Want to see more photos from the ribbon cutting? Check them all out here!
Background Information
The USC Aiken School of Business Administration (SOBA) is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the hallmark of excellence in business education. Only 5% of the world’s schools of businesses can claim that as a point of pride. Reflecting the university’s culture of commitment to community partnerships, the School of Business Administration takes as its motto “Educating through Engagement.”
Professors in the USC Aiken School of Business Administration for years have contractually provided economic analysis to businesses and organizations throughout South Carolina. Sample projects have ranged from production of numerous Regional Economic Benchmarking Reports for Aiken County conducted for the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken, Edgefield, and Saluda Counties to an economic impact study of the Savannah River Site on five adjacent counties in South Carolina and Georgia.
Other sample projects include assessment of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Flow Down to Local Community conducted for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the economic impact of Aiken Preparatory School on the local economy, and a research study conducted for the South Carolina chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. No project has been too large or too small for SOBA. This work underscores the value that local and regional business leaders place on evaluations conducted by SOBA.
The purpose of establishing the Pacer Center for Excellence in Business Research and Entrepreneurship (Pacer Center) is to use the School of Business Administration’s expertise in the field of economics, finance, accounting, marketing, management, and data analytics to enhance local, regional, and national economy while engaging students in business research and experience.
Mission of Pacer Center
The mission of the USC Aiken Pacer Center is to provide data-driven, unbiased, rigorous research that will enhance society. The Pacer Center will provide a unique opportunity for USC Aiken students to engage in entrepreneurship, cutting-edge research, and service.
Vision of Pacer Center
USC Aiken Pacer Center aspires to be the recognized authority and leader in economic development, business research, and entrepreneurship in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA).
Faculty
Dr. Sanela Porca will be appointed Executive Director of the Pacer Center for Excellence in Business Research and Entrepreneurship. The Pacer Center will rely on the business faculty, fellows, and student interns to work to enhance the local and state economy. Please contact Dr. Sanela Porca for more information on how the USC Aiken Pacer Center can be of service to you and your business.
Aiken Technical College Business Transfer Certificate Courses
The UofSC Aiken School of Business Administration and Aiken Technical College have created the Business Transfer Certificate Program. ATC students who enroll in this program and successfully complete the courses listed below will transfer 39 general education credits and six upper-level business credits to UofSC Aiken. Other courses may be transferrable to UofSC Aiken. For a complete list of transferrable credits, please refer to the UofSC Aiken Office of Admissions transfer webpage.
|
ATC Business Transfer Certificate Courses |
Credit Hours |
|
ENG 101 (English Composition I) |
3 |
|
ENG 102 (English Composition II) |
3 |
|
SPC 205 (Public Speaking) |
3 |
|
MAT 110 (College Algebra) |
3 |
|
MAT 122 (Finite College Mathematics) |
3 |
|
CPT 101 (Introduction to Computers) |
3 |
|
HIS 201 (American History: Discovery to 1877) |
3 |
|
ACC 101 (Accounting Principles I) |
3 |
|
ACC 102 (Accounting Principles II) |
3 |
|
ECO 210 (Macroeconomics) |
3 |
|
ECO 211 (Microeconomics) |
3 |
|
MGT 101 (Principles of Management) |
3 |
|
MKT 101 (Marketing) |
3 |
|
Total Certificate Hours |
39 |
Students who complete the above Business Transfer Certificate at Aiken Technical College and are admitted to the School of Business Administration at the University of South Carolina Aiken will receive credit for the following classes at UofSC Aiken.
|
UofSC Aiken Course Equivalents |
Credit Hours |
|
ENGL 101 (Composition) |
3 |
|
ENGL 102 (Composition and Literature) |
3 |
|
COMM 241 (Public Speaking) |
3 |
|
MATH 108 (Applied College Algebra) |
3 |
|
MATH 170 (Finite Mathematics) |
3 |
|
BADM 290 (Introduction to Information Systems in Business) |
3 |
|
HIST 201 (History of the United States from Discovery to 1865) |
3 |
|
BADM 225 (Principles of Financial Accounting) |
3 |
|
BADM 226 (Principles of Managerial Accounting) |
3 |
|
ECON 221 (Principles of Macroeconomics) |
3 |
|
ECON 222 (Principles of Microeconomics) |
3 |
|
BADM 371 (Principles of Management and Leadership) |
3 |
|
BADM 350 (Principles of Marketing) |
3 |
|
Total Hours |
39 |
- Communication: BSBA students will develop the written and oral communication skills necessary for success in their business careers.
- Technology: BSBA students will develop basic technological skills to prepare them for their business careers.
- Global Perspective: BSBA students will acquire a global perspective of the modern business environment.
- Business Knowledge: BSBA students will acquire the basic business knowledge necessary for success in their business careers.
- Ethics and Social Responsibility: BSBA students will develop an appreciation of the ethical decision-making, and the social responsibility of business to all its stakeholders.
BSBA Assessment Tools
USC Aiken SOBA utilizes several measurement methods to evaluate each of the five program learning goals within the BSBA.
Learning Goal: Communication
| Measurement | Benchmark |
|
Writing Proficiency Portfolio |
SOBA students' average score is not more than one standard deviation below the USC Aiken average score. |
|
Oral Presentation Skills - BADM 478 (in-class rubric) |
80% of the students pass in accordance with the rubric. |
|
Business Senior Exit Survey |
70% of the students respond adequately or higher to the communication questions. |
|
BADM 345: Business Communication (embedded test) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
Learning Goal: Technology
| Measurement | Benchmark |
|
Excel Technical Skills - BADM 290 (embedded test) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
|
Database Management Skills BADM 390 (embedded test) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
|
Excel and Database Management Skills BADM 298 (In-Class Project) |
80% of the student will score 6 or higher using the designed rubric. |
|
Excel and Database Management Skills BADM 299 ( In-Class Project) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
|
Excel and Database Management Skills BADM 300 (In-Class Project) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
|
Business Senior Exit Survey |
70% of the students respond adequately or higher to the technology questions. |
|
Major Field Test |
BSBA students will be within one standard deviation of the corresponding national mean for the MFT in the measured area. |
Learning Goal: Global Perspective
| Measurement | Benchmark |
|
Global Business knowledge BADM 383 (embedded test) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
|
Business Senior Exit Survey |
70% of the students respond adequately or higher to the communication questions. |
|
Major Field Test |
BSBA students will be within one standard deviation of the corresponding national mean for the MFT in the measured area. |
Learning Goal: Business Knowledge
| Measurement | Benchmark |
|
Major Field Test |
BSBA students will be within one standard deviation of the corresponding national mean for the MFT in the measured area. |
|
Business Senior Exit Survey |
70% of the students respond adequately or higher to the Business Knowledge question. |
Learning Goal: Ethical and Social Knowledge
| Measurement | Benchmark |
|
Ethical and Social knowledge BADM 397 (embedded test) |
80% of the students pass with C or better. |
|
Business Senior Exit Survey |
70% of the students respond adequately or higher to the Business Knowledge question |
|
Major Field Test |
BSBA students will be within one standard deviation of the corresponding national mean for the MFT in the measured area. |
MBA Assessment Goals
USC Aiken SOBA utilizes several measurement methods to evaluate the program learning goals within the MBA.
| In-Class Assignments |
| MFT Exam |
| Ethical Reasoning Essay |
| Global Perspective Case Study |
| Projects |
| Business Simulation Experience |
Enactus SOBA at USCA Officers & Points of Contact
| President | Kari Mercer |
| Vice President/Treasurer | Cat Bodick |
| Treasurer | Emily Lammers |
| Sam Walton Fellow | Brent Hoover |
Spring 2022 Meeting Times
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00 pm in B&E 102
Mission
Enactus is an international organization based on using business education for social innovation and real-world change. Enactus USC Aiken is a local chapter which has so far placed an emphasis on helping the Graniteville community.
Students who take entrepreneurial action make the world a better place for all of us.
Highlights
Upcoming Events and Projects
Cindy's Sweet Shoppe
- Students will offer testable recommendations in areas such as inventory management, profitability analysis, packaging solutions, employee retention, etc.
Past Events and Projects
2021
Area Churches Together Serving
- Brought awareness to the value of donated goods through production of a brochure and video detailing the value of those donations and how they are used to better the community
- Created Excel database for ACTS that will allow them to track physical donations more efficiently
2020
Area Churches Together Serving
- Worked on outreach to bring awareness to the value of donated goods
2019
Nationally Nominated for Excellence in Community Engagement
Competed at Enactus Nationals in Kansas City, MO.
Enactus National Exposition
- Placed 4th in our region
Inaugural Graniteville Economic Development Expo (IGED)
- Hosted business networking festival for Graniteville companies to network, build relationships, and make new hires
2018
Competed at Enactus Regionals in Philadelphia, PA
Hope Center School Project
- Provided assistance to a Graniteville church, Christ Central, with founding a school for vocational training including a paralegal and culinary program
UofSC Aiken Campus Blessing Box
- Project with ACTS, built give/take box for underserved UofSC Aiken students who have trouble affording food for themselves
2017
Organization Started in Fall Semester
Project with 2nd ACTS ReSale Store in Graniteville
- Accounting and logistic help with a struggling non-profit charity thrift store, turned sales around
Christmas at 2nd ACTS
- Event for sales at the ReSale store at end of year, day with the most sales for that store on record
What is Assurance of Learning?
Assurance of Learning is the systematic processes for determining and revising degree program learning goals; designing, delivering, and improving degree program curricula to achieve learning goals; and demonstrating that degree program learning goals have been met.
What is Assessment?
Assessment is the process of collecting, reviewing, and using information about educational programs for the purpose of improving student learning and development.