Furman University President Rod Smolla believes liberal arts institutions remain a crucial educational link, even as South Carolina leaders focus on growing the state’s large manufacturing base. Smolla, who announced this month he will leave Furman this summer, also lobbies for stronger science and math curricula in middle and high schools to engage young people in the fields in which the region’s skills gap is most critical. Also in this discussion, the potential impact on financial aid following the pending Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action, sustainability as a college degree and the state of local newspapers. Mark Farris of the York Economic Development Board and Steve Parrott of the Wake Education Partnership join the conversation.
Tags: College Degrees, Furman University, Mark Farris, Media, Newspapers, Rod Smolla, Skills Gap, STEM Education, Steve Parrott, Sustainability, Wake Education Partnership, York County Economic Development
