USC Spartanburg: The Making of a Metropolitan University to Serve a Changing Region

Abstract

Eight years of progress to accomplish metropolitan mission-related goals are summarized in this article. To illustrate the transition from a "regional" to a "metropolitan" university, the article describes the stages of development that have characterized the emergence of the institution's highly internationalized and diversified urban region, Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C. Those stages are identified as strategic framework, early accomplishment, tension and realignment, and goal achievement. Reviews of three institutional goals illustrate the transition: campus community development, academic development, and master plan development.