Courtney Catledge Appointed Campus Dean of USC Lancaster
Lancaster, S.C. – Dr. Courtney Catledge has been named the new campus dean of the University of South Carolina Lancaster, effective May 12, 2025. The announcement was made on May 5 by Dr. Susan A. Elkins, chancellor of USC Palmetto College.
Catledge has served as interim dean since January 2024 and was previously the director of USC Lancaster’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Collaborative Program. During her tenure, the campus has experienced multiple semesters of record enrollment growth and expanded programming, particularly in healthcare education.
Chancellor Elkins cited Catledge’s leadership in preparing healthcare professionals and her strong ties to both the campus and the local community as key reasons for the appointment. “Dr. Catledge is the ideal leader to continue the campus’ upward trajectory,” Elkins said in the release.
A longtime resident of Lancaster, Catledge holds multiple degrees from the University of South Carolina, including a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Master of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clemson University.
Catledge has played a role in securing $2.8 million in rural innovation grants to enhance the healthcare workforce in South Carolina. She also helped establish a pathway for certified nursing assistants to earn BSN degrees.
“It’s a privilege to serve the university and community I care deeply about,” Catledge said. “Our students have a meaningful impact on the region, and I’m committed to continuing our progress.”
The appointment follows a national search led by a 13-member committee that included USC Lancaster faculty, staff, students, alumni, and local community leaders. Catledge was selected as one of three finalists before being named to the position.
USC Lancaster, part of the University of South Carolina Palmetto College system, operates campuses in Lancaster and Indian Land, and offers both in-person and online coursework, including early college programs for high school students.
