Chancellor Sandra Jordan announces retirement, reflects on experience
Dr. Sandra Jordan, USC Aiken chancellor, informed students of her retirement after nine years in her position.
The message was sent via email to students Oct. 30 to inform them of her decision to step down from her on June 30, 2020. Two major factors played into Jordan’s decision: her personal life and the university’s strength.
Jordan says she both reflects and looks forward, stating, “We all are engaged in thinking about how we compose the richest life we can. … What’s the next thing? Is it moving to our mountain home and spending more time with family, … volunteering more, … [or] having the freedom to drive out to New Mexico [to] spend more time with my son? It just feels like the right moment in time.”
She emphasized the importance of considering the institution’s stability before leaving. “I don’t think I would be the kind of leader I hope I am and want to be if I didn’t consider the university as well.”
Jordan asserted that the university has been compliant with the guidelines that have prevented an outbreak of COVID. She acknowledges the tough financial year but understands the additional costs of mitigating the risk of the coronavirus, and that the university is otherwise solid financially. The strategic plans will be complete at the end of the next semester.
The chancellor feels great contentment and pride in her work over the past few years. She said, “I think I can truly say a week hasn’t gone by in the last eight and a half years where there wasn’t something exceptional that had happened.”
She was constantly accomplishing something, shaping the university to the best of her ability. Jordan stated, “We were able to get some new degree programs, … includ[ing] an MBA in our first engineering program. Winning the RFP for the advanced manufacturing collaborative was one of those wonderful moments.”
Since these two upcoming commencements will be the chancellor’s last, she is deeply cherishing them. She is rejuvenated by the pure joy of graduates and their families these days, stating, “I feel a deep sense of pride at every commencement.”
Dr. Sandra Jordan wishes that she has created an environment of success and welcoming at USC Aiken.
“We put a lot of effort into reaching out to students, hoping that they feel that like this is someplace they belong. We have a lot of first-generation students, [and I want] them to know that they absolutely deserve to be here and have this opportunity. We want … students … who might feel socially awkward and uncomfortable around lots of people … to feel like they have found a home here where there’s a group that they can connect with.”
Jordan also reflects on her hope to be a role model for women as the only woman leading a university in the state of South Carolina. “I hope that they see a woman leading in what is still very much a man’s world and thinking, ‘If she can do that in South Carolina, maybe I can do what it is I want to do in the field I’m interested in.’” She extends her success as being a metaphor for other groups who have been working their ways up in America.
Jordan emphasized how grateful she is for having had the opportunity to represent USC Aiken. She is relishing every moment she has left with the university, and thanks everyone for such a humbling experience representing them.
