Centers of Excellence

Centers of Excellence at FMU

The Centers of Excellence Program was established by the South Carolina Education Improvement Act (EIA) of 1984. That legislation provided for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the State Board of Education, to contract with selected public or private colleges and universities, or groupings of such institutions, to provide centers of excellence in programs designed to train teachers. Funds for implementing this activity shall be appropriated annually to the Commission on Higher Education which, in consultation with the State Board of Education, monitors the performance of participating institutions.

Francis Marion University is home to two Centers of Excellence. The Center of Excellence for Teaching Children of Poverty was formed in 2004. The Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness was formed in 2014.

Both centers are led by FMU faculty and the presence of centers enhances FMU’s academic life and educational offerings.

Learn More

To find out more about the resources, programs, and events our Centers of Excellence have to offer, please visit the links below.

Contact

  • Dr. Pawloski Tammy
    Dr. Tammy Pawloski Director, Center of Excellence for Teachers of Children of Poverty, Professor of Education tpawloski@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1475 Departments
    Center of Excellence for Teachers of Children of PovertySchool of Education
    Office
    Additional information

    http://www.fmucenterofexcellence.org/

    Areas of Specialization

    Early Childhood Education

    Children of Poverty


    Photo of Tammy Pawloski
  • Dr. Nelson Matthew
    Dr. Matthew Nelson Professor of English, Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness mnelson@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1500 Departments
    Center of Excellence-College and Career ReadinessEnglishEnglish and Philosophy
    OfficeFH 109
    Additional information

    Matthew Nelson came to FMU in 2004 from the Joint Program in English and Education at the University of Michigan.  His research combines perspectives from the fields of composition and rhetoric and qualitative educational research. Matt’s research projects include an exploration of the nature of the transition students make between writing in high schools and writing at the university. Matt teaches both first-year and advanced composition courses at FMU and serves as Co-Director of the Swamp Fox Writing Project.  Together with Dr. Meredith Love, he is also Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness at Francis Marion.

    Education

    PhD, University of Michigan

    MA, Texas A&M University

    BA, Texas A&M University


    Photo of Matthew Nelson