During the past decade, the University of South Carolina’s 28th president, Harris Pastides, has led USC’s flagship system of eight institutions in 19 geographic locations to higher achievements and unprecedented growth.

Under Pastides’ tenure, the university has seen the USC Honors College rise to the No. 1 public honors college in the nation; celebrated continual top rankings in undergraduate and graduate international business, public health, engineering, nursing and others; and rapidly increased research funding, which surpassed a $1 billion capital campaign goal.

To date, more than 90,000 degrees have been awarded systemwide during Pastides’ presidency.

In 2016, Pastides became one of seven Fulbright alumni to receive the inaugural Global Changemaker Award — given in recognition of his ongoing commitment to transform society and humanity through his work. The son of Greek immigrants, Pastides also received the 2017 prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor which pays homage to the immigrant experience and the contributions made to our nation by immigrants and their children.

Today, Pastides serves on many local, state, national and international boards including the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, the Fulbright Program, and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. He is a past chair of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and currently serves as the Vice President of the Southeastern Conference.