Michael Amiridis is the University of South Carolina’s 30th president, committed to using education and research to improve prospects for all South Carolinians. Born in 1962 in Kavala, Greece, Amiridis earned his doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991 and became a U.S. citizen in 2000.

Amiridis began his academic career at USC as an assistant professor in 1994, advancing through the ranks to become chair of Chemical Engineering in 2002, dean of Engineering and Computing in 2006 and provost in 2009. As provost, he initiated an ambitious faculty hiring program, creating 200 new tenure positions over four years, and led development of Palmetto College, the Carolina Core curriculum, Global Carolina and the USC School of Medicine in Greenville.

In 2015, Amiridis became chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago, where he successfully led enrollment growth to 34,000 students and research funding to $450 million. He returned to USC as president on July 1, 2022.

David Clayton serves as executive director of CU-ICAR and associate vice president for economic development at Clemson University. Clayton earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and an International Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Under Clayton’s leadership, CU-ICAR has experienced substantial growth and national recognition within the innovation and research community. Clemson was recently named a finalist for the prestigious APLU National Innovation & Economic Prosperity Awards. The research park has expanded into the new Technology Neighborhood III, welcoming two new tenants: Samaritan Biologics and Purilogics (Donaldson Life Sciences). The facility recently completed and unveiled the 16th iteration of the Deep Orange vehicle prototype, a rapid response vehicle developed in partnership with the U.S. Army suited for rapid response during natural disasters.

Clayton demonstrates his commitment to regional economic development through active board service with the Upstate SC Alliance, the Oconee Economic Alliance and Alliance Pickens. He previously served on the board of Artisphere.

James P. Clements became Clemson University’s 15th president in 2013, after serving as president of West Virginia University. Under his leadership, Clemson has achieved record levels in academics, admissions, enrollment, retention rates, graduation rates, research and fundraising. Through the strategic plan Clemson Elevate, Clements is elevating the student experience, doubling research and transforming lives across South Carolina and beyond. He has helped raise more than $2 billion in private funds since arriving at Clemson.

Clements serves on the board of directors for the Atlantic Coast Conference and the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. He also serves on the executive committee for the Council on Competitiveness, the Special Olympics International Board and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Board.

The grandson of a coal miner and firefighter, Clements is a first-generation college graduate who has published more than 75 papers in higher education, leadership and technology. He created the President’s Leadership Institute at Clemson, a nine-month leadership development program that has graduated 220 participants.

W. Scott Cochran leads Spartanburg Methodist College, where he has transformed the institution through fiscal discipline and curriculum innovation. Under his leadership, the college achieved record enrollment of 1,220 students in fall 2025, marking the first time the institution exceeded 1,200 students in its history.

Cochran pioneered a unique approach to higher education by creating the Camak Core program, making Spartanburg Methodist College the only institution in America to integrate professional development as a required academic component of every bachelor’s degree. Drawing from 37 years in business experience, he recognized traditional career services were insufficient for preparing graduates for the workplace.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wofford College.

Cochran serves as vice chair of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees and chair of its Council of Presidents. He is an avid cyclist who rides between 3,000 and 4,000 miles annually, with most rides beginning at 4:30 a.m.

David J. Cole earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from New Mexico State University and received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York. He completed his internship and residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta and his fellowship in surgical oncology at the NIH/NCI Surgery Branch in Bethesda.

Cole joined MUSC in 1994. In 2003 he was named the A. McKoy Rose Jr., M.D. endowed chair in surgical oncology and was selected as chairman for the Department of Surgery in September 2007. Cole was elected president of MUSC Physicians in 2013 before becoming president of MUSC in 2014.

Cole is board certified through the American Board of Surgery with a primary clinical field of interest in breast cancer as well as melanoma and sarcoma. He has more than 17 years of continuous NIH funding and recently stepped down after seven years as medical director for the center for cellular therapy. His research focused on novel cancer vaccine development and molecular diagnostics.

Elizabeth Davis became Furman University’s 12th president in July 2014, bringing 22 years of experience from Baylor University in Texas, where she served as a member of the accounting faculty and later as executive vice president and provost. She began her career as an auditor at Arthur Andersen & Co. in New Orleans.

Under Davis’ leadership, Furman introduced The Furman Advantage, a distinctive approach combining classroom learning with immersive experiences, mentoring, reflection and career exploration. The initiative has received more than $75 million in support from The Duke Endowment since October 2016. During her tenure, the university has moved from the low 50s into the mid-40s in the U.S. News & World Report rankings and has been voted a “Most Innovative School” six years consecutively.

Davis serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Greenville County. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor in 1984 and her Ph.D. from Duke University in 1992.

Bryan Davis, Executive Director of The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University, leads an eight-person team driving entrepreneurial growth across South Carolina. Davis holds degrees in Business Management, Executive Leadership and Entrepreneurship from Clemson University and credentials from the Wyatt School of Real Estate.

Davis serves on Furman’s AI Strategic Task Force and Corporate and Community Engagement Committee while maintaining his role as a Forbes contributor and Business Council Member since 2023. His career began as a Jr. Account Manager at Erwin Penland, where he learned to manage diverse teams under pressure.

Under Davis’s leadership, the institute launched three major initiatives: FutureX, a two-year venture acceleration residency aiming to grow 100 high-impact companies in Greenville over five years; GVL Starts, an expanded first-time founder program attracting entrepreneurial talent beyond South Carolina; and The Innovation Academy, a summer experience for high-performing high school students exploring startups and innovation.

The institute has supported over 200 new startup ventures over the past four years. Davis, who was a featured TEDx speaker in 2025, explained that the best leaders “embrace this as an opportunity to take whatever comes their way and figure it out by leaning into their own version of ‘entrepreneurially-minded leadership.’”

John H. Dozier leads Columbia College, an institution serving 265 employees, with a philosophy rooted in stewardship and sustainable impact. His extensive civic engagement includes service on the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission as secretary and Midlands Business Leadership Group. Previously, he served on boards including the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, MIT Press Management Board and Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

Dozier holds a Doctor of Education from DePaul University, where his dissertation examined the predictive validity of high school grades to college mathematics performance, an Master of Business Administration from DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from South Carolina State University.

“I measure success by the positive change I help create,” Dozier said. “Leadership is about stewardship—taking responsibility for the growth, health, and direction of the institutions and communities of which I am a part.”

His accolades include the Columbia NAACP Branch Higher Education Award and South Carolina State University Distinguished Alumnus Award. Before entering higher education leadership, Dozier served eight years in the Army Reserves.

Gene Fant leads North Greenville University, which generates $56 million in annual revenue and employs 800 full- and part-time staff. The university recently expanded its academic degree offerings in healthcare and updated its programs in business and entrepreneurship.

Fant holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern Mississippi, a post-doctoral certificate in educational management from Harvard University and five additional graduate degrees spanning education, theology and English. He began his career as a midnight shift short-order cook at Jack-in-the-Box during 11th grade, where he learned to work under pressure and appreciate teamwork in professional settings.

“Learn from the past but never let it dominate your mindset,” Fant said. “Be relentlessly future-oriented and never forget that the past is a case study for what happens next, not a place to dwell.”

Fant serves on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and previously served as vice chair of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission. He is a deacon at Taylors First Baptist Church.

Keith Faulkner leads Charleston Southern University, where he oversees 684 employees and drives significant institutional growth. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Charleston Southern University, a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor from Campbell University and a Master of Laws in Litigation Management from Baylor University School of Law.

Under Faulkner’s leadership, the university has completed major capital projects including dining facility renovations, an Aeronautics and Engineering building expansion and groundbreaking on a new dormitory. The aeronautics program, South Carolina’s only collegiate offering, achieved 33% year-over-year growth, prompting the university’s purchase of Chucktown Flight Training. Engineering qualified for ABET-EAC accreditation on its first attempt, while the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program received CACREP accreditation.

Faulkner serves on boards including Charleston Regional Development Alliance and Trident United Way. He received Charleston Southern University’s Distinguished Alumnus recognition in 2019.

“I would define success as determining what your life’s purpose is and pursuing that,” Faulkner said.

As a first-generation community college graduate, Jermaine Ford understands the transformative power of education. Since becoming Florence-Darlington Technical College’s fifth president in October 2021, Ford has championed pathways to opportunity for underserved populations through his “Reimagining Florence-Darlington Technical College” campaign, focusing on student success, workforce development and connecting residents to family-sustaining wages.

Ford began his higher education career at DePaul University in Chicago before transitioning to the private sector. He returned to higher education at Moraine Valley Community College, then South Louisiana Community College, before arriving at Florence-Darlington Technical College.

His board service includes the Higher Education Research and Development Institute, NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Structured Pathways, McLeod Healthcare, and economic development partnerships in Florence and Darlington counties.

Ford holds an Associate of Arts from Moraine Valley Community College, Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University, Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and Doctor of Education from Grand Canyon University.

Tori Good leads career development at Converse University, where she advocates for the transformative power of higher education. Good holds a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership from Converse University, a Master of Education in Counselor Education from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication from Winthrop University.

Good emphasizes the critical thinking, experiential learning and human connection that higher education provides. She noted that flexibility and adaptability are taught through practice and overcoming challenges—skills that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence or technology. Good actively connects employers in the Upstate region with talented students seeking internships and work-based learning opportunities.

She serves as a board member for Upstate International and Spartanburg Young Professionals. Her career began at Cold Stone Creamery, where she earned Crew Member of the Year recognition.

Born in Northern Ireland, Good moved to the United States at age two and became a U.S. citizen in 2011. She defines success as contributing her best work to the things that matter most.

Hardee leads the South Carolina Technical College System, overseeing 7,000 employees statewide. He holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Coastal Carolina University, a Master of Counselor Education from the University of South Carolina and a Doctor of Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina.

His leadership extends across multiple sectors through board service with the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, South Carolina Hospital Association, SCBio, South Carolina Workforce Development Board and South Carolina Electric Vehicle Statewide Workgroup.

Hardee received the Order of the Palmetto in 2023 and was named South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year 2025. He identifies energy policies, the influx of residents into South Carolina and low unemployment rates as key industry challenges.

A lifelong South Carolinian, Hardee began his career working on a farm in Horry County, where he learned the value of hard work. “I gave my best effort to make good things happen in the lives of other people,” Hardee said about defining success.

Ramy Harik earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lebanese University, followed by a master’s in automated manufacturing engineering technology and a doctorate in industrial and mechanical engineering from Université de Lorraine in France.

Harik serves as an engineering professor at Clemson University, where he leads a research team focused on manufacturing innovation. His leadership philosophy centers on results rather than rigid schedules, creating personal growth opportunities for graduate students and engineers. “Success is not materialistic things but by making a positive impact on those around you and society in the process, and being fair in the process of doing so,” Harik said.

His work has earned recognition including the 2024 South Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness and designation as one of the 20 Most Influential Professors in Smart Manufacturing by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 2020.

Beyond engineering, Harik has written more than 50 songs and formerly performed as a DJ at large events before focusing on family life.

Bennie Harris leads University of South Carolina Upstate, overseeing more than 1,100 employees. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University, a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Marketing from Washington State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from a joint program at the University of Alabama and University of Alabama at Birmingham. His postgraduate training includes fellowships from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Harvard University’s Institute for Education Management and Vanderbilt University’s Higher Education Management Institute.

Harris serves as president-elect of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and president of the Big South NCAA Division I Conference. His board positions include Lipscomb University Board of Trustees, OneSpartanburg Inc., United Way of the Piedmont and Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

“I define success as living a purpose-driven life — one that uplifts others and makes a lasting, positive impact,” Harris said.

His first job working on his family’s farm in rural Mississippi taught him discipline, perseverance and the value of community.

Amanda Herlihy leads the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation, where she has driven significant fundraising success and organizational growth.

A native of Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., Herlihy earned a Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts and Arts Management from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Before joining the Governor’s School, she worked in fundraising for the Film Society of Lincoln Center, where she improved systems and increased revenue.

Herlihy began at the Governor’s School in 2018 as director of development. She served as interim executive director before being named executive director in June 2023. Within her first three months in the role, she secured a six-figure donation. Overall, she has raised more than $5 million and led development of a strategic plan.

Herlihy serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Piedmont Chapter, where she has held roles including vice president of membership and vice president of communications. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Greenville and serves as the Association Health Plan Trustee for Together SC.

His career began in aerospace, working as supervisor of Computational Physics Section at Sverdrup Technology and as a staff scientist at Rolls-Royce North America. Hsu transitioned to academia in 1997, holding faculty and administrative positions at the University of Miami, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Wright State University and San Jose State University. He served as provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Toledo before joining the College of Charleston.

As a researcher, Hsu published 98 refereed journal and conference articles and maintained a continuously funded research lab for 15 years. He received numerous teaching awards and holds an international patent for anion exchange membranes. In 2020, College Cliffs named him one of the 50 Top U.S. College and University Presidents.

Under his leadership, the College of Charleston has expanded its programs, including appointing its inaugural dean of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and launching an Ed.D. in Learning and Inquiry in Practice.

Chandler Jordan leads the South Carolina Council on Economic Education, a three-person organization. Jordan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from USC Upstate in 2009 and a Master’s in Secondary Education from Converse College in 2011.

Under Jordan’s leadership, SCCEE launched a collaboration with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to expand access to the Stock Market Game, offering prize incentives to low- and moderate-income schools. The organization also secured support from the Calvin K. Kazanjan Economics Foundation to enhance educator training and increase exposure to industry and economic concepts.

Jordan serves on multiple boards including Junior League of Columbia as At Large Director, Leadership Columbia Advisory Board as Project Committee and Education Day Chair, JumpStart Coalition of South Carolina and the National Association of Economic Educators as Council Representative. She was appointed to the Financial Literacy Board of Trustees in 2019 and has received a Bronze Curriculum Award from the National Association of Economic Educators.

Gregory Little, Ph.D., earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and both a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As president of Midlands Technical College, Little leads an institution with more than 1,300 employees that is preparing for a historic expansion of its skilled trades programs to meet growing regional workforce demands.

Little serves on multiple boards including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Urban League, CentralSC Alliance and Midlands Business Leadership Group. His extensive civic involvement includes past leadership roles with the United Way as education co-chair, March of Dimes campaign chairman and Midlands Superintendents president.

Recognition for Little’s educational leadership includes the 2018 South Carolina Association of School Administrators Superintendent of the Year and the 2017 Kennedy Center for the Arts District of the Year. “Success is determined by serving others and working on things that have a real impact in your community,” Little said. “When you can build pathways for others to be successful, that is the true definition of success.”

Giuliano Marodin brings more than 14 years of industry experience to his role at the Darla Moore School of Business. Before joining academia, he worked as a consultant in Operations and Supply Chain Excellence and Lean in Brazil and the United States.

Marodin holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in industrial engineering and served as a visiting professor at Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University.

His consulting work included firms in Brazil through the Lean Institute Brazil and his own consulting firm, as well as in the United States through the Center for Operational Excellence. These projects involved leading workshops and guiding employees on improving internal processes and integrating with customers and suppliers.

At the University of South Carolina, Marodin has led more than 60 Lean Six Sigma improvement projects with top-tier companies through the Operations and Supply Chain Center. He serves as president of the College of Operational Excellence at the Production and Operations Management Society.

Perez joined the commission in July 2024. He brings 25 years of higher education leadership experience across three states, including 16 years in South Carolina.

Before the commission, Perez served as president and CEO of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, overseeing advocacy, fundraising and campus support initiatives for 21 member institutions and 36,000 students. He strengthened the organization’s capacity and financial position while providing strategic guidance to campus leaders during the pandemic.

Previously, Perez was vice president for university relations at Winthrop University, where he provided strategic communications guidance and served as principal institutional spokesperson. At The Citadel, he developed communications and marketing plans that helped achieve record enrollments and the highest annual giving in the military college’s history.

Perez holds a Ph.D. in American history from the College of William and Mary, a master’s degree from Binghamton University and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree from Georgetown University.

Nayef H. Samhat serves as the 11th president of Wofford College, a position he has held since 2013. A Detroit native, Samhat earned a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs from The George Washington University’s School of International and Public Affairs, a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University and a Doctor of Philosophy in political science from Northwestern University.

Before joining Wofford, Samhat served as provost and professor of political science and international studies at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He previously held the Frank B. and Virginia B. Hower Associate Professorship of Government and International Studies and served as an associate dean at Centre College in Danville, Ky.

Under Samhat’s leadership, Wofford completed a $470 million comprehensive fundraising campaign and grew its endowment by more than $250 million to exceed $400 million. The college renovated or constructed 11 campus facilities and implemented two strategic visioning processes.

Samhat serves on the executive committee of the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges and the SACSCOC Board of Directors.

Daniel Seiden leads Pinewood Preparatory School, guiding 140 employees in shaping educational excellence. His journey began at Emory University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an economics minor in 2004. Seiden later pursued a Master of Business Administration with a sustainability concentration from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2017, followed by a Doctor of Educational Leadership from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education in 2020.

Seiden’s leadership philosophy emphasizes decisive action. “You cannot make fear-based decisions and indecision is not an option,” he explained. “Heads of school face challenging situations that require swift action.”

His contributions extend beyond Pinewood through service on the executive committee of the South Carolina Independent School Association and the UNC Kenan-Flagler Alumni Council. Seiden received the Klingenstein Fellowship for Heads of School at Teachers College of Columbia University in 2024 and the Dr. Charles S. Aimar Award for Educational Leadership in 2022, SCISA’s highest honor. Despite his demanding role requiring frequent public remarks, Seiden admits he still dreads public speaking.