AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – The University of South Carolina Aiken is expanding its reach into technology and the cybersecurity industry in the CSRA.
USCA Chancellor Dr. Daniel Heimmermann outlined the push during the school’s State of the University address, calling for new investments in AI-driven degrees, high-tech lab facilities and a larger tech footprint beyond the classroom.
Chancellor cites regional, national role
“We’re in the CSRA, and the CSRA is a cyber and AI corridor. So it’s very important to our region, but also to our national security as well,” Heimmermann said. “Number one job is to serve students and also serve our region, state and country.”
New lab facility welcomes students
A new collaborative lab facility opened last year and officially welcomed students for classes this fall. Bill Jackson, interim dean of USCA’s College of Sciences & Engineering, said students are already seeing the impact.
“They’re in a facility where there are a lot of engineers. And so they can see that on a day-to-day basis. And that’s very different than going to class, and their professor tells them this is how it’s going to be or this is how the real world works,” Jackson said.
USCA mechanical engineering student Tillman Miller said he agrees.
“It’s nice. It shows that they really care and that they’re trying to get the students into a professional field,” Miller said.
Chancellor frames growth as partnership
Heimmermann said the tech growth is meant to add a second option to existing tech programs, not compete with them.
“We are a collaborative partner. There’s enough AI and cybersecurity education for everybody,” Heimmermann said. “And so we partner with Augusta University, with other universities in these important areas that really require us massively building our workforce in those areas.”
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