August 2026 Update

Update from the Chancellor

August 2026

Greetings, Pacer Community,

Welcoming our students and faculty back to USCA is always one of my favorite times as chancellor.

We have a lot to be excited about as we begin the semester.

This is our third consecutive year of record enrollment; our residence halls are at full capacity, and we’re launching two new academic programs that offer students tremendous opportunities and meet regional workforce needs — an undergraduate electrical engineering degree and a master’s program in exercise and sports science.

While this growth is exciting, we must make sure students can take advantage of these opportunities, which is why we’re focused on providing an exceptional education while also being mindful of the cost of earning a degree.

For the eighth consecutive year, we’ve held tuition steady without an increase. This year, we expect to provide more than $36 million in federal and state financial aid, along with more than $1.6 million in privately funded scholarships.

Those numbers tell an important story as 85 percent of our students receive financial aid. More than a quarter of our undergraduate students receive full tuition support, and more than 40 percent graduate without student debt. That’s the kind of impact we want to have — helping students achieve their academic goals and build a strong foundation for what comes next.

We are able to continue with our mission thanks to the continued support and advocacy of our local legislative delegation and others in the statehouse who are equally committed to the success of our students. The South Carolina Legislature recently finalized the FY27 budget, which appropriated new recurring and non-recurring funds for USCA.

The good news for our students is that, for the eighth consecutive year, there will be no increase in tuition, remaining at the same tuition rates first charged in the 2018-19 academic year. By avoiding any increase for another year, we are able to meet a cornerstone priority – providing students with an affordable, accessible and value-added education.

The good news for faculty and staff is a 2 percent pay raise.

And the good news for the university is we received $2.5 million for maintenance, renovations and replacement of campus facilities. An additional $5 million is earmarked for the renovation of the Penland Building, a portion of which will be transformed into an Admissions Welcome Center and a One-Stop Service Center. This will become a central hub for all who visit and attend USCA.

We are grateful for our legislators who share with us our commitment to providing an affordable and accessible, exceptional educational experience for every Pacer. With this increased state funding, coupled with the impressive stewardship of every member of the faculty and staff, enrollment increases and the relationships forged by our advancement team, the university is well positioned for the coming year.

I plan to share additional updates during the annual State of the University address on Sept 9, at noon in the Etherredge Center. Please join us. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Until then, we have lots of information to share and look forward to seeing you on campus or in town, visiting with our students, whether at a concert in the Convocation Center featuring award-winning rap artist, Wacka Flocka Flame, Sept. 10; the annual Constitution Day lecture, Sept. 17, or at the soccer doubleheader Sept. 26., when we will celebrate the opening of our new soccer field.

We have a lot of energy on campus right now; come be part of it.

Dan Heimmermann

USCA Chancellor

News from the University

USCA cybersecurity students connect with the those shaping the War Department’s workforce

Mark Gorak, director of the Cyber Academic Engagement Office and principal Director for Resources & Analysis at the Department of War's Office of the Chief Information Officer, toured USCA’s Regional Security Operations Center on Aug. 20 and shared with students skills, opportunities and career pathways within the DoW.

USCA welcomes record-breaking Class of 2030

On Aug. 17, USCA welcomed its largest freshman class yet, with approximately 700 freshmen. That’s an 18 percent increase from last year. The Class of 2030 represents 17 states and 15 nationalities, with Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Biology emerging as the top three majors.

USCA in Savannah River National Lab’s AMC

USCA engineering students are now engaged in classes and labs held in the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, located on campus. We are proud to be the only institution in the state with a national laboratory, offering this type of access to students every day.

USCA celebrates second annual Downtown Takeover

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Downtown Takeover on Aug. 22! Your support and enthusiasm helped make the evening a memorable celebration of USCA and the Aiken community. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make the event such a success, and we hope to see you again next year!

Take a look at some of the pre-event coverage featured on WJBF News Channel 6, WFXG FOX54 and WRDW News 12.

Students’ summer research highlighted in AMC

More than 30 students showcased their research during the annual Summer Scholars Institute poster presentations held – for the first time – in Savannah River National Laboratory’s AMC. Students worked closely with USCA faculty mentors to explore research questions, conduct experiments and develop projects in areas spanning science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Students’ research tackle military’s cyber challenges

Several computer science students presented their cyber and AI-related research to military and industry leaders during TechNet Augusta, Aug. 17-20. During the annual conference, Dr. Hala Strohmier, head of the computer science department, introduced students to representatives from the Department of War Office of the Chief Information Officer, including Mark Gorak, director of the Cyber Academic Engagement Office and principal director for resources and analysis.

USCA LIFE kicks off banner year

The USCA LIFE program now offers a four-year experience and has welcomed its largest cohort yet, including one student from Shreveport, Louisiana. The program has now grown to 37 students.

Six disciplines, one classroom: a fresh take on the first year

This fall, 92 first-year students step into the second year of HSSI A150: An Introduction to Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, a team-taught course where six professors each bring a text or case study from their own field to a shared theme the power of education to shape lives.

Over 16 weeks, students examine that theme from six vantage points, moving between literature, history, language, sociology, communication, and performance, and rounding out the experience with performances and enrichment activities beyond the classroom. Along the way they build the skills that carry across any career: communicating clearly, thinking critically, and adapting to new challenges—a versatility national data increasingly bears out, with recent LinkedIn research in Forbes finding arts, humanities, and social science graduates especially well-equipped for a changing job market.

USCA profs hurl into luck of Irish during traditional sport

Professors are busy in and out of the classroom, including two who play on a local hurling team. Dr. Brian Parr, of the exercise and sports science department, and Dr. Eric Carlson, English, are part of the Augusta Gaelic Sports Club. Their team won its division during the southeast regional tournament in June and competed for the national championship in Massachusetts right before classes started.

Hurling is a traditional Irish field sport played with a stick, called a hurl, which is much like a flat baseball bat, and a sliotar, which is like a baseball. Players can hit the ball on the ground, as in field hockey, or in the air like lacrosse. Positions and movement on the field are akin to soccer.

Pacer dining spaces get a facelift

During the summer, USCA's dining partner invested in the university's facilities, enhancing students' experiences. The SAC Café now includes a new gluten-free zone and a UCook station where students can prepare their own meals and participate in hands-on and video-displayed cooking seminars.

The remodeled Starbucks includes new artwork, furniture, and fixtures. New selections include cold brew and nitro coffee services on tap. Online ordering is now available, which expedites ordering and pickup so students can get across campus more quickly.

Save the date

State of the University Address, delivered by Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor. Date: Sept. 9 Time: 12 -1:30 p.m.; doors open at 11:30 a.m. Location: Etheredge Center

City of Aiken unveils Dr. Joseph Kameen’s mural design in The Alley Date: Sept. 10 Time: 5:30 – 6 p.m. Location: The Alley, downtown Aiken Immediately following the unveiling, attendees are invited to walk around the corner to the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens Street SW, for the opening reception of Kameen’s latest exhibition, “Everything I Have.” The reception will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view through Oct. 15.

The Etherredge Center will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Cultural Series with an unforgettable evening of music featuring The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. Get your tickets today by visiting the Etherredge Center website! Date: Sept. 12 Time: 7 p.m. Location: Etherredge Center

Aiken in the Exchange, a free lecture series hosted by the College of Arts, kicks off with “AI vs. Us,” presented by Paul Crook, executive director of the Etherredge Center. The series continues monthly through December. Date: Sept. 17 Time: 11 a.m. Location: Aiken Energy & Innovation Exchange, inside the Tom Young Center for Research and Innovation at 151 Newberry St., NW.

USCA’s annual Constitution Day presentation features Dr. Woody Holton’s discoveries of Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams. Date: Sept. 17 Time: 3:30 p.m. Location: Penland, room 106

Family Day will feature games, food and activities for everyone. The event is free to attend. Date: Sept. 26 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: The Quad

USCA’s Soccer stadium grand opening and doubleheader takes place on Family Day. Date: Sept. 26 Time: 4 p.m.

In case you missed it

USCA News: USCA students conduct biology research in the heart of Harvard USCA library dean helps Aiken County educators balance creativity and AI in the classroom USCA kicks off the new school year with Downtown Takeover USCA LIFE student represents Aiken at Special Olympics USA Games From college to career: Internships prep USCA business major for a future

Aiken Standard: Encouraging curiosity: An up-close look at USCA's international population USCA starts fall semester with increased growth USCA LIFE hosts move-in day USCA research presentation event provides a glimpse into what goes on into university labs USCA hosts largest freshman orientation program ever

Channel 6: Aiken community invited to Downtown Takeover event

FOX54: USCA invites the community to downtown Aiken

News 12: USCA gets ready for Downtown Takeover USCA LIFE program students move in with record enrollment

WFXG FOX54: USCA invites the community to celebrate major milestones