SC State, Bahamas forge education pipeline through new scholars program agreement

Competitively selected students from across the Bahamas will have the opportunity to complete undergraduate degrees at SC State.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas have formalized a new educational partnership designed to open doors for high-achieving Bahamian students while advancing the university’s global presence.

The Program-Specific Agreement, built on a previously signed Memorandum of Cooperation, establishes a Ministry-sponsored Scholars Program that will bring competitively selected students from across the Bahamas to complete undergraduate degrees at SC State.

The agreement, signed by President Alexander Conyers of SC State and Permanent Secretary Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister of the Bahamas, outlines a five-year collaboration that strengthens opportunities for student mobility, academic preparation and international engagement between the two partners.

A new chapter in global engagement

Dr. Manicia Finch, SC State’s vice president for Enrollment Management, said the agreement represents a significant step in expanding the university’s international footprint. 

“This partnership marks a new chapter for SC State University and the Bahamas,” Finch said. “We can foster educational opportunities for high-achieving students, expand scholarship opportunities to Bahamian students, and strengthen SC State University's global impact. This MOU is a testament to the power of collaboration, scholarship and our shared commitment to supporting both SC State University and the Bahamas."

SC State’s Enrollment Management team continues to strengthen the university’s reach by fostering relationships locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Through targeted recruitment trips, ongoing partnerships with high schools, and strong connections with counselors and community organizations, the team ensures that students and families understand the opportunities available at SC State.

Their work extends across borders as they build global pipelines, participate in international education events and cultivate collaborations that bring talented students from around the world to the university. This comprehensive, relationship-driven approach positions SC State as a welcoming, accessible and globally engaged institution.

Conyers said the Bahamas partnership helps ensure students are prepared for a world where global awareness and cultural experience are essential.

“Today’s students deserve an education that stretches far beyond their hometowns,” Conyers said. “Welcoming scholars from the Bahamas brings the world to SC State and sends our impact across the globe. This is the kind of partnership that makes learning an adventure.”

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training in the Bahamas will recruit, screen and select Scholars through its Public School Scholars Programme and additional scholarship pathways. Scholars must meet academic benchmarks, demonstrate financial need and pursue programs of national need as defined by the Ministry.

SC State will admit qualified Scholars, provide scholarships as available, and support them through arrival, acclimation and matriculation. Students will also receive a $10,680 tuition discount through an in-state tuition abatement, renewable annually for up to four years. The Ministry commits to providing up to $10,000 per public-school Scholar and $7,500 per private, transfer or homeschool Scholar each year to support remaining costs. 

Meeting critical workforce needs in Bahamas

Robyn Lynes, chairwoman of the National Scholarship Advisory Committee in the Bahamas, said the partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for her country’s future. 

“I think this is groundbreaking for us because we do not have a partner university that offers the kind of programming and curriculum that this particular university does in the area of agriculture and agribusiness,” Lynes said. “It was very important for us to find these niche programs from institutions that are focusing and directing resources toward those areas that are needed in the country of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas because we have a keen focus on food sustainability, the production of food locally.”

Through this partnership, Bahamian Scholars will have access to majors aligned with the country’s priority workforce areas, including engineering, business analytics, food and nutritional sciences, environmental restoration, biology, chemistry, computer science and more.

Lynes emphasized that food sustainability is among the nation’s most urgent priorities.

“Right now we have a $1 billion import bill for a country of 400,000 people,” Lynes said. “So look at that level of money that is leaving the country for food that is not healthy, for food that is unreliable in terms of its sourcing because when we have things like natural disasters, storms, and you can't have shipments and that kind of thing, what do you do? 

“We are really looking and trying to create an industry in our agricultural sector where we can, at the very least, feed ourselves,” she said.

A shared commitment to access and excellence

The agreement outlines a structured, collaborative system of student support: 

• The Ministry will administer its scholarship programs, select Scholars, provide funding and promote SC State at school visits, fairs an roundtable events.
•  SC State will oversee admission, internal coordination, student arrival logistics, housing procedures and compliance with federal and institutional policies.
• Scholars will complete admissions, secure visas, maintain insurance and meet academic renewal requirements.

Looking ahead

By connecting Bahamian students with high-demand academic programs and reinforcing SC State’s strength in agriculture, STEM and global learning, the collaboration builds a bridge of opportunity that reaches in both directions. 

Bahamian scholars are positioned to return home ready to support critical workforce needs, while SC State benefits from a more globally engaged campus community and deeper international partnerships. The agreement strengthens educational pipelines, supports national priorities in the Bahamas and expands SC State’s role as a university preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world. 

“As we look ahead, partnerships like this are how we ensure our students — and the students we welcome from around the world — are ready for a global future,” Conyers said. “When cultures mix, ideas spark, confidence grows and opportunities multiply. That’s the kind of campus experience we want for every Bulldog.”