L. Jeffrey Perez, Ph.D.

President and Executive Director
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education

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

I often say “colleges are in the future business” and that’s never been more true than it is right now. Our colleges and universities are stepping up in a big way to meet South Carolina’s future workforce needs and this alignment is something we all take very seriously. Our higher education sector recognizes the importance of providing a skilled workforce, and forging strong relationships between our campuses and local businesses is a vital linkage within the process. Whether it’s partnering with a global manufacturer or a mom-and-pop shop on Main Street, we see our institutions working to align programs and produce graduates who can fill the jobs that we need to fuel our state’s continued economic growth.

At the strategic level, we are contributing to this alignment by working with other state agencies in the Coordinating Council on Workforce Development to make higher education part of a seamless pipeline from early learning all the way to graduate school. Our institutions have shown they are ready and willing to adapt and work together so that we can create the brightest future possible for South Carolina’s graduates.

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

South Carolina is facing the “enrollment cliff” differently than states in other parts of the country. 

First, unlike many states that are seeing population losses, South Carolina continues to grow because a steady stream of people who attracted by what our state has to offer. We may see a decline in the number of high school students, but not to the far greater extent that states in the Northeast and Midwest will experience — their colleges and universities will have to look elsewhere for students. The challenge for colleges and universities in South Carolina will be the increased competition for our state’s students. 

Second, our state has done a tremendous job attracting new industry, which is driving our increased population. These industries are highly technical, and most of these new jobs require specialized training. We see a consistent stream of new partnerships between these business and our higher education institutions to provide training to South Carolinians.

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

There’s an old curse, “May you live in interesting times.” Higher education is facing a period of disruption not seen since the dramatic increase in enrollment after World War II, thanks to the GI Bill. Change is coming at a breakneck pace. Part of our job at CHE is to provide clear information and incisive analysis to policy makers that will help guide their decisions regarding college and universities in South Carolina. We also provide opportunities for campuses to collaborate and coordinate on the challenges they face so they may address them effectively and efficiently. 

How do you combat the growing skepticism about the value of higher education, particularly in light of rising costs and perceived job market relevance?

By holding institutions accountable for their operations we enhance their credibility with the public.  For example we produce an annual Statistical Abstract that provides a wealth of data on their operations.  CHE also approves new academic program approvals and monitors the productivity of existing programs at our public comprehensive and research institutions. These review and approval processes ensure that our public institutions are providing high quality, high value programs that feed directly into related jobs across our state.

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

I’m pretty handy with household repairs. Over the years I’ve had so many things go wrong I’ve had the opportunity to fix them. Recently I tore apart the clothes dryer and replaced the belt. Thank goodness for YouTube how-to videos.