Columbia, S.C., November 24, 2025, Benedict College is pleased to announce the addition of the Rev. Joi Gabrielle Artis, an accomplished educator and faith leader, to the Benedict College community. Artis will serve as the College’s new campus minister and chaplain.
Artis is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and brings more than a decade of educational expertise and extensive ministry experience to her new role. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from South Carolina State University, followed by a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University in 2016. In 2025, she completed her Master of Divinity at Dickerson Green Theological Seminary, further strengthening her foundation in leadership and spiritual development.
“We are honored to welcome Rev. Artis to the Benedict College family. Her exemplary record of service in education and ministry reflects a deep commitment to excellence that aligns seamlessly with the mission and core values of our institution,” said Jacob Koon, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Rev. Artis brings a wealth of experience, along with a steadfast dedication to student success and community engagement. We are confident that her leadership and passion will make a meaningful and lasting impact on our students and the entire Tiger community.”
Over the past 14 years, Artis has served as a dedicated South Carolina educator, teaching Kindergarten through 3rd grade in Berkeley County, Richland School District Two, and Orangeburg County. Her commitment to academic excellence and student-centered instruction has made a lasting impact on countless young learners.
“My inspiration for Campus Ministry is rooted in the role that it played in my life during my matriculation through college. It kept me rooted and grounded as well as provided networking opportunities through community service projects, project service hours, and opportunities to serve as Worship Leader and provide the word on some occasions,” said Artis. “It is because of that experience; I want to give students the same opportunity.”
In addition to her work in education, Artis has held numerous leadership roles within the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. From 2005 to 2011, she served as the Central Conference YPD President and as a committee chairperson at the Episcopal level. She went on to represent the 7th Episcopal District as the Young Adult Representative on the General Board of the Connectional Church from 2012 to 2020. Artis currently serves as the proud pastor of St. James AME Church in Pinewood, South Carolina.
Artis also hopes to support students in their personal and spiritual growth by being a listening ear when times become too heavy, to show up for them in the good and the bad times, cultivating a campus ministry environment that values inclusion, dialogue, and mutual respect across religious and cultural identities, and preparing students for lives of leadership, service, and social responsibility rooted in integrity, justice, and compassion.
Benedict College is honored to welcome her and looks forward to the continued leadership, passion, and excellence she will bring to the Benedict family.
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Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and voted the number one Gold Winner in The States’ BEST College or University in 2025.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.