Transformed for Preeminence
PAINE 2036 aligns academic innovation, enrollment growth, student success, infrastructure improvements, and fundraising into a unified strategy. It is grounded in a commitment to operational excellence and a tradition of innovation.
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Vision & Values
Paine 2036: Vision
By 2036, Paine College will be a nationally recognized Christian HBCU that transforms lives through academic excellence, student success, servant leadership, and community impact-preparing graduates to lead, innovate, and serve in a global society.
Mission Statement
The mission of Paine College is to be a community of learners and practitioners committed to providing a globally competitive liberal arts education that produces scholars, servant leaders, and social change agents for the world.
Core Values
- Faith and Integrity – Guided by Christian principles and moral courage, we pursue truth with integrity in all endeavors.
- Intellectual Curiosity – We inspire lifelong learning, critical inquiry, and creative expression.
- Service oriented – We build a compassionate, inclusive community committed to service, justice, and equity.
- Excellence and Innovation – We uphold the highest academic and professional standards while advancing innovation for global good.
- Heritage and Leadership – We honor our historic legacy as an HBCU while preparing new generations of leaders for the world.
- Fiscal Responsibility – Financial prudence must be practiced by all employees and students of the college. Our fundraising and spending must be motivated by an awareness of where we are fiscally and supported with well-documented objectives.
Leadership
Strategic Planning Committee
- Walter T. Tillman Jr., Ph.D., Chairman
- Symphoni M. Wiggins, Vice Chairperson
- Francis Agbemade, Ph.D.
- Za’Niyah Baxter ‘26
- Helene T. Carter
- Elias E. Etinge, Ph.D., MBA
- Jenease L. Horstead
- Willie M. Hughey, MBA
- Dan B. Johnson Jr., Ph.D.
- Makayla D. Jordan ‘27
- Charleston C. Lee ‘22
- Gather Lewis
- William "Teddy" McDaniel, III
PAINE 2036
Dear Paine Stakeholders and Supporters,
Existing since 1882 as an ideal of hope and community, Paine College continues to defy the odds as a cathedral of opportunity and shared community. While it has enjoyed a laudable history, it has also endured some historic challenges. Today, we stand at the dawn of new life.
Paine College is pleased to present PAINE 2036: Preparation for Transformation, a ten-year comprehensive strategic plan that will transform Paine from a local liberal art college into a world-class HBCU, cultural center and nationally significant liberal arts university of 1500 undergraduates and 250 graduate students by the year 2036.
During a decade of deliberateness commencing in 2026 and concluding in 2036, PAINE 2036 will guide the intentional institutional linkage of academic innovation, enrollment growth, student success, campus infrastructure improvements and fundraising to an unwavering commitment to best-in-class operational excellence and historic innovation.
Accreditation, curriculum, faculty development, technology, infrastructure, student experience, fundraising, finance, and branding shall be treated as one integrated system, with the Divisions of Advancement and Fiscal Affairs providing the engine that powers PAINE 2036. This unified framework positions Paine to triple its economic impact, elevate its national standing, and secure a vibrant, mission-driven future as a leading HBCU.
We invite you to roll up your sleeves and join us as we transform this historic small college into a globally significant HBCU that redefines HBCU excellence and innovation.
Lester Agyei McCorn, Ph.D., D.Min.
President
PAINE 2036
Under presidential leadership of Rev. Dr. Lester Agyei McCorn, the Strategic Planning Committee took the Transformation Plan developed during the nascent days of this administration, hosted a series of discussions and engaged in tremendous professional research over a relatively short period of time to birth this plan.
While it was challenging to limit this plan to four (4) goals, the team understood the importance of prioritization. Collectively, we believe that the plan here encapsulates the hopes and dreams expressed by stakeholders during sundry session. Further, this plan aligns with higher education research in the attainment of institutional vibrancy and stability for the future.
PAINE 2036 is ambitious by design. Like our president, it is meant to drive us to stretch into our best selves. This plan is just the beginning. It has been crafted as a precursor to a college-wide master facilities plan and comprehensive fundraising plan. Collectively, these three traditional planning instruments will usher in the halcyon days of Paine's greatest potential.
Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee
Provost
Strategic Goals
Goal 1: Institutional Excellence
By 2036, establish Paine College as a model of academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and financial sustainability through innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. This goal will be realized in outstanding student success, faculty achievement, and global recognition among the top 20 Historically Black universities and the top 100 national liberal arts institutions.
Objectives
Goal 2: Faith and Equity Leadership
By 2036, Paine College will be a national model for faith-centered education and equity leadership — producing scholars, innovators, and servant leaders who live out the principles of Christianity by improving lives, advancing justice, and strengthening communities locally and globally.
Objectives
Goal 3: Transformative Community Impact
By 2036, Paine College will be a national exemplar of HBCU – community partnership, fostering innovation, inclusion, sustainable growth, and environmental responsibility through dynamic collaborations across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and beyond. Paine will triple its 2024 economic impact from $13 million to $40 million, serving as a catalyst for shared prosperity while advancing ecological sustainability.
Objectives
Goal 4: Champion Athletics and World Class Arts
By 2036, Paine College will be recognized as a premier center for creative expression and athletic distinction… showcasing the talents, discipline, and moral vision of the African American liberal arts tradition while preparing students for success in life, leadership, and competition.
ObjectivesKey Initiatives
By 2036
Centers of Excellence
Hispanic Living Learning Communities
Business Innovation Hub
Cultural Center
Honors Program
Laboratory School System