University Officials

In addition to our president and board, our leadership includes board approved officers governing academics, operations, research, development, finance, technology, human resources, student affairs, athletics, communications, compliance, facilities and transportation.

Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost 

Tayloe Harding is our chief academic officer and oversees the schools and colleges of the Columbia campus and regional campuses in Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter and Union. He directs the Office of the Provost and is charged with overall leadership of academic affairs, including curriculum development and academic standards in the schools and colleges.

Senior Vice President for Administration

Ed Walton is responsible for coordinating the planning and activities of non-academic areas of the University of South Carolina. As leader of the university's Division of Administration and Finance, he oversees business affairs, facilities and transportation, finance, human resources and law enforcement and safety.

Chief of Staff

Mark Bieger is the primary liaison between the president and all other areas of the university for internal and external matters. He is responsible to coordinate, synchronize and integrate the activities and efforts of the university to achieve the highest degree of unity of effort and success.

Vice President for Human Resources

Caroline Agardy leads the Division of Human Resources, which manages the university’s talent recruitment; benefit and compensation programs; international employment; employee relations and performance management; HR operations; reporting; and, HR systems. She is also responsible for fostering the personal and professional development of university employees and providing consultative services in the area of organizational development.

Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer

Doug Foster provides leadership for information technology, research computing and e-learning. Under his direction, the Division of Information Technology makes substantive contributions to the teaching and research missions of the university and equips students with technology needed to achieve academic success. Information Technology services are critical to the productivity of the university.

Vice President for Research

Prakash Nagarkatti leads a team that provides our faculty and students with the support they need to break new ground in a variety of exciting fields, from creating advanced materials to creating new plays, choreography and music. The Office of the Vice President for Research helps our researchers find the money and time they need to fully practice their scholarship. 

Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost for Academic Support

Dennis Pruitt works with partners inside the university and outside to create an optimal learning environment. Under his leadership the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support assists our students, faculty and staff on the Columbia campus and enhances the educational experience for all.

Interim Chief Development Officer

Will Elliott leads the university’s fundraising program to secure private gifts in support of students, faculty, research, programs and facilities.

Director of Athletics  

oversees including all intercollegiate athletic teams, hundreds of student athletes, coaches, support staff and more than a dozen state-of-the-art sports arenas and athletics facilities. Prior to becoming Director of Athletics, Tanner served as head baseball coach and led the Gamecocks to back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011. 

Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Associate Provost for Inclusion

John H. Dozier serves University of South Carolina as its inaugural chief diversity officer. He is responsible for leading diversity and inclusion efforts that are focused on creating a learning, living and working environment that embodies our values — as stated in our Carolinian Creed. 

Executive Director of the Office for Innovation, Partnership, and Economic Engagement 

Bill Kirkland serves as the point of contact for businesses seeking to connect with the university’s world class resources. Under his leadership, the Office for Innovation, Partnership, and Economic Engagement builds industry partnerships to drive economic development, leads the commercialization of innovative technologies, and champions entrepreneurship and workforce development. The office coordinates outreach efforts across all eight university campuses to create a more diversified economy and to make South Carolina more competitive regionally, nationally, and globally.

Interim Chief Communications Officer and Director of Public Relations 

Jeff Stensland is the university’s spokesperson and leads the team that tells the stories of our students, faculty and staff. Those stories are shared with the general public through the news media, our own printed publications and our digital communications.

General Counsel and Executive Director of Compliance Programs

Walter "Terry" Parham is responsible for all institutional legal advice, including drafting contracts, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations and reviewing all university policy development. His office represents the university in litigation and serves as a clearinghouse for responses to requests for information made under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.