News Summary
Courtney Catledge has been appointed as the new campus dean of the University of South Carolina Lancaster. Previously serving as interim dean, Catledge is expected to enhance community engagement and student development, building on the campus’s history of success in nursing education. Her leadership aims to continue the positive trajectory of USC Lancaster, which has been recognized nationally for its educational excellence.
LANCASTER, SC – Courtney Catledge has been appointed as the new campus dean of the University of South Carolina Lancaster, effective immediately. The announcement was made on May 5, 2025, by USC Palmetto College Chancellor Susan Elkins, who emphasized Catledge’s extensive leadership experience and her successful history in training nursing graduates.
Catledge is recognized for her strong connections with both internal and external stakeholders, which are expected to play a crucial role in the campus’s growth and engagement within the local community. Following the campus’s successful celebration of its 65th anniversary, her leadership is seen as pivotal in continuing its positive trajectory.
Previously, Catledge served as the interim campus dean since January 2024 and held the position of director for the USC Lancaster Bachelor of Science in Nursing Collaborative Program. Her tenure has been marked by impressive enrollment growth with multiple semesters of historic increases since 2017, positioning USC Lancaster as a leader among two-year institutions.
USC Lancaster has consistently been recognized for its excellence in education, holding the title of the No. 1 two-year campus in South Carolina for eight consecutive years from 2018 to 2023. Furthermore, it was ranked as the No. 2 two-year campus in the nation for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021.
In addition to her role at the university, Catledge has made significant contributions to the community’s health educational pathways. She successfully secured $2.8 million in rural innovation grants from the Center for Rural and Public Health, which will support a program aimed at strengthening the rural healthcare workforce in South Carolina. This program establishes a pipeline for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to transition into earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Having lived in Lancaster her entire adult life, Catledge is deeply rooted in her community and is passionate about positively impacting the lives of local residents through education. She aspires to enhance student development and community integration at USC Lancaster.
The selection process for the new dean involved a national search, identifying Catledge as one of the top three candidates out of a pool reviewed by a 13-member committee. This committee comprised an array of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders. Michael Sonntag, the former campus dean of USC Sumter, chaired the search committee that ultimately chose Catledge for the role.
Catledge’s academic credentials include a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of South Carolina, along with a Master of Public Health (MPH) in public health administration from USC and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Clemson University.
As she begins her new role, Catledge is committed to serving both the university and the Lancaster community, focusing on empowering students to become productive citizens who contribute positively to society.
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Additional Resources
- Columbia Business Report: USC Lancaster Appoints New Dean
- Lancaster News: New Dean Announcement
- Lancaster News: USC Lancaster Celebrates 65th Anniversary
- Columbia Business Report: USC Construction Project Update
- Columbia Business Report: Hall of Fame Induction
- Wikipedia: Nursing
- Google Search: University of South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Public Health Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: University of South Carolina Lancaster
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