Announcement of Dr. Warmack as Commission Chair
July 1, 2026 – The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President of Claflin University, as Commission Chair. At its June 16, 2026 meeting, the Commission unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Warmack as Chair of the Tuition Grants Commission, succeeding Dr. Boone Hopkins, President of Converse University.
As Chair of the Commission, Dr. Warmack will work closely with the staff of the Tuition Grants Commission to provide critical support and oversight for the Tuition Grants Program, a student aid grant awarded based on financial need to eligible South Carolina residents who can use the funds to attend a participating in-state independent college or university. Since the program’s inception in 1970, over 520,000 college students have benefited from the Tuition Grant, which helps open doors to postsecondary success by making independent higher education more affordable for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the college of their choice.
“It is my distinct honor and privilege to serve as chair of the South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission,” Warmack said in a statement upon his election to the position. “As a higher education administrator for more than 20 years, one of my highest priorities has been removing financial barriers that limit access to a high-quality college education. For this reason, the mission and vision of the South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission resonate deeply with me. I have spent years developing and directing initiatives to make earning a college degree more affordable. I am eager to bring this dedicated experience to a team that shares the same commitment and to deserving South Carolina students attending our 21 independent colleges and universities.”
Prior to his presidency at Claflin University, Dr. Warmack served as president of Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri, and at the time of his appointment was one of the youngest serving presidents of a four-year institution in the nation. Dr. Warmack’s success at Harris-Stowe captured national acclaim cumulating in a front-page article in the Chronicle for Higher Education, features in the New York Times, the Detroit Free Press and appearances on CNN, Al Jazeera America, C-SPAN and NPR. In total, Warmack has more than 20 years of progressive administrative experience in higher education at numerous distinct higher education institutions, including Bethune-Cookman University, Rhodes College, Western Carolina University, and Delta State University.
Dr. Warmack provides a brand of leadership that is characterized by an unqualified insistence on data driven decision-making and a commitment to higher education’s current best practices. A visionary with a unique understanding and appreciation for today’s students, he is committed to academic integration and the holistic development of students. Dr. Warmack is also committed to developing programs that promote diversity, pluralism and cultural competency. Throughout his career, he has championed inclusion, academic excellence and the retention of underrepresented students. Over the years he has presented more than 120 diversity and leadership presentations and workshops to an array of individuals and groups.
Dr. Warmack earned his bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in sociology from Delta State University. He went on to earn a doctorate in educational leadership with a specialization in higher education from Union University. He also studied educational leadership in a post-doctoral program through the Harvard University School of Education. In addition to his role as Tuition Grants Commission Chair, Dr. Warmack also serves on the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Council as a Region 2 representative and is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Board of Directors and the Orangeburg County Development Commission Board of Directors.
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