Office of the Provost

Provost Mary Anne Fitzpatrick is the USC Educational Foundation Professor of Psychology and Communication and a globally recognized scholar in communication and relationship studies. She began her academic career at the University of Wisconsin, where she rose through the ranks to hold prestigious professorships and senior leadership roles. In 2005, she was recruited to USC as the founding dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and has since held multiple university-wide leadership positions, including Vice Provost for Special Academic Initiatives, Vice President for System Planning, Interim Chancellor of USC Upstate and – from 2023 until June 2025 – Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.

Currently serving as Provost, she leads all academic affairs across USC’s schools and colleges, championing excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. A prolific scholar, she has authored seven books and over 120 scholarly works, and she is a fellow of major national academic associations including the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her career reflects a deep commitment to student success and academic innovation.

Advancing Academic Excellence at USC

Academic Affairs advances the mission of the University of South Carolina by fostering excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity while promoting student success and institutional effectiveness. Working in partnership with colleges, schools, faculty, staff, and students, we create the conditions for academic innovation, discovery, and lifelong learning.

Our priorities reflect a commitment to strengthening the University's academic enterprise and preparing graduates to lead and serve in an increasingly complex world.

• Faculty Excellence

  The University's success begins with exceptional faculty. Academic Affairs is committed to recruiting, developing, supporting, and retaining distinguished educators, researchers, scholars, and creative professionals whose work transforms lives and advances knowledge. By investing in faculty success, we strengthen the quality of teaching, expand research and creative activity, and enhance the University's national and global reputation.
  

  • Complete the hiring of 100 new tenure track faculty.
  • Support tenure track faculty teaching the first- and second-year classes.
  • Focus on faculty retention, including continued efforts to ensure competitive salaries.
  • Develop new programs for faculty advancement across their careers to support and empower our community of faculty to learn, grow, and thrive as teachers, as researchers, scholars and artists, and as productive members of our community.
  • Emphasize teaching excellence.
  • Advance a thriving campus climate where all faculty and staff feel valued, included and empowered, fostering a greater sense of shared purpose.

• Student Success

  Student success is at the center of every academic endeavor. Academic Affairs works collaboratively across the University to create an environment where students are supported from enrollment through graduation and beyond. Through high-quality instruction, integrated advising, meaningful engagement, and innovative learning opportunities, we help students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.
  

  • Strengthen the four-year advising model and deliver a coordinated, student-centered support experience.
  • Deepen collaboration across Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to improve student success and well-being.
  • Sustain strong recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes.

• Academic Innovation and Program Excellence

  As higher education continues to evolve, Academic Affairs promotes innovation that strengthens academic quality and expands opportunity. We support the thoughtful development of academic programs, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and foster continuous improvement through strategic planning, assessment, and evidence-informed decision-making. Our goal is to ensure that every academic program reflects the highest standards of excellence while preparing graduates for leadership, lifelong learning, and an evolving workforce.
  

  • Sustain high-quality undergraduate certificates and majors aligned with workforce and societal needs.
  • Facilitate the development of high-quality data systems to support data-informed decisions.
  • Provide strategic stewardship of the University’s academic budget through data-informed planning and decision-making.

• Research, Graduate Education, and Global Engagement

  Research and graduate education are essential to the University's mission as South Carolina's flagship public research institution. Academic Affairs supports an environment where discovery, scholarship, and creative activity thrive while strengthening graduate education and expanding opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and around the world. Through global partnerships and research excellence, we increase the University's impact on the state, the nation, and the international community.
  

  • Strengthen innovative international partnerships and expand international learning.
  • Reimagine the Graduate School to provide integrated, efficient services that empower graduate programs to excel in research, scholarship, teaching, and student development.