S.W.O.T. Analysis Feedback 
Executive Summary

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

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Strengths

• Committed Faculty, Staff and Administration
• Student/Faculty ratio
• Solid University connections to the local Aiken community
  • Academy of Lifelong Learning, Wellness Center, the Arts, USCA in the Alley, welcoming USCA signage downtown
• Improved Alumni connections
• Variety and abundance of non-classroom opportunities, internships and programs
• Strong emphasis on Student Life and Engagement
• Great financial value for the quality of education received
• Nimble and flexible in adopting changes
• Dedication to Global Diversity
• Accreditations, recognitions and affiliations
  • US News & World Report ranking, COPLAC
• Focus on improving Student Success including Retention and Graduation

Weaknesses

• Addressing challenges presented by limited state funding
• Low tolerance for additional tuition increases
• Competing with communities that provide millennials and Gen X with a compelling place to live
• Building more "brand recognition" to be used as a tool for marketing and institutional pride

Opportunities

• Plethora of internship opportunities for students to be workforce ready and gain soft skills
• STEM program offers training, skills and education for students to be relevant in our regional market
• Strong partnerships with:
  • Local school districts
    • Scholars Academy, Professional Development Schools, Ruth Patrick Science Center
  • City of Aiken and Aiken County
  • Industry
• Close proximity to downtown and in an area ripe for development
• Close proximity to Graniteville, which is revitalizing and rapidly growing
• Emerging Opportunities such as Cyber Security

Threats (and Challenges)

• Comparably low state funding to support higher education
  • Touches budgets that impact areas such as (but not limited to):
    • Recruiting highly qualified faculty, staff, administration
    • Recruiting highly qualified students outside of our region
    • Physical Plant
    • Additional maintenance and division funding
• Conflicting public messages about the “value” of a higher education degree
• "19 is the New 15": Student Success challenges created by delayed maturation
• Limited pool of qualified high school students and increased competition amongst institutions
• Increasing "anti-intellectualism" and "ideological rigidity"