A house RESOLUTION

 

To recognize and honor Dr. Pamela Richardson Wilks upon her inauguration as the fourteenth president of Clinton College.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Dr. Pamela Richardson Wilks will be inaugurated as president of Clinton College on Friday, March 6, 2026; and

 

Whereas, as the fourteenth president of Clinton College, Dr. Wilks brings over twenty-five years of experience in higher education across public and private institutions and is widely respected for her commitment to academic excellence, institutional growth, and student-centered innovation, particularly within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and

 

Whereas, a native of Hollister, North Carolina, in rural Warren County, she is a first-generation college graduate, having earned bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University, as well as a doctorate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Wilks began her stellar educational career teaching ninth through twelfth grade English at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. She transitioned into higher education, teaching African American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Winston-Salem State University, and North Carolina A&T State University; and

 

Whereas, she served as assistant professor of languages and literature at Johnson C. Smith University where her passion for teaching and scholarship laid the foundation for her rise in academic leadership.

She has held senior leadership roles at several HBCUs, where her impact has been both strategic and transformative, including Wilberforce University and Shaw University, where she served as associate provost, vice president for academic affairs, and associate vice president; and

 

Whereas, during a time of institutional transformation at Edward Waters University, Dr. Wilks served as chief of staff, assistant to the president, and CEO for strategic initiatives, and later as associate provost, during which she contributed to the college's transition to university status and advanced efforts in accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and operational modernization; and

 

Whereas, as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Coppin State University, she oversaw the launch of new academic programs and strategic planning, managed a nearly thirty million dollar operational and grant budget, and worked to secure a 153% increase in research and sponsored funding; and

 

Whereas, most recently at Paine College, Dr. Wilks served as provost and executive vice president for academic services to oversee enrollment management, initiate the reaffirmation process with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, and lead strategic planning and fundraising efforts to support academic innovation and institutional growth. Her student-success initiatives have resulted in year-over-year enrollment and retention growth at multiple institutions; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Wilks' professional academic honors include recognition as a W.E.B. Du Bois Scholar, as well as induction into honors societies, including Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Tau Delta. In 2023, she was named a Distinguished Alumni Honoree by North Carolina A&T State University in recognition of her professional excellence and contributions to higher education; and

 

Whereas, together with her beloved husband, Dr. Christopher Wilks, she has reared three fine sons: Anthony, Christopher II, and Joshua; and

 

Whereas, the House of Representatives congratulates Dr. Wilks as she begins as president of Clinton College, and the members look forward to hearing of her continued success there. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Pamela Richardson Wilks upon her inauguration as the fourteenth president of Clinton College.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Pamela Richardson Wilks.

----XX----