The board of trustees of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, has recently approved a seven-year contract extension for President Roslyn Clark Artis, extending her presidency through June 30, 2031.
In June 2017, Dr. Artis became the fourteenth and first woman president and CEO of historically Black Benedict College. Since she took office, the HBCU has increased its enrollment by 233 percent and the four-year graduation rate is now 5.4 percent above the national average and 11.4 percent above the state of South Carolina average. Over the past seven years, Dr. Artis’ leadership has guided Benedict through substantial growth in research capabilities, financial stability, academic programming, and campus infrastructure.
“We are exceptionally proud and fortunate to have such a strong leader guiding the college to higher heights and through the numerous challenges facing higher education institutions today,” stated Charlie W. Johnson, chair of the college’s board of trustees. “President Artis is keenly aware of the current issues students face, and she has demonstrated a deep commitment to providing students with formative learning experiences that prepare them to lead and succeed professionally and personally.”
Dr. Artis holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from historically Black West Virginia State University, a juris doctorate from West Virginia University, and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
