Columbia, SC — September 3, 2025, Benedict College proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Melissa Lockard as the new Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, a pivotal role aimed at driving institutional effectiveness, enhancing student learning outcomes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
In her new capacity, Dr. Lockard will lead the design, coordination, and implementation of comprehensive assessment programs across academic and administrative units. Her work will ensure compliance with regional accreditation standards, including those of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and support strategic planning through evidence-based analysis and reporting.
“In this vital role, Dr. Lockard will lead our comprehensive assessment initiatives and data-driven decision making to enhance student learning and institutional effectiveness,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “She will work collaboratively across campus to ensure we continue meeting our strategic goals while providing transformative learning experiences for our diverse student body. We look forward to her leadership in fostering our culture of continuous improvement to be the BEST of BC.”
“After 15 fulfilling years of teaching biology, I’m honored to step into the role of Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment,” said Dr. Lockard. “This transition feels like a natural progression from my work as Data Champion with the Yes, We Must Coalition and allows me to apply my terminal degree in Higher Education Administration. I am very excited to contribute to the broader mission of Benedict College.”
Dr. Lockard’s leadership will be critical in aligning Benedict College’s assessment practices with institutional goals and ensuring data-driven enhancements to student learning and institutional performance. “Although I’ll miss the daily interactions with students, I look forward to supporting their successes from a new vantage point while still finding meaningful ways to stay connected with them outside of the classroom,” Dr. Lockard added. “My role may be changing, but my commitment to our students and continuous improvement remain the same.”
Dr. Lockard brings a robust academic and professional background to the position, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration (Educational Leadership) from Liberty University, a Professional Science Master’s Degree in Biotechnology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Carolina. Her appointment reinforces Benedict College’s commitment to institutional excellence, accountability, and student-centered innovation.
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About Benedict College (www.benedict.edu)
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 was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
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.