On behalf of the University of South Carolina, thank you for considering this important opportunity. This Executive Brief contains an overview of the organization, details on the position and a few points we would like you to consider before pursuing this opportunity.
This document is intended to provide you with information - it is not a contractual document. Some of the material may be subject to change. We will do our best to keep you informed of any new developments over the course of the search.
At any time during the search process, should you have any questions or require further clarification, we would be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Founded in 1801, the University of South Carolina (USC or university) is the flagship institution of the University of South Carolina System (system). The system is the leading educator for the state, serving 53,000 students across eight institutions. Committed to serving a diverse population of students with widely varying backgrounds, career goals, and aspirations, USC offers over 350 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional program levels, affording students the most comprehensive array of educational programs in the state. Graduate and undergraduate degree programs are offered in the following areas: arts and sciences; business; education; engineering and computing; hospitality, retail and sport management; information and communications; music; nursing; public health; and social work. Graduate programs are also available in law, medicine (Columbia and Greenville campuses), and pharmacy.
The flagship campus in Columbia is home to 16 colleges and schools and over 2,600 faculty, many of whom have earned significant recognition, placing the university in the top 5 percent of public universities in the nation for national faculty awards received. As a Carnegie-classified Tier I research (R1) institution, research grant awards were $309 million in the 2024 fiscal year.
The university is a major center for global research drawing students from around the world while also making higher education more accessible for South Carolinians.
Fall 2024 Enrollment (Systemwide)
2023-2024 Degrees Awarded (Systemwide)
#1 International Business Programs
South Carolina’s international business major, #1 ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 25 straight years, is respected within the global marketplace and the companies that fuel it. The university’s International MBA — a top-three in the nation for over 35 years — has been #1 ranked for 11 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.
Nation's Top Public Honors College
The South Carolina Honors College holds the top rating among public honors programs (Inside Honors). Combining the resources of a top-tier research university with the feel of a small liberal arts college, students gain a rigorous, rewarding learning experience that’s second to none.
Nation’s #1 Online Master’s in Nursing
For the fourth straight year, the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing is ranked No. 1 in the country for its online master’s in nursing program. With outstanding faculty, high graduation rates and expansive student services and technology that support clinical education, USC's nursing graduates' comprehensive and experiential education makes them sought after within the healthcare workforce.
A Sport Science Leader
South Carolina ranks in the top five Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments. Students at all academic levels seek the university's sports-related programs within the College of Education, Arnold School of Public Health and the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. South Carolina's deep bench of more than 100 health science programs can transform an interest into a rewarding career.
Institutional excellence demands a level playing field. Diversity-focused programs and organizations help build a more equitable campus climate that supports more members of USC's campus community.
Not only has South Carolina been recognized for having an African American graduation rate in the top 10% of public universities, since 2016, African American freshman enrollment has grown by 85% and both underrepresented minority and Hispanic freshman enrollment have increased over 50%.
Click here to learn more about the University's inclusive excellence.
University of South Carolina - Leadership Spotlights
Michael Amiridis
President, University of South Carolina
Michael Amiridis became 30th president of the University of South Carolina on July 1, 2022. Before coming home to Carolina, he led the University of Illinois Chicago as its chancellor since 2015.
Prior to leading UIC, Amiridis spent more than two decades at our Columbia campus as a faculty member and administrator, serving from 2009 to 2015 as the university's executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.
As a researcher, Amiridis earned the National Science Foundation's award for early-career scientists and engineers in 1999, was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2012 and was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2015.
He and his wife, Ero, are the parents of two children who are both graduates of the University of South Carolina.
John William "Will" Elliott
Senior Associate Vice President for Development and Campaign Director
Responsible for overseeing development efforts for colleges, schools, and units, Will Elliott works closely with executive, advancement, and academic leadership to develop strategies and initiatives to support the mission and continued rise of one of the oldest and fastest growing universities in the country.
Prior to joining USC, he served as Executive Director of Advancement at the University of Florida. In this position, he led advancement efforts for a number of university wide strategic initiatives including the Division of Student Affairs, Division of Undergraduate Affairs, Honors Program, UF Libraries, Parent and Family Programs, and the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program, UF's signature and nationally recognized need-based aid scholarship program.
Prior to joining the University of Florida, Will served as Director of Development at the University of South Carolina and Director of Development at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. Will received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of South Carolina at Aiken.
The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law
The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law is one of the nation's oldest law schools and the state's only nonprofit law school. The School has a lot to offer USCs' students, including enthusiastic faculty, a state of the art building, and a flexible curriculum that allows students to focus on their interests. The Joseph F. Rice School of Law prepares its law students to become lawyer-leaders who serve their communities through successful careers in business, government, and private practice in the state, throughout the country and around the world. The students are taught the law and how to practice through the School's exceptional faculty.
Joseph F. Rice School of Law - Leadership Spotlight
William C. Hubbard
Dean, Joseph F. Rice School of Law
William C. Hubbard served as president of the American Bar Association in 2014–2015. As president, he led efforts to increase access to justice through innovation, reform the criminal justice system, provide legal assistance to unaccompanied immigrant children, improve support for victims of domestic violence, and strengthen the rule of law globally. He previously served a two-year term as chair of the ABA’s House of Delegates. Hubbard is a past president of the American Bar Foundation and a past president of the American Bar Endowment. From 2019–2020, he served as chair of the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which reports to the DOJ and the U.S. Senate on the qualifications of federal judicial nominees.
Hubbard is co-founder and chair of the Board of the World Justice Project, a multinational, multidisciplinary initiative to strengthen the rule of law worldwide.
In 2023, Hubbard was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Council of the American Law Institute (emeritus), as well as the Leaders Council of the Legal Services Corporation. He is an Honorary Master of the Bench of Middle Temple in London.
In 2002, Hubbard was presented the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award presented by a South Carolina governor. In 2007, he received the American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. In 2016, the Burton Foundation, in collaboration with the Library of Congress, named Hubbard the recipient of its inaugural “Leadership in Law” award.
Hubbard served on the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina from 1986–2020 and served as chairman of the board from 1996–2000. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts in History, magna cum laude, from the University of South Carolina in 1974. As an undergraduate, Hubbard received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the university’s highest student award. In 2009, he received the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2010, the university awarded him its highest recognition, the Honorary Doctor of Laws.
After law school, Hubbard was law clerk to U.S. District Judge Robert F. Chapman. He is a former partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Columbia, SC.
USC - Lead Senior DoD, School of Law - Job Description (PDF Download)
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President of Development (SAVP), the Lead Senior Director of Development for the Joseph F. Rice School of Law (School) will be responsible for an effective, comprehensive, and ongoing development program through major gifts fundraising. Responsibilities include planning, managing, implementing, promoting, coordinating, and administering the development program with an emphasis on major gifts for the School. The Director will be responsible for leading a team of fundraising professionals. This position will be part of the University Development team and will operate within the system and procedures of USC Development to ensure consistent and well-coordinated activities. Additionally, there is a strong connection to the dean of the School. The dean provides direction on the fundraising priorities and strategic vision for the School.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Qualifications and Expectations
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Travel
Required to travel to geographical location of donors/prospects and work evenings and weekends. Must have a reliable means of transportation.
Applications and nominations will be accepted until a Lead Senior Director Development, Joseph F. Rice School of Law is appointed. For most favorable consideration, applicants should submit a resume immediately. These nominations, expressions of interest, and applications will be handled with complete confidentiality and may be submitted directly to:
Daniel C. Grassi
Managing Partner
LinkedIn
dgrassi@boyden.com
O. 678.441.9600
Dennis O’Connor
Head of Research
LinkedIn
doconnor@boyden.com
O. 678.441.9600
Ashley Travis
Senior Associate
LinkedIn
atravis@boyden.com
C. 321.578.0333
