Michael S. Wilder, Ph.D.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Charleston Southern University

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

 I am confident about the work of the South Carolina institutions of higher education. Our graduates are well prepared for the marketplace both locally and globally.

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

 We believe that focusing on our mission as a Christian university that integrates faith in learning, leading, and serving makes us a distinctive institution. This institutional identity coupled with our commitment to academic excellence, industry partnerships, and market-driven program expansion will attract more students to Charleston Southern University in the coming decade.

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

 Internally, institutions will gain greater operational efficiency as a way of managing budgetary pressure. Externally, institutions will utilize their strong reputations to attract corporate and donor support for prioritized initiatives. Through these combined efforts, universities will accomplish the work that will have greatest societal impact.

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?

At Charleston Southern University, through curricular emphases and internships, we seek to prepare our students for a marketplace that has embraced the application of artificial intelligence in its everyday work models. Our students will be well prepared as they enter the workforce to utilize the tools of their field.

From CSU’s missional perspective, we are excited about the expansion of online and hybrid learning models as they afford students excellent education, along with flexibility and opportunity for immediate vocational application of what they are studying. Our strategy is to provide excellent education to an expanded student body through these online and hybrid delivery systems as we partner with industry leaders.

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

I began my journey to higher education administration by serving in local church ministry as a pastor for fifteen years which led to teaching and serving as an administrator in the seminary context for twenty years prior to joining the leadership team at Charleston Southern University.