vision 2025: advancing south carolina's capacity and expertise in science and technology

7/30/2019 Vision 2025: Advancing South Carolina's Capacity and Expertise in Science and Technology

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Vision 2025Advancing South Carolinas Capacity and

Expertise in Science and Technology


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Executive Summary

Signiicant strides have been made in the growth and advancement of South Carolinas knowledge-baseover the last decade, but more must be done to build an expanded economic base in this state. The SouthCarolina Science and Technology Task Force (S&T Task Force) cited four general areas for advancementof South Carolinas economy into more technology-driven areas: promotion of research and develop-ment, growth of the health, science and technology workforce, enhancement of education and outreach,and stimulation of economic development. While speciic recommendations were made for each of theseareas, overall success to achieve the goals will require an integrated approach to research, education, andbusiness.

To promote research and development, SouthCarolinas university and college educational programsand research missions need to be aligned with theneeds of technology-intensive industries within thestate and globally. Programs such as SmartStateas well as multi-disciplinary research centers areproving to be successful models, but the state needsto continue to invest and support such initiatives.

Programs and organizations that foster an innovativeand collaborative environment within all educationallevels as well as within the greater communities, suchas Innovista at the University of South Carolina whichwas designed to foster an entrepreneurial environmentin a vibrant, mixed-use urban neighborhood inColumbia, are also essential to promote researchand development. Growth of a health, science andtechnology workforce requires an educated and

engaged public that participates in the South Carolinaresearch enterprise. Increasing the states humanresource infrastructure by educating, graduating, andtraining more students in STEM disciplines, as well asgrowing the STEM workforce, particularly in industryfocus areas where South Carolina can participate

as a domestic and global leader, are keys to growth.South Carolina has excelled in the development ofnew products and processes to maintain and advancethe states global competitiveness, particularly inthe areas of advanced manufacturing, advancedmaterials, digital technologies, and transportation,distribution, and logistics. With over a 30% minoritypopulation that is underpresented in STEM ields, itis critical to encourage and promote their trainingand advancement. By establishing lines-of-sightto introduce students and parents to STEM careeropportunities, by encouraging a STEM education

through public and private sector programs, such as

the Governors School for Science and Mathematics

(GSSM) and Clemson Universitys Math Out of the Box

and Driving Science programs, and by increasing

access to training opportunities, the state can enhance

its education and outreach, which in turn fosters

growth of a technology-savvy workforce that is more

representative of the states demographics. Creating a

business environment in South Carolina that is attractive

to both technology-intensive companies and talented

technology-competent workers is critical to stimulateeconomic development. Up until 1997, South Carolina

had not succeeded in converting its public or private

sector R&D investments into economic development

assets. South Carolina universities were conducting

the vast majority of licensing and patenting activity

with irms located out of the state. Though the federal

Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR)

had helped 15 or more South Carolina businesses start

or expand their operations since 1994, South Carolina

was still ranked among the least effective states in

attracting SBIR funds.1 In 2002, South Carolina ranked

33rd in the country for the number of business start-

ups per 100,000 people, but through concerted efforts

to emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship at the

university level as well as greater alignment between

the research initiatives at the states universities and the

needs of industry, the state has improved its ranking to

4th nationally in 2008. 2

The strategies to achieve the goals for 2025 willrequire vision and leadership from many individualswithin the states businesses, universities, and state

SmartState as well as multi-disciplinary

research centers are proving to be successfulmodels, but the state needs to continue to invest

and support such initiatives.

In 2002, South Carolina ranked 33rd in the

country for the number of business start-ups

per 100,000 people. By emphasizing innovation

and entrepreneurship at the university level and

aligning university research with the needs of

industry, the state improved its ranking to 4th

nationally in 2008.


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1Creating South Carolinas Future Through Technology: Strategies for Developing a Knowledge-Based Economy, South Carolina Technology Advisory Council,December 1997.

2Milken Institute, State Technology and Science Index, 2011.

government. Implementing these strategies will requirethe development of new collaborations for the stateseconomic good. Clearly, the private and public sectorsmust expand their partnerships and continue working

together to invest in and build the strong knowledge-based economy. To accomplish this, the following goals

and recommendations have been outlined below.

Research & DevelopmentSouth Carolina university and college educational programs and research missions are aligned with the

needs of technology-intensive industries within the state and globally.

Develop multi-disciplinary research centers to address complex problems and opportunities that areunique to South Carolina that are nationally and globally competitive.

Expand the SmartState and Endowed Chairs programs at South Carolinas Comprehensive ResearchUniversities to further promote a critical mass of faculty expertise in key areas of research and innovation.

Create a culture-rich environment of innovation and entrepreneurship at academic institutions at all levels(K-12, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty) as well as within communities.

Health, Science, and Technology WorkforceSouth Carolina has an educated and engaged public that understands and participates in the states health,

science and technology research enterprise.

Capitalize and grow existing strengths in industry focus areas by 10% (transportation, energy, life sciencesand agriculture, and environment and sustainability) to promote research through collaborations betweenSouth Carolinas comprehensive research universities and colleges, technical colleges, and industrypartners.

Expand the human resource infrastructure (e.g. students with Ph.D., M.S .and B.A./B.S. degrees) in STEM by25% at South Carolina research universities and other educational units. The South Carolina STEM work-force will be representative of the states population demographic.

Expand cooperative training programs through the South Carolina Technical College System to prepare theworkforce needed by STEM-based industries.

Education and OutreachIndividuals having a STEM education from South Carolina are nationally and globally competitive in the

health, science, and technology workforce.

Promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and literacy in K-12 education viapublic and private sector programs.

Increase access to higher education and training opportunities in science and technology for all SouthCarolina citizens regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

Establish lines-of-sight to introduce students and parents to STEM career opportunities and integrate STEM

needs into South Carolinas educational system through increased involvement of private-sector industries.

Economic DevelopmentThe business environment in South Carolina is attractive to both technology-intensive companies and

talented technology-competent workers.

Establish the culture and environment to promote the development of intellectual property and itscommercialization by research universities.

Increase the level of business education for students pursuing a degree in STEM ields.

Increase scale-up opportunities for high-tech start-up companies.


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Science and Technology Task Force Membership

G. Nathan Carnes, PhDAssociate ProfessorUniversity of South Carolina

David ClaytonDirector, Division of ResearchSC Department of Commerce

Christine Curtis, PhDSenior Vice Provost and Director ofStrategic PlanningUniversity of South Carolina

Lonnie EmardExecutive DirectorIT-oLogy

George FletcherExecutive DirectorSC Council on Competitiveness

Robert FletcherEconomics and FinanceSouth Carolina Governors Schoolfor Science and Mathematics

Wendolyn S. HollandDirector, Strategic Development &

Technical PartnershipsSavannah River National Laboratory

Steve Lanier, PhDAssociate Provost for Research

Medical University of South Carolina

Scott Little, PhDDirector

SC EPSCoR/IDeA State Ofice

Bill MahoneyPresident, Director & CEOSCRA

Jay Moskowitz, PhDPresident and CEOHealth Sciences South Carolina

Prakash Nagarkatti, PhD

(Chair)Vice President for ResearchUniversity of South Carolina

Craig ParksSenior Research AnalystSenate Finance Committee

Wolfram Reddig, PhDSenior Research ChemistMilliken & Company

Gerald Sonnenfeld, PhDVice President for ResearchClemson University

Kelly SteinhilperVice PresidentCommunications & StrategySouth Carolina Technical College

System

Earl Wagener, PhDCEOTetramer Technologies, LLC

John WarnerFounder and CEOInnoVenture, LLC

G. Dale Wesson, PhDVP for Research and EconomicDevelopmentSouth Carolina State University


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IntroductionIn March 1997, Governor David M. Beasley established the 17-member South Carolina Technology Advi-sory Council to prepare a technology strategy, monitor results, and provide continuing guidance on tech-nology issues for the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce. In December 1997, the Technology Advi-sory Council developed a plan detailing the states economic future and knowledge-based economy. Theplan entitled Strategies for Developing a Knowledge-Based Economy provided a framework for makingscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research a driving force for pursuit of higher

education, developing new and enhancing existing high-technology businesses, and creating jobs.

The Council recognized that to signiicantly expand theSouth Carolina economy into more technology-drivenareas, four major strategies would need to be under-taken. Technology-intensive companies from outsideSouth Carolina had cited that the quality of educationand the availability of a technology-capable workforcewere inhibitors to selecting South Carolina as a site fortheir new facilities. Preparing a technology-capableworkforce was essential and would require compre-hensive improvements to the K-12 system as well as in-creased support for college and university educationalprograms and technical colleges to be aligned with theneeds of technology-intensive industries. A businessenvironment that was friendly to technology-intensivecompanies would be critical to attract and grow highly-skilled, knowledge workers. Improvements to thequality of government services available to technology-intensive industries and the enhancement and sustain-ment of a world-class telecommunications infrastruc-ture were identiied as key in forming public/privatepartnerships. The Councils third strategy to invest

and expand the base of rapidly growing companies andstart-up businesses was identiied as advantageous for

several reasons, including in the recruitment of estab-lished technology-based businesses to demonstrate thelevel of innovation taking place in the region. World-class university research programs directly linked toSouth Carolina industry was the fourth major strategyoutlined to propel South Carolina in making signiicantstrides in its knowledge-based economy.

Many inroads have been made in addressing the spe-ciic goals and recommendations outlined by the SouthCarolina Technology Advisory Council in its 1997 plan.Beginning in 2001, the South Carolina State Legisla-ture passed key measures to start the state on a coursetowards signiicantly growing the knowledge economy.Core legislation that was aimed at building the science

and technology enterprise in South Carolina includedthe Research Infrastructure Bond Act of 2004, whichprovided approximately $220 million in research in-frastructure funds for the three research universities;the Innovation Centers Act of 2005, which establishedthree Research Innovation Centers in South Carolina,one associated with each research university; and theIndustry Partners Act of 2006, which provides revenueto be used by the South Carolina Research Authority(SCRA) and the states research universities to commercialize university research discoveries.

In addition to enabling legislation, South Carolinaboasts a lower cost of living and an attractive economicclimate for businesses, which leads to higher levelof job creation and, in turn, greater migration to thearea. South Carolinas tax climate has been particularlyfavorable for mature, labor-intensive manufacturingirms. With one of the lowest tax rates in the country(9th according to the 2010 Tax Foundation State Rank-ings), one of the southeasts lowest priced industrialelectricity rates, one of the top ten states in the U.S. forlowest labor cost, the third lowest unionization rate in

A technology-capable workforce requires

comprehensive improvements to the K-12 system

and increased alignment of college curricula with

the needs of technology-based industries.

Increased emphasis on the science, technology,

engineering and math (STEM) disciplines in K-12

education will increase college attendance,

enhance high-tech businesses and create good

jobs in the state.


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into 2012, the S&T Task Force met to identify partnersand invite new Task Force members that representedthe states science and technology constituencies.Strategic plans were collected from stakeholders, andthemes were identiied for connecting the missionsof the various groups. In July 2012, the S&T TaskForce collaborated to formally evaluate the Statesprogress and develop a plan to expand South Carolinasknowledge-based economy. The Task Force identiieda clear mission and purpose for the state scienceand technology plan, and a careful analysis of thestrengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats wasconducted. The Task Force also identiied the areasof improvement and development since the SouthCarolina Technology Advisory Council put forth theirstrategic plan for science and technology in 1997. Thiseffort has culminated in this document that both unitesthe goals and missions of all the states science andtechnology stakeholders, and sets a course to grow thescience and technology enterprise through 2025.

This document highlights both the signiicant stridesmade in the growth and advancement of South Caro-linas knowledge-base over the last decade as well asthe major strategies looking forward for building an

expanded economic base in our state. The Vision set forSouth Carolina by the S&T Task Force is that by 2025,the state will have advanced the capacity and expertisein science, technology, engineering and mathematics toensure current and future economic growth in a globalcontext, to sustain a high quality of life, and to provideincreased opportunities for all of its citizens. The goalsand recommendations presented here provide anoutline for focusing the states science and technologyenterprise on a common purpose to ultimately realizethis vision.

Through the efforts of many in the public, private, andnonproit sectors working together, South Carolina hasmany of the pieces in place for long-term sustainableeconomic growth. However, the state must continueto emphasize the importance of education at theelementary, high school, community and technicalcollege and university levels, as well as within theexisting workforce.

the U.S., location of the deepwater port at Charleston,and its eficient rail and interstate systems, the statemakes a compelling case for businesses consideringexpansion or relocation. In addition to recruiting BMWto South Carolina in 1991, some of the most signiicantand enviable projects in the South have been won bySouth Carolina over the last couple of years, including,Amazon, Boeing, Bridgestone, ZF Group, First QualityTissue, Continental Tire, TD Bank and BMWs $900 mil-lion expansion announcement in January 2012. Theseseven projects alone will create about 11,000 jobs. Withthe thousands of additional jobs Boeing created afterbeginning production of the 787 in North Charleston inlate 2010, efforts through the South Carolina Depart-ment of Commerce and others in the state have greatlyimpacted the economic development and long-termsustainable growth in the state.1

Since 1997, South Carolina has excelled in the develop-ment of new products and processes to maintain and

advance the states global competitiveness, particularlyin the areas of advanced manufacturing, advanced ma-terials, digital technologies, and transportation, distri-bution and logistics. These core competencies pervademany of South Carolinas dominant industries. In addi-tion, numerous programs and organizations have comeinto being over the last decade or more in South Caro-lina to facilitate the formation and growth of small busi-ness. Several communities, colleges, and universitieshave established ofices to assist in the commercializa-tion of technology and the development of high-growthpotential irms. But even with these successes, it was

realized that more needs to be done to advance SouthCarolinas global competitiveness.

In March 2011, the Vice President for Research at theUniversity of South Carolina, who served as PrincipalInvestigator on the EPSCoR award from the NationalScience Foundation, was asked to work with variousinstitutional and state leaders to develop a StateScience and Technology Plan so that the NationalScience Foundation could assess the direction of theEPSCoR program in light of the overall statewide S&T

initiatives. To that end, the Vice Presidents for Researchfrom South Carolinas three research universities (theUniversity of South Carolina, Clemson University, andthe Medical University of South Carolina), the ChiefExecutive Oficer of SCRA, and representatives fromindustry and government formed the South CarolinaScience and Technology Task Force (S&T Task Force).This group assembled in an effort to revitalize the focuson strategic planning within the science and technologycommunity within the state. Throughout the year and

1Randle, Mike, South Carolina weighs in with some huge job and investment-generating projects April 19, 2012, Retrieved from http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120706/PC1002/120709523/1021/sc-economic-development-efforts-are-riding-a-wave-of-success.

The new jobs which are being created require

strong minds, diversity of thought, and an ability

to continue learning and embracing ever-changing

technologies.

Pamela P. Lackey, President of AT&T-South Carolina


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Research and Development

Goal:

South Carolina university and college educational programs and researchmissions are aligned with the needs of technology-intensive industrieswithin the state and globally.


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In a 2006 article in the journalAcademic Medicine1, a qualitative study suggested that centers offer manybeneits to academic institutions and that the old model of a single investigator had waned while a model

of collaboration and cross-disciplinary research had emerged. The study cited the beneits as aiding infaculty recruitment, facilitating research collaboration, increasing competitiveness for research resourcesand building a sense of community to promote continued learning. South Carolina has long had univer-sity research centers; but in the past decade, through collaboration among government, academia andindustry, the state has begun to create enhanced mechanisms for building and developing centers to solveunique economic and research challenges.

Develop multi-disciplinary research centers to address complex problems and opportunities

that are unique to South Carolina that are nationally and globally competitive.

Recommendation:

SmartState Centers of Economic Excellence

Advanced Fiber-based MaterialsCU-ICAR Automotive Design and Development

CU-ICAR Automotive ManufacturingCU-ICAR Automotive Systems Integration

CU-ICAR Vehicle Electronic Systems IntegrationCyberInstitute

Health Facilities Design and Testing (with MUSC)Optical MaterialsOptoelectronics

Supply Chain Optimization and LogisticsSustainable Development

Urban Ecology and Restoration

Advanced Tissue Biofabrication (with Clemson, USC)Cancer Disparities (with USC, SC State University)

Cancer Drug Discovery (with USC)Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapy (with Clemson)

Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety (with Clemson,USC)

Gastrointestinal Cancer DiagnosticsInlammation and Fibrosis Research

Lipidomics, Pathobiology and TherapyMarine Genomics (with College of Charleston, USC)

Medication Safety and Eficacy (with USC)Molecular Proteomics in Cardiovascular Disease and

PreventionNeuroscience

ProteomicsRegenerative Medicine (with Clemson, USC)

Renal Disease BiomarkersStroke (with USC)

Tobacco-Related MalignanciesTranslational Cancer Therapeutics (with USC)

Vision Science (with USC)

Brain Imaging (with MUSC)Childhood Neurotherapeutics (with MUSC)

Data Analysis, Simulation, Imaging, and VisualizationExperimental Nanoscale Physics

General AtomicsHealth Care Quality (with Clemson, MUSC)

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell EconomyNanoenvironmental Research and Risk Assessment

Nuclear Science and EnergyPolymer Nanocomposites Research

Renewable Fuel CellsRehabilitation and Reconstruction Sciences

SeniorSMART (with Clemson)Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Strategic Approaches to the Generation of ElectricityTechnology Center to Advance Healthful Lifestyles (with

MUSC)Tourism and Economic Development (with Coastal

Carolina University)

state and industry support that each center garnershave helped focus academic research into the areascritical to the states economic development. Thecenters have helped form important collaborations

between academia and industry through innovativeapplied scientiic research.

South Carolina has several Centers of BiomedicalResearch Excellence (COBRE) that are established bythe universities and supported by a combination offederal and university resources. These COBREs arethematic multidisciplinary centers that augment andstrengthen institutional biomedical research capacity.

This is accomplished by expanding and developingbiomedical faculty research capability and enhancingresearch infrastructure, including the establishmentof core facilities needed to carry out the objectives ofa multidisciplinary, collaborative program. Currently,

In 2002, the South Carolina General Assembly had thevision to establish the SmartState Program, fundingit with proceeds from the South Carolina EducationLottery. The legislation authorizes the states three

public research institutionsClemson University, theMedical University of South Carolina and the Universityof South Carolinato use state lottery funds to createCenters of Economic Excellence in research areas thatwill advance South Carolinas economy. Each Centeris awarded up to $5 million in state lottery funds,which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basiswith funds from single or multiple non-state partners(corporations or other entities).

Today there are 50 SmartState Centers in six industry-focused Smart Clusters that are critical to the world andSouth Carolina: Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology,Automotive and Transportation, Biomedical, FutureFuels, Information Science, and Pharmaceutical. The


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The Duke Energy Innovation Center

offers space designed for wet/dry labs

or ofices to support advanced materials

research in close proximity to Clemsons

adjacent world-class Advanced Materials

Research Laboratory (AMRL), as well as

Clemsons high performance computing

center.

The SCRA MUSC Innovation Center is a

state-of-the-art research and business

facility with 11 advanced wet labs

and shared equipment designed to

support sophisticated requirements of

bioscience corporations. Innovations

being commercialized at the SCRA MUSC

Innovation Center include novel human

antibodies by CharlestonPharma, LLC.

The SCRA USC Innovation Center is

designed to accommodate business

ofices and clean next-generation

manufacturing operations by offering

fully customizable open space.

Currently, the SCRA USC Innovation

Center houses Immedion, a growing

data storage and management

provider, as well as Nitek, Inc, a

pioneer in deep ultraviolet-LED lamp

technology.

there are six COBREs within South Carolina thatperform research in areas of particular interest to thestates population, including: oral health, lipidomics,cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, biomaterials, andinlammation. A 2008 evaluation of the nationwideCOBRE program cited the effectiveness of the centermodel in strengthening the research infrastructureof the universities and the development of junioracademic faculty into more productive researchers.

In addition to COBRE, the South Carolina IDeANetworks of Biomedical Excellence (SC INBRE)program has expanded biomedical research withinthe state. The three comprehensive researchuniversities serve as mentors to seven predominantlyundergraduate institutions, including two HBCUs.The target faculty in the INBRE network receiveresources to support their research activities, ongoingtraining and opportunities for career advancement.Additionally, the SC INBRE program is committed

to ensuring that all students, including those fromunderrepresented and disadvantaged groups, receivehands-on training and research opportunities. Theprogram is rapidly expanding and the faculty aremaking notable contributions to our states biomedicalresearch capacity. In the 2011-2012 academic schoolyear, over 100 students were trained, and the targetfaculty published over 50 articles and presented theirresearch around the world.

Similar to the COBRE and INBRE programs, MUSChouses the South Carolina Clinical and TranslationalResearch Institute (SCTR), which also receives supportfrom the National Institutes of Health. This biomedicalresearch focused center is designed to improve healthoutcomes and the quality of life for South Carolinians

by translating scientiic research into clinical practice.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rankSouth Carolina irst in deaths from cerebrovasculardisease and in the top 20 for age-adjusted death ratesattributable to HIV, Alzheimers disease, cancer, heartdisease, kidney disease, accidents and violent crime.More than 25% of the population of South Carolinais obese or overweight, and more than 22% aresmokers.2 SCTR facilitates cross-disciplinary researchand expertise and resource coordination to solve thestates challenges by bringing together researchers andclinicians with unique and complimentary perspectives

At the University of South Carolina, the Institute forPartnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities hasreceived funding from NIH and other agencies topursue research, education, and state-wide communityengagement to address health disparities. One ofthe major programs includes the statewide ProstateCancer Disparities Center of Economic Excellence

(CoEE). The state ranks third in the number of menwho die from prostate cancer. The CoEE provideseducation, screenings and offers programs on propernutrition. In addition to the CoEE, the Institute has alsoimplemented research studies on cervical cancer andHIV/AIDS.

In 2005 the Innovation Centers Act was passed by theSouth Carolina Legislature. It charged SCRA with theestablishment of Research Innovation Centers locatedthroughout the state and in partnership with eachof South Carolinas three research universities: theSCRA USC Innovation Center in Columbia, the SCRAMUSC Innovation Center in Charleston and the DukeEnergy Innovation Center, a partnership with ClemsonUniversity, in Anderson.


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The SCRA Innovation Centers work in conjunctionwith university-led economic development facilitiesthroughout the state to serve as incubators for smallbusinesses, especially university spin-offs. TheInnovation Centers accelerate business developmentand commercialization of research discoveries. Wet labsand world-class manufacturing facilities are essentialto establishing new knowledge-based companiesand attracting landing parties. Clemson Universityhas established research and economic developmentcampuses to provide a rich environment wherefaculty, staff and graduate students can interact withresearchers from industry. These campuses includethe International Center for Automotive Research(CU-ICAR) in Greenville, the Advanced MaterialsResearch Laboratory in Anderson, the RestorationInstitute in Charleston and the Biomedical Engineering

1Mallon, W., The Beneits and Challenges of Research Centers and Institutes in Academic Medicine: Findings from Six Universities and Their Medical Schools,Academic Medicine. June 2006, 19-29.

2South Carolina Clinical and Translations Research Institute, Retrieved from www.sctr.musc.edu.

Innovation Campus (CUBEInC) in Greenville. Similarly,the University of South Carolina has created Innovistato spur commercialization of university-originatedinnovation by establishing facilities for technology-intensive companies. Innovista is designed to foster anentrepreneurial environment within a vibrant, mixed-use urban neighborhood in Columbia.

The existing SmartState centers, COBREs, SC INBRE,SCTR, and the SCRA Innovation Centers are proving tobe a successful model to spur economic developmentand solving problems unique to South Carolina, butto keep pace, the state must continue to support theformation of research centers. These centers attracttop-level researchers to the state, and serve as hubs forcommunication and innovation.


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The Clemson University

International Center

for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR)represents a template for public/private partnership, directlyfueling a knowledge base critical to the automotive industry.

However, success did not come overnight, nor without challenges

or change from the original vision that Clemson saw for thisCenter. Clemson had originally explored the idea of building awind tunnel for the auto racing industry and approached BMW

to see if they were interested. They were not as they already

had this function in Germany. However, BMW was interested inhelping build a local, knowledge-based workforce that could feed

into its global operations and support the growing automotivecluster in South Carolina. They needed a level of engineering

talent that was not currently being offered by any program in the

U.S., said Bob Geolas, Executive Director of ICAR.

Clemson re-evaluated its priorities, and with the help of a $10million investment from BMW, matched by $10 million in SC

Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) funds, established

its graduate automotive research center. With support fromMichelin and Timken, Clemson subsequently added two

more CU-ICAR CoEE Endowed Chairs. Timken and Michelinalso located additional R&D facilities on the campus. Other

industry partners included American Titanium Works, AT&T,JTEKT Group, Proterra, and SAE. The evolution of the original

plan to what ICAR has become speaks directly to Clemsons

willingness to adapt to meet the needs of industry and economicdevelopment.

The 250-acre CU-ICAR campus is located in Greenville, S.C,

midway between Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA on the

Interstate 85 corridor. As of 2011, CU-ICAR had generatednearly $250 million in investments, with another $500 million

in development. With more than 2,300 new high-wage jobs,CU-ICAR is a model of the collaborative spirit of academia,

government, industry and economic development.

In 2001, the South Carolina State Legislature passed key measures to start the state on a course towardsigniicantly growing the knowledge economy. One signiicant piece of core legislation that was aimed

at building the science and technology enterprise in South Carolina was The South Carolina ResearchCenters of Economic Excellence (CoEE) Act, established in 2002, that authorized the states three publicresearch institutions - Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina and the University ofSouth Carolina to use $200 million appropriated from the South Carolina Education Lottery to advancetargeted research areas.

Expand the SmartState and Endowed Chairs programs to further promote a critical mass

of faculty expertise in key areas of research and innovation.

Recommendation:

The core activity of each CoEE, now known as Smart-State Centers, is the appointment of world-renownedscientists and engineers known as Endowed Chairs,who lead the Centers and are supported by groupsof senior faculty members and research teams thatinclude junior faculty and graduate students. To date,

there have been 49 endowed chairs appointed out of 86across the states three research universities, recruitedfrom many of the nations top institutions such asHarvard and Duke. Each SmartState Center includesone or more endowed chairs, research infrastructure,technical staff, and sustainable funding sources. Centersmust be supported by afiliated graduate programs thatcreate opportunities for students and faculty. SouthCarolinas SmartState Program has been a true cata-lyst for economic development. In its irst ten years, theProgram created nearly 7,000 jobs in South Carolina.

The average salary of those jobs was $63,000morethan twice the 2009 per capita income in the state. TheSmartState Program has attracted more than $1.2 bil-lion in non-state investment and has assembled a cadreof corporate partners, including BMW, Fluor, Michelin,Westinghouse, and SCANA. SmartState EndowedChairs have also secured hundreds of millions of dollarsin federal funding from the National Science Founda-tion, the National Institutes of Health, and the Depart-ment of Defense.

In 2010, a number of new companies announced

relocations to South Carolina, including automotivecompanies Sage and CT&T in the Upstate. Fuel cellcompany Trulite announced plans to relocate to Colum-bia to be near the automotive research of USCs FutureFuels Centers. Electric bus manufacturer Proterra haslocated its corporate headquarters and manufacturingplant near the Clemson University International Centerfor Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in the Upstate. InJune 2011, Proterra had 35 employees; a year later ithad more than 130 employees and the goal of building1,500 green buses a year in South Carolina. Timken


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and BMW have located corporate research and develop-ment ofices on the CU-ICAR campus that have togethercreated 500 high-paying jobs.1

The SmartState Program is building South Carolinascompetitive position in emerging high-growth indus-tries. These sectors include aerospace and aviation,automotive engineering, health sciences, life sciences,nanotechnology, advanced materials, supply chain opti-mization and logistics, fuel cells, and molecular nutri-tion. Ken Reifsnider, an endowed SmartState chairat USC in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and one of the worldsforemost experts on composite materials, is workingto develop a new lightning strike facility for aerospaceapplications in collaboration with Boeing, expected tobe completed later in 2012.

More than half of funds committed to SmartState havebeen in the medical ields, followed by energy (10%),automotive (8%) and materials research (8%).2 Marc

Chimowitz, MBChB, Medical University of South Caro-lina (MUSC) Neurosciences professor and SmartStateendowed chair, led a 50-center nationwide clinicaltrial whose results provided evidence that aggressivemedical therapy is safer and more effective than plac-ing a stent in the brain to prevent a second stroke inhigh-risk patients with a narrowed brain artery. Thesesigniicant results, of particular importance to TheNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

1SmartState, Retrieved from www.smartstatesc.org.2 Clayton, David, The State of the Innovation Economy in SC, April 2012.3Chimowitz, M. et al, N Engl J Med 2011; 365:2140-2141.

(NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)which funded the trial, were published in the NewEngland Journal of Medicine in 2011.3 When the healthsciences component of the program is fully funded andin place, as many as 40 world-class scientists will beworking in South Carolina. The economic impact couldrange from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars innew products and jobs.

While the SmartState program has fostered uniquecollaborations among the states research universi-ties and has allowed South Carolina to compete in thehigh-tech knowledge-based global economy, expan-sion of the program to both maintain and advanceSouth Carolinas position will require several elements.Restoration of state funding, including as much of the$30 million as possible, as originally prescribed, will benecessary. There needs to be a sense of urgency amongthe stakeholders to continue to build upon the statesestablished technology foothold, as well as closer align-

ment of the states research universities with industryand economic development groups, including the SouthCarolina Department of Commerce. The current struc-ture of the SmartState program requires lexibility,including consideration of industry-speciic chairs and/or visiting chairs. Investment in the young talent atthe universities that the endowed chairs attract as wellconnecting to K-12 students to retain them in the statefor higher education and careers is also necessary.


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Research has suggested that there is a link between education and venture creation and entrepreneur-ial performance. In addition, there is a direct correlation between high levels of entrepreneurship withindividuals that have at least some college education.1 As the foundation for the future of innovation inSouth Carolina, K-12 education, the system of predominately undergraduate and technical colleges andthe states three research universities play a vital role in developing the innovators of tomorrow. A skilledworkforce educated in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is criti-cal for building innovative products, services, and irms. Workers currently employed in STEM and relat-ed ields have the greatest propensity for starting entrepreneurial businesses with high growth potential,in ields ranging from information technology and electronics to pharmaceuticals and medical technology.STEM professionals are also the engines of innovation for existing irms where they develop new productsand processes to fuel business growth.

Create a culture-rich environment of innovation and entrepreneurship at academic

institutions at all levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty) as well

as within communities.

Recommendation:

Importance of Cyberinfrastructure

in South Carolina

As societys reliance on information grows, especially in a

knowledge-based economy, it will be necessary to have a com-puting infrastructure that can sustain a large amount of data

being shared quickly across a large geographical area. SouthCarolina has made important advances in the development ofthis cyberinfrastructure by connecting institutions of higher

education and hospital systems, and developing new methodsof communication and research development. Continued effort

must be placed on training the states workforce of today and

tomorrow in the necessary skills that a digital world will require.Students should be introduced to digital technology and the use

of electronic information as early as possible in their educationalcareer to equip them with necessary skills. Because the future

will be so reliant on information technology, it is imperative

that more be done to encourage students to pursue educationand professional development to make them more competitive

within a knowledge-based economy and to provide a necessary

support workforce. To encourage the growth and attraction ofsmall high-tech businesses, faster methods for achieving regula-tory approvals and development of intellectual property will

be required. Science and technology companies also require

enhanced connectivity, both communication- and research-oriented. A robust communications backbone will make South

Carolina more attractive to these companies. Providing openaccess to scientiic and economic development data will encour-

age innovation. As the knowledge base in science and technology

grows, faster delivery of content is imperative. Digital contentalso provides new insights and encourages creative forms of

education that connect with digital natives that will make uptomorrows STEM workforce.

According to the Higher Education Study Commit-tee, Essential to South Carolinas future prosperity isdeveloping a culture of creativity that attracts, devel-ops, and retains the most talented people in the worldwho not only adapt to change, but lead it.2 There areprograms and organizations that exist in South Carolinathat foster an innovative environment within all edu-cational levels as well as within the greater communi-ties. Continued emphasis on these programs as well asinitiatives that promote collaboration and partnershipsbetween public and independent institutions of highereducation, the K-12 community, the business commu-

nity, and state government leadership is required toadvance South Carolinas knowledge economy.

Innovation drives todays economy and a signiicantamount of innovation in this state stems from knowl-edge creation at South Carolinas research universities.It has been recognized for decades that technologytransfer, deined as the transfer of research resultsfrom universities to the commercial marketplace forthe public beneit, is closely linked to fundamentalresearch activities in universities.3 Investments in theSmartState program, establishment of SCLaunch andthe SCRA Innovation Centers, and other efforts directedat promoting research, innovation, collaboration, andentrepreneurship have allowed South Carolina to notonly strengthen its existing base of activity but also hasresulted in job creation and workforce development.Both Clemson Universitys International Center forAutomotive Research (CU-ICAR) and the University ofSouth Carolinas NanoCenter represent model examplesof partnerships linking both public and private enti-ties that have the common mission to advance innova-tions. The USC NanoCenter represents the cooperation

between university faculty with their multidisciplinaryresearch strengths in nanotechnology, industrial part-ners such as Mitsubishi, Milliken, Michelin, Honeywell,Invista (formerly of DuPont), Wellman, Nan Ya Plastics,MeadWestvaco, and LAB21, Inc., and collaborative


14/3813

organizations, SCLaunch and Swampfox, has helpedstimulate cutting-edge research to beneit both thepublic good and stakeholders.

To encourage entrepreneurship at the university level,

Clemsons Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial

Leadership supports educational, research and outreach

programs that promote entrepreneurial activity and

economic development of the region, state, and nation.

Here inventors and entrepreneurs can ind assistance

with market analyses and business planning. Also, the

Institute conducts a mentoring program to link entre-

preneurs with experienced business executives.

Innovista at the University of South Carolina conducteda SWOT analysis and identiied that the universityneeds a better-connected entrepreneurial support sys-tem where assets, information, resources and organiza-tions are aligned to connect and maximize support forstartups, entrepreneurs and technology commercializa-

tion. The overarching goal is to create an entrepreneur-ial culture both within the university and outside in thecommunity. Innovista has established the Center forEntrepreneurial and Technological Innovation (CETi),a virtual and physical one-stop shop for entrepreneurshoused within USCs Innovista Research Campus. CETiis working with the Moore School of Business at USCto support the SC Entrepreneurial Fellows Program.The program identiies young entrepreneurs across theuniversity who are seeking to start a business. The stu-dents or recent graduates will participate in a full-timeinternship program with a university researcher underthe guidance of experienced entrepreneurs. The Medi-cal University of South Carolina (MUSC) has establisheda Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)that:

Supports University-wide innovation and com-mercialization,

Educates faculty, staff and students in technol-ogy commercialization.

Mentors prospective and early entrepreneurs, Develops collaborative relationships for promot-

ing technology commercialization state-wide,

and Identiies and facilitates access to new sources

of funding for the CIE and spin-out companies.

In addition to South Carolinas research universities,the South Carolina Technical College System plays acritical role in advancing innovation in the state. Anew training program created through a consortiumof three South Carolina technical colleges (GreenvilleTechnical College, Horry-Georgetown TechnicalCollege, and Trident Technical College) and the South

Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Collaboration

Across South Carolina Success Stories

Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC), one of the most

unique research collaboratives in the nation comprised of thethree research intensive universities and seven of the largest

teaching hospitals in the state, is inalizing an innovative realtime clinical and research data warehouse and tools for data

analytics. One of their current projects involves managingclinical research permissions electronically. One mechanism toincrease participation in research is to better inform partici-

pants, increasing their interest in clinical trials participationand to retain participants preferences in a form that is readily

accessible. Such research permissions and informed consents

are typically collected on paper upon patient registration. Acollaborative team of researchers from across the state were

brought together through HSSC and developed a novel methodof presenting information and capturing the participants

preferences electronically. The project involved substantial

analysis focused on key areas including: review of businesspractices, registration processes, and permission collection

worklows. The team also worked with participants to develop

best practices for presenting consent information to users viatablet technology and capturing permissions data. The result ofthis research, funded through the National Library of Medicine,

is an open source software product which can be adopted for

use by institutions across the nation. An initial version of thesoftware has been piloted at one institution in South Carolina

and was well received by staff and patients. It has also recentlybeen adopted by an out-of-state university for use in their clini-

cal research program.

New Carolina, a non-proit organization working to increase

South Carolinas economic competitiveness through a clusterdevelopment strategy, aims to integrate education, innovation

and entrepreneurship into strategies of the core industries

in South Carolina. One such cluster, the Columbia InsuranceTechnology Services Cluster (ITS|SC), is comprised of over 40

companies in the insurance, technology, and services industriesthat range from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. With

6000+ insurance-related jobs in the region with an average sal-ary at $62,000, the industry has had an economic impact of over

$1 billion. The unique collaboration among ITS|SC, USC and

other partners have created innovations in the way insurance ispracticed by providing a portal to all online resources helpful to

insurance technology, services, and outsourcing.

EngenuitySC, a public/private partnership formed to develop

and grow the South Carolina Midlands knowledge-basedeconomy by fostering an environment where entrepreneurship,

innovation, and the creation of knowledge are fundamental ele-ments of the regions culture, identity, and economic develop-

ment strategy, leads initiatives that support research develop-

ment, promote commercialization, and leverage the regionsassets. EngenuitySC facilitates a community-wide collaborative

focused on developing and implementing strategies to increaseK-12 entrepreneurship education throughout Columbia and the

Midlands. As a champion for growing Columbia's knowledgeeconomy, EngenuitySC brings together K-12 entrepreneurship

organizations and providers to build a rich network and solid

platform for collaboration that will prepare today's students forsuccess and eventual leadership in the new global marketplace.


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Carolina Technical College System has received the2012 Innovation of the Year Award from the League ofInnovation in the Community College, an internationalorganization committed to improving communitycolleges through innovation, experimentation andinstitutional transformation. Located on a 146-acre segment of the Florence-Darlington TechnicalCollege, the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing &Technology (SiMT) is a technical service provider thatoffers cutting-edge technology to help manufacturerswith improved production as well as employeetraining. SiMT provides engineering, CAD and CAM,rapid prototyping, and 3D and virtual reality services,as well as manufacturing workforce and processtraining. Through the SiMTs Manufacturing IncubatorCenter (MIC), qualiied startup manufacturers receiveassistance in commercializing their ideas. The MICoffers space, infrastructure, and intellectual property tostartup companies. In partnership with SiMT and otherprograms and facilities across South Carolina, USC

launched the Innovista Center for Product Realization(ICPR) in July 2012 to help startups with new productdevelopment and other resources necessary totransition their ideas into the marketplace.

The community is an integral component of a culturethat can enhance innovation and creativity. Accordingto Dr. Rich Harrill, Director of USCs International Tour-ism Research Institute and Alfred P. Sloan FoundationTravel & Tourism Industry Center, innovation, tourism,and creativity are essential elements to spur economicdevelopment. Having a locale that features music, arts,food, architecture and entertainment alongside innova-tors and businesses creates an attractive environmentfor tourists and locals that is rich in creativity and ripefor dialogue, discovery, and innovation.4 Innovista rep-resents the physical manifestation of the University ofSouth Carolinas longtime research philosophy of nur-turing innovation, creativity, discovery, and opportuni-ty. By connecting USC and university-spawned innova-tions with entrepreneurs, businesses and stakeholders,technology-intensive, knowledge-based companies willbe attracted to the area, resulting in higher-paying jobs

and an improved standard of living in South Caro-lina. NEXT is an initiative to build an entrepreneurialecosystem in Upstate (Greenville) South Carolina thatnurtures the start-up and growth of globally-impactful,knowledge-based companies through: Attraction &Retention, Infrastructure Development, Advocacy, and

1Entrepreneurship and Education: What is Known and Not Known about the Links Between Education and Entrepreneurial Activity, SBA: Ofice of Advocacy.2Leveraging Higher Education for a Stronger South Carolina, March 2009, Retrieved from http://www.che.sc.gov/InfoCntr/HESC_Files/che_2169_Leverage_

Report_web.pdf.3Bush, Vannevar, Science The Endless Frontier, July 1945.4Harrill, Rich, Tourism, Innovation, Creativity, and Growth: Advancing South Carolinas New Economic Development, MidlandsBiz, April 20, 2010, Retrievedfrom http://www.midlandsbiz.com/news/markettrends/757/.

Concierge Service. NEXT clients are fast-growth tech-nology companies that own their intellectual propertyand have high potential for national and internationalgrowth. Sectors currently served include Internettechnology, electronic device, biomedical, software,nanotechnology, and pharmaceutical. NEXT offersentrepreneurs access to an entrepreneurial commu-nity; SBIR/STTR consultation; ofice space; and a portalto government, infrastructure, real estate, education,angel and venture capital, professional resources anda trained workforce. Since its inception in 2006, NEXThas served 79 companies, with a 2011 economic impactof over 670 jobs and $42 million in wages.

Dr. Harrill also goes on to say that [w]ith appropriateinvestments in infrastructure, technology, and educa-tion, our states rural areas can become new centersof growth augmenting urban economic development.Tourism can help transform empty storefronts intoshowcases for the arts, culture, and perhaps even busi-

ness incubation. In addition, these areas must alsohave recreational amenities to offer new residents,such as parks, trails, and greenways. Organizations withexperience and expertise in rural tourism marketingand development such as the South Carolina NationalHeritage Corridor can play a key role in advancing theNew Economic Development.4

South Carolina needs to continue to foster a culturethat enables, encourages, and rewards research and in-novation. To remain competitive in both the domesticand the global market, the approaches require constantevaluation as well as signiicant investments in human,inancial, and physical resources.


16/3815

Health, Science and Technology Workforce

Goal:

South Carolina has an educated and engaged public that understands andparticipates in the states health, science and technology research enterprise.


17/3816

Innovation plays a vital role in the development of South Carolinas economy, and South Carolinas systemof comprehensive and technical colleges, and the states three research universities (the University ofSouth Carolina, Clemson University, and the Medical University of South Carolina) are integral in develop-ing the innovators of tomorrow. A highly skilled workforce is key to economic prosperity in South Caro-lina. Maximizing the educational potential of South Carolinians through higher education and/or trainingin the industries expected to grow over the next decade will prepare a workforce that is able to effectivelycompete in the global economy. Academic and industry leaders have identiied both South Carolinas corecompetencies as well as industry focus areas slated for growth, both born out of new and existing busi-nesses in the state. An intimate understanding of how these competencies and industry focus areas inter-sect will drive the development of a competitive workforce for the knowledge economy. By enhancing its

four core competencies Advanced Manufacturing; Advanced Materials; Digital Technologies; and Trans-portation, Distribution, and Logistics - South Carolina can foster the growth of four vertical industries- Transportation; Energy; Life Sciences and Agriculture; and Environment and Sustainability - identiiedas strategic areas where South Carolina can be a domestic and global leader. Increased support for align-ment between college and university educational programs and technical colleges with the needs of thesevertical technology-intensive industries, as well as direct linkages between South Carolinas world-classuniversity research programs and industry are critical to capitalize and grow the industry focus areas.

Capitalize and grow existing strengths in industry focus areas by 10% (transportation,

energy, life sciences and agriculture, and environment and sustainability) by promoting

research through collaborations between South Carolinas comprehensive universities and

colleges, technical colleges, and industry partners.

Recommendation:

Vertical Industries

TransportationEnergy

Environmentand

Sustainability

Life Sciences and AgricultureInsurance

Automotive Aerospace Biomedical Pharma Biotech

CoreCompetencies Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced Materials(Composites, Textiles, etc)

Digital Technologies (IT,Media)

Transportation,Distribution, Logistics

Less Intense More Intense

Degree of Focus

Manufacturing is the main driver for innovation inSouth Carolina. Most of the states largest manufac-turing employers, including Michelin, GE, BMW, Mil-liken, and Sonoco, have made substantial investmentsin research and development centers or universitypartnerships to develop their products in South Caro-lina or improve their manufacturing processes. Whilethese businesses develop intellectual property them-selves, with advanced products and processes, they

also beneit the ecosystem of entrepreneurship byproviding opportunities for technical collaboration orparticipation within their supply chains. These largeindustry anchors interact with the states colleges anduniversities to help drive fundamental research effortsand coordinate on training and education to preparethe innovative workforce they need. The automotivesector continues to be the dominant sector in economicdevelopment recruitment activities since ground was


18/3817

broken at the BMW plant in Spartanburg County in1992. Most of the capital investment and job recruit-ment in that sector has been tied either to BMW itself,BMW suppliers or several large investments by tiremanufacturers Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental.The Port of Charleston and South Carolinas rail androad infrastructure draw a large number of ware-housing and distribution projects each year, includingAmazon.com among many others. Information Servicesincludes a plethora of mostly smaller irms conductinga range of activities from the information technologyfrom BeneitFocus in the human resources manage-ment industry to the internet based marketing irm RedVentures. There are several manufacturing subsectorsthat are both high wage and have experienced employ-ment growth over the past decade. Aerospace productsand parts, in particular, stands out in terms of overallgrowth rate in the past 10 years as well as weekly wag-es that signiicantly outpace the state average weeklywage. The announcement of the Boeing Company to

locate its 787 Dreamliner factory in Charleston willcontinue to spur growth in this valuable subsector.

Other manufacturing areas of strength in South Caro-lina include motor vehicle body, engine turbine, andpower equipment, pharmaceutical and medicine,medical equipment, and agriculture, construction, andmining machine manufacturing. Aside from advancedmanufacturing growth, another bright spot in SouthCarolinas employment mix is the growing ields ofcomputer systems, software, telecommunications, sci-entiic research and technical consulting.

Economic growth is driven by the creation of new tech-nologies, new company formation, the expansion of ex-isting businesses, and job creation. A skilled workforceeducated in the sciences, technology, engineering andmathematics disciplines is critical for building innova-tive products, services, and irms, which in turn driveseconomic growth. South Carolinas level of employmentin high-technology sectors is an indicator of innovation.According to the Milken Institute, South Carolina wasranked 35th nationally in 2010 in the make-up of itstechnology and science workforce, up from a ranking of

38th in 2008.1 However, a closer look at South Caro-linas workforce broken down by more speciic occupa-tions reveals that South Carolina has a signiicantly highconcentration of workers in engineering disciplines, yetranks poorly in its workforce employed in the sciences(physics, chemistry, microbiology, and environmentscience). According to the South Carolina Departmentof Commerce, South Carolina ranked 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and5th nationally for the number of industrial engineers,

1Milken Institute, State Technology and Science Index, 2011.2 Clayton, David , The State of the Innovation Economy in SC, April 2012.

South Carolina Collaborations

SmartState, with heavy investment from corporate partners,

has created 50 research centers of excellence at the states three

research universities to advance research and boost the states

economy.University of South Carolina NanoCenter (USC) fosters na-

noscale science and research, commercialization, education, andtechnical outreach.

South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute

(SCTR) at MUSC facilitates the sharing of resources and exper-

tise in biomedical research.

Health Sciences South Carolina, the nations irst statewidebiomedical research collaborative, was formed with the vision of

transforming the states public health and economic well-beingthrough research, and educating and training the health care

workforce. Its members include six of the states largest health

systems and the states three research universities.

Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SiMT)provides premier technical service and training facility for indus-try in the southeastern U.S.

New Carolina is a non-proit organization working to increase

South Carolinas economic competitiveness through a clusterdevelopment strategy.

SCRA Innovation Centers in partnership with each of South

Carolinas three universities serve as incubators for small busi-nesses, especially university spin-offs.

Midlands Technical College Enterprise Campus and Inno-

vista have collaborated to offer an environment where businessand education are co-located.

chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, and nuclearengineers, respectively, in 2010.South Carolina ranked43rd and 41st in 2010 for the concentration of em-ployees in the sciences disciplines and computer andmathematics disciplines, respectively.2 Job creation willcontinue only if a suitable workforce is available, andall sectors of higher education play distinct, yet comple-mentary roles in workforce development. Continuedcollaboration, communication and alignment betweenacademia and industry is essential if South Carolinawants to capitalize and grow its industry focus areas,including its human workforce capital in industry focusareas, by 10%.

To meet the needs of innovative businesses in the state,South Carolinas educational system, including its threeworld-class comprehensive, research universities andits public, private, and technical colleges, must continuetheir strong emphasis on science and engineering disci-plines. South Carolina needs to continue to foster an in-

tegrated approach to research, education, and businessto develop new products and processes that maintainand advance the states global competitiveness. A keycomponent to position South Carolina as a global leaderin its strategic industry focus areas is a workforce pre-pared to participate in, enhance and advance the corecompetencies that will drive further innovation.


19/3818

It is evident that obtaining a higher level of education results in greater prosperity and competitiveness

in a knowledge-based economy. As the state progresses in attracting and creating more high tech indus-tries, the needs for an educated STEM workforce will signiicantly grow. In order to meet these needs,the states universities must increase the number of students receiving STEM degrees. It is also criticalthat the state train graduate students in these areas so that such students stay on in the state and con-tinue to innovate and pursue research with direct impact on high tech industries of the state. To this end,an increase in the number of STEM graduates and graduate students will require additional support inthe form of state funding to South Carolinas universities and colleges. State funding has dropped mostdramatically since 2007.1 An annual study of state spending on higher education found that state ap-propriations for South Carolina colleges and students declined by 7.5% from 2010-2011 to 2011-2012(nationwide, an average drop of 7.6% over the same time period occurred, which was the largest suchdecline in at least a half century).2 While this situation is not unique to South Carolina as other states are

experiencing similar declines, to train the students in STEM areas with immediate impact on our localhigh tech industry would necessitate investments in speciic areas with potential impact on STEM educa-tion, research training, and ultimately workforce development.3

Expand the human resource infrastructure (e.g. students with PhD, MS and BA/BS degrees)

in STEM by 25% at South Carolina universities and other educational units. The South

Carolina STEM workforce will be representative of the states population demographic.

Recommendation:

Despite low levels of college attainment for the work-ing-age population of South Carolina relative to otherstates, South Carolina is making strides to increase thenumbers of college educated citizens. Home to threeresearch universities, Clemson University, the Univer-sity of South Carolina (USC) and the Medical Universityof South Carolina (MUSC), South Carolina matriculatestens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate stu-dents each year. With four schools of medicine, numer-ous graduate programs, 12 public four-year collegesand universities, 22 private colleges, and 16 technicalcolleges, South Carolinas has opportunities for itsresidents for higher education and specialized technicaltraining.

Since 2006, South Carolinas institutions of highereducation have awarded over 21,000 STEM bachelorsdegrees with an overall increase of 13% in STEM de-grees awarded between 2006 and 2011.4 As outlined in

the 2009 South Carolina Higher Education Study Com-mittee Action Plan Leveraging Higher Education for aStronger South Carolina, to achieve the goals to increasedegrees awarded, the states colleges and universi-ties should focus their efforts on retention programs,especially orientation, advisement and tutoring; tran-sition programs for high school and technical collegestudents; increasing opportunities for receiving inan-cial aid; accelerated learning programs, such as dualenrollment or Project Lead the Way; college readinessprograms including developmental studies/remedial

courses; and, bridge programs that offer a seamlesspathway for transfer students.

While the state still ranks somewhat average in thepercentage of bachelors degrees granted in science andengineering (30), the state is much lower ranked in thepercentage of graduate students in STEM (49) and thenumber of masters degrees awarded (46).5 To meetthe needs of the STEM workforce, emphasis should beplaced on awarding more postsecondary degrees withinthe state. Since 2006, the number of masters degreesawarded in STEM ields in South Carolina has declinedby 16%, while the number of STEM doctoral degreesawarded since 2006 has remained stagnant.4

In Diversifying the Faculty: A Guidebook for Search Com-mittees (2002) faculty diversiication is cited as a directcontributor to educational quality. A more diverse fac-ulty will also result in greater inclusion and retention

among the student population, thus enabling the statesinstitutions to award a greater number of degrees. In2011, the states public institutions of higher educationonly employed 17% minority faculty teaching creditcourses across all ields.6 Minority representation inthe STEM ields is considerably smaller. In an effort toimprove the minority representation in the professori-ate, the universities have developed programs such asCall Me Doctor at Clemson University and the AfricanAmerican Professors Program at the University of SouthCarolina. Also, USC has hosted Presidents Brunch pro-


20/3819

gram in which world renowned URM administratorsincluding Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of UMBCwere invited to discuss recruitment of URM faculty.This function was also attended by all Presidents andChancellors of institutions participating in the SouthCarolina NSF Research Infrastructure ImprovementAward. USC has also organized a Diversity Summit fo-cused on prospecting, recruiting and retaining diversefaculty in STEM areas, which was attended by Deansand Chairs from 10 South Carolina colleges and univer-sities. The universities should increase the support forprograms like these to facilitate growing our own andinvestigate new methods for the recruitment of minori-ties into STEM faculty positions from outside the state.

1CHE Staff Response to Prepared in Mind and Resources A Report on Public Higher Education in South Carolina, November 30, 2011.2Lederman, Doug, State Support Slumps Again Inside Higher Ed, January 23, 2012.3National Science Board, Second Companion National Release, September 25, 2012.4South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 2011, Retrieved from http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/Rep&Pubs/Completions.htm.5Milken Institute, State Technology and Science Index, 2011.6South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 2011, Retrieved from http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/Rep&Pubs/Faculty/2011.htm.

Having a diverse STEM workforce both in academia andindustry will result in more perspectives and greaterinnovation through the exchange of ideas and pointsof view. Since 2006, the state has awarded 27% ofthe STEM bachelors degrees awarded to minoritiesand 46% to women. The attrition rate for minoritiesincreases for the masters and doctoral level of STEMdegrees awarded. Since 2006, the average percent-age of STEM degrees awarded to minorities was 10%and the average awarded to women was 43%. Evenfewer doctoral degrees went to minorities (averageof 9% since 2006) and women (average of 37% since2006).4 Increasing the number of degrees awarded tominorities and women will result in a more diverse andinclusive STEM workforce.


21/3820

the South Carolina Technical College system needs

to remain lexible, agile, and with access to suficientresources to respond to the evolving needs of speciicbusinesses and industries, while also building and ex-panding general skills that enhance overall workforcereadiness. The South Carolina Technical College Sys-tem needs partners who are willing to invest in provid-ing opportunities and enhancements that will help theSystem and the Technical Colleges be truly exceptional.Traditional sources of funding cannot keep pace withthe rising costs in higher education, nor provide fundsneeded to complement targeted economic initiativesin the state with development of new and innovativeprograms. Private sector funds can provide the marginof excellence in achieving their vision to be the premierprovider of educational opportunity and a leading forcefor the social and economic vitality of the region.

The University of South Carolina (USC) partners withthe SCTCS to offer students opportunities to pursueundergraduate degrees through the Bridge Programand Gamecock Gateway, which allow irst time collegeattendees to transition into a degree program at USC.Programs such as these enable bright students to taketheir education further, preparing them for high-levelpositions in STEM ields and beyond, and encouraging aculture of innovation in the region.

Technology-based jobs require skilled workers, and though excellent job opportunities abound in SouthCarolina, particularly with large companies like BMW, Timken, Duke Energy and others, employers often

are forced to hire out-of-state employees due to the lack of local skilled workers. South Carolina has aconsiderable number of adults who are unemployed or underemployed because they lack the founda-tion and technical skills to perform in the industry areas identiied as signiicant to the future of thestate. Training programs to prepare students and train unskilled or unemployed workers for a career in atechnology or manufacturing-based jobs are essential, and South Carolina has responded with its commitment to innovative education and training through its South Carolina Technical College system (SCTCS).The System is comprised of 16 technical colleges located strategically across the state and its statewideafiliate programs: the Center for Accelerated Technology Trainings readySC program and Apprentice-ship Carolina.

Expand cooperative training programs through the South Carolina Technical College System

to prepare the workforce needed by STEM-based industries.

Recommendation:

"I've had experience with training across many

of our facilities and what we have here in South

Carolina is by far the best I've seen."

Tim Coyle, Vice President of the Boeing North Charleston facility

in regards to readySC

SCTCS pioneered readySC, one of the oldest and most

developed workforce training programs in the UnitedStates, which helps prepare employees to work atselect qualifying companies that invested in the state.readySC includes recruitment, screening and training,and creation of new guidelines and curriculum to it acompanys needs. In FY10-11, over 5,900 employeeswere trained, serving 76 companies including BMW, Mi-chelin, Firestone and Boeing. In April 2011, readySC,Boeing and Trident Technical College partnered to openthe Boeing North Charleston Training Center, whichtrains as many as 120 employees daily. In addition andin response to the growth in the aerospace industry inthe state, Trident Technical College has begun to offeran associate degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technol-ogy.

Apprenticeship Carolina is an employer-sponsoredlexible training program that cultivates highly skilledworkers who meet the workforce demands of a com-petitive global economy by offering both on-the-jobtraining and related technical instruction. In March2011, Biowatch Medical Inc. registered the statesirst federally-recognized apprenticeship program for

Cardiac Care Technicians. Working closely with Mid-lands Technical College, Biowatch Medicals apprenticeprogram provides in-depth education and training oncardiac care, medical terminology, CPR and computerskills, as well as prepares apprentices for industrycertiication from Cardiovascular Credentialing Inter-national.

Despite the fact that South Carolina was recentlyranked 5th nationally for workforce development pro-grams by bothArea Developmentmagazine and CNBC,


22/3821

Education and Outreach

Goal:

Individuals having a STEM education from South Carolina are nationallyand globally competitive in the health, science, and technology workforce.


23/3822

While South Carolinas K-12 education system perennially ranks poorly compared to other states, testscores and educational attainment have made drastic improvements over the last decade. Many studieshave compared and ranked the U.S. states on various aspects of education and several are applicable toscience, engineering and entrepreneurship. A studied titled SERI, for Science and Engineering ReadinessIndex, compared the 50 states according to their success in preparing K-12 students in careers in scienceand engineering. The composite score used for the state rankings relects each states performance in theNAEP, or National Assessment of Educational Progress, tests (8th grade math and science), the number ofstudents passing Advanced Placement (AP) tests in calculus and physics and a teacher qualiication scorebased on whether a state has discipline-speciic certiications for each science subject. By this compositeranking, South Carolina placed in the Below Average category along with eleven other states and tenstates rated Far Below Average. South Carolinas ranking on NAEP tests pulls the composite score belowaverage; the states AP test performance is closer to the national median.1

Promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and literacy in K-12

education via public and private sector programs.

Recommendation:

Disparity in educational attainment is widespreadacross the state. The metro areas of Greenville, Charles-ton, Columbia, Myrtle Beach and around Charlottehave high school educational attainment levels abovethe state and national averages, whereas in many ruralcounties, more than a quarter of the population over25 years old lacks a high school diploma or equivalent.Overall, US News and World Reportranked South Caro-linas high schools 33rd in 2011.

The Governors School for Science and Mathematics(GSSM) is the only high school in South Carolina that

offers a residential experience focused on science, tech-nology, engineering and math education, with addition-al emphasis on economics and entrepreneurship. Thistwo-year program is recognized as one the nations top24 public elite high schools. The school offers a college-level curriculum, platform for research opportunitiesand exposure to business leaders. The school enrolls128 students annually with future plans to grow to 300.Their students rank among the top in the state amongSAT scores and 100% of their graduates attend collegeand 80% pursue advanced degrees. The school is alsorecognized for their award winning faculty. All teachershold masters degrees and 80% have earned PhDs.

South Carolina Governors School for the Arts andHumanities (SCGSAH) is the only fully accredited publicarts high school in the country, having achieved nation-al accreditation by both ACCPAS and SACS. The SCG-SAH received the states Palmetto Gold award for the10th consecutive year and ranked third among SouthCarolinas public schools for achievement on the SATand ACT. The students receive an intense and innova-tive education that fosters connections to the arts while

meeting all the requirements necessary for a SouthCarolina high school diploma. Among the 2011 graduating class, every student received some level of inancialassistance to continue their education which totaled$18.3 million.

In April 2009, the statewide Committee to IncreaseSouth Carolinas Math and Science Teaching Force wasestablished to increase the pipeline of math and scienceteachers within the state. As a result of the initiative,Clemson University and the University of South Caro-lina have joined the Science and Mathematics Teacher

Imperative in a national effort to identify and addresskey constraints which impede the formation of effec-tive STEM teacher preparation programs. In addition,Newberry College was awarded a NOYCE Grant to assistwith their Recruit and Engage Math and Science Teach-ers (RE-MAST) project. The ive-year, $900,000 grantfrom the National Science Foundations Robert NoyceTeacher Scholarship Program is designed to encourageSTEM majors and professionals to become middle andhigh school mathematics and science teachers.

South Carolinas comprehensive research universi-ties have developed partnerships with industries andlocal schools to improve the quality of the states K-12education system. In 2002, the University of SouthCarolina became a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) af-iliate to prepare K-12 students to enter STEM ields.PLTW is the leading provider of rigorous and innovativeSTEM education curriculum programs used in middleand high school across the country. As of 2012, thereare 76 middle and 100 high school PLTW engineer-ing programs and 18 Biomedical Sciences high schoolprograms across the state. Approximately 400 teach-


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ers have been trained to teach PLTW courses and 58of the 80 school districts in South Carolina have PLTWschools. Since its inception, the program has been suc-cessful in training students in pre-engineering coursesat high schools and ive technical colleges. In 2011, 473students completed PLTW courses and 46 studentsreceived transcripted college credit from the College ofEngineering and Computing (COEC) at USC Columbia.A survey of incoming freshmen (2010) at the COECindicated that approximately 1/3 (128/395) of thestudents had taken PLTW courses while in high school.2A USC Columbia report indicated that of the freshmenwho majored in engineering in 2009, approximately70% returned to the COEC as sophomores in 2010.2Currently the College of Education and the College ofScience Academy are exploring ways to collaborate toenhance underrepresented groups in the Columbiaarea.

Clemson University created Math Out of the Box

when they recognized that South Carolinas matheducation was insuficient at meeting the nations

1White, Susan and Cottle, Paul, A State-by-State Science and Engineering Readiness Index (SERI): Grading States on Their K-12 Preparation of Future Scientistand Engineers, Retrieved from http://www.aps.org/units/fed/newsletters/summer2011/white-cottle.cfm.2Project Lead the Way, University of South Carolina, 2012.

ability to compete economically in a high-tech world.The standards-based K-5 curriculum allows studentsto work with hands-on materials and engage infun, yet challenging learning. According to CarolinaCurriculum, students in Title I schools using Math Outof the Box performed better on the South CarolinaPalmetto Achievement Test (PACT) than studentswho had not received the curriculum. Additionally,Clemson hosts Driving Science, an annual programthat introduces over 1,500 students to STEM andmotorsports. The university also sponsors a host ofcustomized math, science and literacy workshopsthat help K-12 instructors with pedagogical contentknowledge required to successfully teach the CommonCore State Standards.

In order to advance the states K-12 education system,the research universities must continue to invest theirtime, resources and expertise. Programs such as PLTWmust be expanded to be included in all South Carolina

schools.


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Research, innovation, and a strong, talented workforce well-schooled in the STEM disciplines are criti-cal to achieve global economic leadership. However, US dominance in science and technology has weak-

ened compared to the rest of the world, where investments in local research and education have beenstressed. A real key to ensure economic dominance is to expand the STEM talent pool, which in turn cre-ates the challenge of increasing participation in these ields by underrepresented minority groups. Un-derrepresented minority groups made up almost 29% of the national population in 2006, but only 9% ofcollege-educated Americans in STEM ields. There is a progressive loss of representation as one moves upthe academic ladder. In 2007, underrepresented minorities comprised 39% of K-12 public enrollment.Of the 33% of the college-age population, 26% were enrolled in an undergraduate program with only18% earning a STEM bachelors degree. With 18% overall enrollment in graduate school, 14% earnedSTEM masters degrees and 5% earned STEM doctorate degrees.1

Increase access to higher education and training opportunities in science and technology

for all South Carolina citizens regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

Recommendation:

In 2011, the National Academy of Sciences, the NationalAcademy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medi-cine Committee on Underrepresented Groups and theExpansion of the Science and Engineering WorkforcePipeline published a series of recommendations to de-velop a strong and diverse workforce. The report sug-gests that to increase minority access to and demandfor post-secondary STEM education and technical train-ing, the federal government, industry, and post-second-ary institutions must work collaboratively with K-12schools and school systems. Speciic recommendationsfocused on higher quality K-12 preparation, identiiedas critical for later success; greater access and motiva-

tion; affordability; and academic and social support.1

On a state level, the SC education system has a strongemphasis on science and engineering disciplines tomeet the needs of innovative businesses in the state.The number of STEM Associate, Baccalaureate, andDoctoral degrees awarded in South Carolina has in-creased dramatically over the last decade. In 2000, thestates colleges and universities graduated 4,116 in theSTEM ields. That igure grew 25 percent over the next10 years to 4,905 in 2010.2 Most of the increase wasdue to more bachelors degrees awarded in engineering

and biological sciences ields.

South Carolina is working diligently to ensure thatthe STEM workforce is representative of the statespopulation demographics. Although the numbers haveincreased, African Americans, Hispanics and NativeAmericans remain underrepresented in the STEMields. In 2008-2009, 1/3 of all bachelors degreesawarded to African American students in South Caro-l

vision 2025: advancing south carolina's capacity and expertise in science and technology

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