College of Charleston President Glenn McConnell ’69 participated in a panel discussion about the future of higher education at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce 2015 Economic Outlook Conference in North Charleston on March 4, 2015.
From left to right, Clemson University President James P. Clements, College of Charleston President Glenn McConnell, Charleston Southern University President Jairy Hunter and Medical University of South Carolina President Dr. David Cole.
The other panelists were Clemson University President James P. Clements, Medical University of South Carolina President Dr. David Cole and Charleston Southern University President Jairy Hunter.
The College was also represented at the annual event by staff, faculty and members of the College’s Board of Trustees. Economics professors Frank Hefner and Mark Witte from the College’s School of Business helped produce the economic forecast that was presented at the event.
“The future of higher education is in collaboration, not competition and duplication,” McConnell told the audience.
McConnell also highlighted the College’s role in supplying graduates to serve the region’s growing high-tech economy, noting that the College’s computer science department has swelled from 199 majors in 2011 to more than 400 majors today. Over the next few years, the College expects to have more than 500 computer science majors, he said.
While applauding state leaders for their efforts to lure more businesses to South Carolina, McConnell also called on lawmakers to give equal attention to the state’s education system. “The state needs to be aggressive about bringing new businesses in,” he said. “Also, it needs to be aggressive about our education system and preparing people to be able to take these jobs.”
