The S.C. Commission on Higher Education’s annual Centers of Excellence Symposium merged with a broader event at Clemson University to address educator workforce needs.
Based on a release from S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
CLEMSON, S.C. — The S.C. Commission on Higher Education’s annual Centers of Excellence Symposium took on a new format this year, becoming part of the 2026 Teaching, Leading, and Learning Exchange, according to the Commission on Higher Education.
The Exchange, hosted on Clemson University’s campus June 11-12, brought together approximately 120 participants in person and virtually for a two-day professional learning event focused on improving teaching, leading and learning across South Carolina, according to the commission.
The Exchange featured three connected events: experiential learning sessions hosted by the School District of Pickens County, the CHE Centers of Excellence Symposium themed “Fostering Excellence in Teaching, Leading, and Learning,” and the Educational Leadership Summer Summit hosted by Clemson University’s Center of Excellence for LEADERS, according to the commission.
CHE President and Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Perez recognized the impact of the Centers’ work in addressing educator preparation needs across different regions of the state during his session-opening remarks, according to the commission.
Dr. Kristin Gehsmann, dean of Clemson University’s College of Education, highlighted the importance of bringing together PK-12 and higher education communities to support educators and student success, according to the commission.
Dr. Paula Alexander, executive director of elementary education for the School District of Pickens County, shared the district’s work on embedding experiential learning into instructional practices, according to the commission.
During the symposium, center directors shared evidence-based practices in educator preparation, teacher recruitment and retention, leadership development, and school partnerships designed to address the state’s educator workforce needs, according to the commission.
Dr. Angela Peters, director of academic affairs and licensing at CHE, led a discussion on expanding the centers’ impact across institutions, according to the commission. Dr. Lishu Yin, senior manager of educator quality, retention and recruitment at CHE, shared lessons learned through the centers’ implementation, including that strong partnerships make a difference and that data helps identify what works, according to the commission.
Dr. Hans Klar, director of Clemson University’s Center of Excellence for LEADERS, emphasized the role of partnerships and collaboration in creating sustainable impact, according to the commission.
Source: S.C. Commission on Higher Education original release.
