework that prioritizes persistence, academic progression and timely degree completion. By aligning advising, first-year experience and student success services, the university is strengthening its capacity to identify challenges early, deploy targeted interventions and ensure that students remain on track to graduate.
One team, one strategy for student success
In addition to this initiative, the university is strengthening its student support infrastructure through aligned leadership across key areas. Dr. Samuel Hinton will serve as executive director of the Student Success Center, and Dr. Lisa Sparks will continue to lead the First-Year Experience as executive director.
These units will work collaboratively to deliver a seamless and comprehensive student support system that addresses the academic, social and developmental needs of students from entry through graduation.
All areas will report to Dr. David Staten, associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs and student success and engagement, ensuring strategic coordination, accountability and alignment with the university’s overarching student success goals.
Driving results through leadership and accountability
“Enhancing student retention and graduation outcomes is central to the future of South Carolina State University and a core priority of our Garnet and Blue Strategic Plan,” said President Alexander Conyers. “This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student who enrolls at SC State is supported, empowered and positioned to successfully complete their degree.”
Building on that institutional commitment, university academic leadership is focused on strengthening the systems that support student persistence and completion.
“Our focus on retention and graduation is not only about metrics, but about student transformation and institutional responsibility,” said Dr. Frederick M.G. Evans, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Through this integrated and intentional model, we are strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality academic support, improve student outcomes and fulfill our mission of developing graduates who are prepared to lead and serve.”
That integrated academic approach is reinforced through coordinated leadership and execution at the student success level.
“This coordinated approach reflects our commitment to excellence in student success,” Staten said. “By aligning advising, first-year experience and student support services under a unified framework, we are positioning our students for sustained academic achievement and timely degree completion.”
SC State continues to build on its legacy of excellence by investing in innovative strategies that empower students, strengthen academic support systems and advance institutional effectiveness in alignment with its long-term strategic vision.