COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Lloyd as its eighth president, effective Thursday, January 16.
Dr. Lloyd succeeds Jeff Perez, who recently joined the Commission on Higher Education as its President & Executive Director. Under Dr. Lloyd’s leadership, SCICU aims to further its mission of advancing the collective impact of independent higher education institutions across South Carolina.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Lloyd to the SCICU family,” said Willis Cantey, Chair of the SCICU Board of Trustees. “His deep commitment to education and his strategic leadership will be invaluable as we work together to expand the mission and support of independent higher education throughout the state.”
Dr. Lloyd previously served as the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the largest and most diverse school at the institution. During his tenure at Palm Beach Atlantic University, he spearheaded the establishment of graduate programs in development, health sciences, and computer science while growing the Fulbright program to become the top university producer in South Florida.
Dr. Lloyd’s impressive leadership history also includes work as the Executive Director of the LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Africa Center for the Atlantic Council, Professor of International Relations at Pepperdine University, and a Fulbright Professor and Visiting Faculty at O.P. Jindal Global University in India.
Lloyd holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He earned his master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University.
“I am honored to join SCICU and to work alongside its exceptional member institutions,” said Dr. Lloyd. “Together, we will continue to champion the transformative power of independent higher education in South Carolina.”
SCICU represents 21 independent colleges and universities across the state, advocating for their collective interests and fostering collaboration to benefit students, faculty, and the broader community.
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