Constance A. Anastopoulo

President
Charleston School of Law

How do you feel South Carolina colleges and universities are preparing students to meet the state’s future workforce needs?

At the law school level, we continue to see quality students coming from South Carolina colleges and universities in our applications to Charleston Law.  This evidences the work state undergraduate institutions are doing in preparing students for the state’s future workforce whether directly after graduating college or after obtaining a graduate degree such as a J.D. 

How is your institution preparing for the looming drop in traditional college-age students and the so-called “enrollment cliff?”

To prepare for the “enrollment cliff,” Charleston School of Law is focusing on enhancing affordability, personalizing the enrollment process, and strengthening student support systems. We are also exploring ways to diversify our degree offerings with an LLM in Maritime Law degree as well as other potential programs. We are also focused on embracing new technologies and building stronger connections with undergraduate colleges and universities and communities.

What can be done to counteract government funding cuts and reduced federal research grants?

No question, this will be a challenge for all institutions of higher education, including Charleston School of Law. Therefore, we have already begun focusing on enhancing affordability through our conversion to a 501(c)(3) entity, building an endowment to offset student costs, and researching other avenues to enhance affordability.

What is your institution’s strategy in addressing the increased integration of artificial intelligence and automation and the expansion of online and hybrid learning models? 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a large role in all of education, including for law schools, but it does not stop there.AI will be an important and valuable tool for practicing lawyers.  Therefore, we are embracing AI and teaching our students how to utilize it as a tool without abusing it as a short-cut. We believe we have a responsibility to teach our students how to utilize this tool responsibly and efficiently, while also understanding the risks associated with it.

What is something people might be surprised to know about you?

I am a diehard SC women’s basketball fan…I went to UVA like Dawn Staley!