Columbia, South Carolina, July 22, 2025
News Summary
Columbia, South Carolina has approved over $720,000 in salary increases for nearly 40 state agency directors and public college presidents. The raises, which range from $9,000 to $80,000, are part of efforts to ensure competitive salaries for state agency leaders. Noteworthy increases include those for S.C. State University President Alexander Conyers and Winthrop University President Edward Serna. These adjustments are based on recommendations from a recent salary study conducted by a consulting firm.
Columbia, South Carolina Approves $720,000 in Raises for Agency Heads and College Presidents
The Agency Head Salary Commission in South Carolina has approved significant salary increases for nearly 40 state agency directors and public college presidents, totaling more than $720,000. The approved raises, which range from $9,000 to $64,000, are based on recommendations from a recent salary study conducted by a consultant based in Charlotte.
Among the notable increases, S.C. State University President Alexander Conyers received the largest raise of $80,000, elevating his salary from $260,475 to $340,919. Winthrop University President Edward Serna’s salary has also increased significantly, moving from $257,990 to $309,588.
The new director of South Carolina’s Medicaid program, Eunice Medina, has a confirmed salary of $264,300, up from $208,000 prior to her appointment in February. The former Medicaid director, Robert Kerr, had a higher salary of $286,000 before his retirement.
Several other notable appointments include Robin Stilwell as the new adjutant general, earning $237,500—an increase from the previous adjutant general’s salary of $187,000. Jake Gasdsen, Director of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, will receive a salary of $170,000, while Rebecca Battle Bryant, the newly appointed director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development, will draw $160,000.
Greenville Technical College’s incoming president, Larry Miller, is set to earn $250,000 when he takes office in July, higher than the outgoing president’s salary of $244,000. Notably, Santee Cooper’s CEO, Jimmy Staton, received a bonus of $236,675, pushing his annual salary to $1.5 million.
The commission has postponed a request to increase the salary of Office of Resilience Director Ben Duncan, who currently earns $140,400. Additionally, while College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu received a raise of approximately $64,000, bringing his salary to $320,500, and Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University, saw his salary rise by $41,000, elevating it to $307,286. Lander University President Richard Cosentino’s pay increased by $31,381, leading to a salary of $279,442.
These raises are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that salaries for state agency leaders are competitive with those of similar positions in other states. This commission had previously approved about $300,000 in pay increases in August for seven agency heads. However, they denied raises for the directors of the Department of Consumer Affairs and the State Museum for reasons that have not been specified.
Key Details of Salary Increases
| Name | New Salary | Previous Salary | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Conyers, S.C. State University President | $340,919 | $260,475 | $80,000 |
| Edward Serna, Winthrop University President | $309,588 | $257,990 | $51,598 |
| Eunice Medina, Medicaid Program Director | $264,300 | $208,000 | $56,300 |
| Robin Stilwell, Adjutant General | $237,500 | $187,000 | $50,500 |
| Jake Gasdsen, Director of Pardon Services | $170,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Rebecca Battle Bryant, Office of Workforce Development | $160,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Larry Miller, Greenville Technical College | $250,000 | $244,000 | $6,000 |
FAQ Section
What is the total amount approved for salary increases?
The total amount approved by the Agency Head Salary Commission for salary increases is over $720,000.
Who received the highest salary raise?
Alexander Conyers, the president of S.C. State University, received the highest raise of $80,000.
What was the reason for the salary increases?
The salary increases aim to align salaries of state agency leaders with competitive rates from other states.
What other notable raises were approved?
Notable raises include Edward Serna of Winthrop University and Eunice Medina of the Medicaid program, among others.
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Additional Resources
- SC Daily Gazette: Dozens of SC Agency and College Leaders Get Raises as High as $64K
- Wikipedia: South Carolina
- News Observer: Education News
- Google Search: South Carolina salary increases
- Spectrum Local News: Clemson University Extends President Jim Clements Contract
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Governor
- Chronicle of Higher Education: President Pay in Public Colleges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Colleges
- The State: Political News in SC
- Google News: SC politics
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