SMC's Colleen Perry Keith has accepted the president's position at Pfeiffer University.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I will miss SMC and my Pioneers. This is a great college and one that plays a very important role in getting students started on their higher education journey. Of everything we have accomplished over the past six years, I am most proud of the fact that SMC is no longer the ‘best kept secret’ in the Upstate. People recognize the value that we offer and our amazing success rate (85 percent of SMC students go onto complete their college education elsewhere, compared to 20 percent nationally for two-year colleges) is evidence that we are doing an exceptional job at implementing our mission.”
Under Keith’s leadership, SMC has completed a major funds campaign, increased its capacity for fundraising, raised its public profile across the state, expanded its alumni programming, started two new degree programs, and taken on capital projects including the construction of Ellis Hall. SMC’s enrollment has remained strong throughout Keith’s tenure and the college’s athletic programs have continued to thrive in competition at the national level.
Keith serves on the boards of the Greater Greer Education Foundation, Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce and the Mary Black Foundation among others in the upstate.
The SMC Board of Trustees will launch a search for Keith’s replacement in the next several weeks.
“While we are sad to be losing Dr. Keith, we know that this is a great fit for her skills and experience and a wonderful next step for her career as a college president,” said Phinnize Fisher, chair of the board for SMC.