Myrtle Beach, SC, December 19, 2025
News Summary
Coastal Carolina University is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and academic excellence through the expansion of environmental studies programs and strategic hiring. The university is also seeking to bolster its horticultural staff to maintain its scenic campus, while its comprehensive sustainability initiatives involve collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and the community. These steps not only prepare students for environmental challenges but also positively impact the Myrtle Beach area’s economy and environment, demonstrating CCU’s dedication to responsible growth and innovation.
Myrtle Beach, SC — Coastal Carolina University (CCU) continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and academic excellence, contributing significantly to the Myrtle Beach area’s educational and economic landscape. Through strategic hiring, comprehensive sustainability initiatives, and robust academic programs, CCU is fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation that extends beyond its campus borders. These efforts underscore the university’s dedication to student growth, institutional excellence, and positive community impact.
The university’s focus on maintaining its natural surroundings while developing cutting-edge environmental studies programs exemplifies a balanced approach to higher education. By investing in both the physical environment and the intellectual capital of its students and faculty, CCU reinforces its role as a leader in preparing individuals for critical challenges in the modern world. This holistic strategy not only enhances the student experience but also generates tangible benefits for the local and state economies.
Investing in Campus Aesthetics and Environmental Care
Coastal Carolina University is actively strengthening its commitment to environmental care through the strategic expansion of its Horticultural Staff. The university is currently seeking applications for a full-time Horticultural Staff position within its Grounds Department, identified by the job number FTE-S01112P. This role is integral to maintaining the university’s scenic campus, emphasizing the discipline and specialized knowledge required for professional groundskeeping. The responsibilities of this position include the installation and maintenance of landscape beds, assisting with greenhouse and nursery growing operations, and the meticulous care of pots, hanging baskets, and various floral installations. Candidates are expected to possess knowledge of best practices in landscaping and plant care, as well as the ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment. This commitment to a well-maintained campus environment reflects the university’s dedication to providing an uplifting and conducive learning atmosphere.
Pioneering Sustainability Through Collective Action
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Coastal Carolina University’s operational philosophy, manifested through its comprehensive “Sustainability at Coastal Carolina University” initiative. This initiative functions as a shared endeavor, uniting students, faculty, staff, and the broader community in a collective pursuit of environmental responsibility. The TD Campus and Community Sustainability Initiative, established in October 2005, plays a crucial role in this mission, striving to transform CCU into an environmentally sustainable university.
The initiative’s multifaceted approach encompasses campus operations, student curriculum integration, engaging outreach programs, and fostering collaboration within the community for sustainable resource stewardship. Key efforts include educating the campus community on sustainability and green practices, developing programming that impacts student and campus operations, fostering partnerships between departments, and systematically measuring and reporting campus sustainability efforts. CCU also coordinates efforts to meet the goals of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. A significant component of these efforts is robust recycling programs, which include single-stream recycling for various materials like plastic, paper, newspaper, and cardboard. Additionally, the university has established separate hubs on campus for battery, inkjet, and cell phone recycling, collecting substantial amounts of materials for responsible disposal. This proactive stance on sustainability demonstrates the university’s leadership in promoting personal responsibility and environmental consciousness.
Auxiliary Enterprises Supporting Campus Operations
The university’s extensive network of support services, managed by Auxiliary Enterprises, plays a vital role in enabling CCU’s academic and operational excellence. With a team exceeding 700 university and contract employees, Auxiliary Enterprises provides essential services to a diverse constituency, including students, faculty, staff, guests, and fans. These services indirectly support the university’s environmental initiatives by ensuring the efficient functioning of campus facilities and resources. This operational discipline is crucial for the seamless execution of programs and the overall student experience, allowing the academic and grounds departments to focus on their specialized contributions to the institution and the community.
Advancing Environmental Education and Research
Coastal Carolina University stands as a prominent institution for environmental studies, offering a range of advanced academic programs designed to prepare students for careers in critical environmental fields. The university launched a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marine and Coastal Environmental Science (MCES), approved to commence in Fall 2023. This program provides students with practical training and knowledge to quantitatively and critically evaluate marine and coastal environmental topics through an interdisciplinary lens, incorporating at least two marine science sub-disciplines. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of fundamental scientific concepts with conservation, management, economic, and policy topics relevant to modern marine and coastal environments. This prepares graduates for entry-level positions or further graduate study in marine, coastal, and environmental research, management, education, planning, law, and policy within government agencies, universities, and private industry firms.
Beyond the MCES program, CCU offers additional environmental programs, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, and a Doctorate in Chemical and Physical Oceanography. These programs contribute to a highly skilled workforce essential for addressing South Carolina’s unique environmental challenges. Coastal Carolina University is recognized as the Second Best Environmental School in South Carolina and ranks within the Top 100 Environmental Schools in the United States. Nationally, its Oceanography & Hydrology program ranks 46th, and its Sustainability Studies program ranks 60th. This academic rigor highlights CCU’s commitment to producing leaders equipped to address complex environmental issues.
Key Environmental Program Rankings (2024)
| Category | Ranking | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Environmental Schools | Top 100 | United States |
| Overall Environmental Schools | Second Best | South Carolina |
| Oceanography & Hydrology Program | #46 | USA |
| Sustainability Studies Program | #60 | USA |
| Best Sustainability Studies Program | Best | South Carolina |
| Second Best Oceanography & Hydrology Program | Second Best | South Carolina |
Driving Community and Economic Impact
Coastal Carolina University’s initiatives extend their positive influence well beyond the campus, significantly impacting the broader Myrtle Beach community and the South Carolina economy. The development of programs like the B.S. in Marine and Coastal Environmental Science is strategically designed to address the increasing demand for interdisciplinary, science-based solutions to coastal zone issues such as flooding, erosion, and natural resource management. These issues directly influence the region’s economy and tax base, making the university’s contributions vital for sustainable growth.
The university’s current strategic plan, known as “CCU Reach,” explicitly identifies sustainability and efficiency as foundational keystones. This plan underscores CCU’s dedication to making a tangible difference beyond its campus, particularly by engaging the approximately 450,000 South Carolinians who do not possess a college degree. Furthermore, the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies serves as a hub for student research and fosters important partnerships with local, state, and federal entities, amplifying the university’s real-world impact. This focus on practical application and community engagement demonstrates CCU’s role as a catalyst for regional progress and a champion of personal and collective responsibility. Through such endeavors, Coastal Carolina University cultivates not only academic excellence but also civic leadership and a robust sense of community.
Conclusion
Coastal Carolina University’s ongoing efforts in environmental stewardship, academic programming, and community engagement exemplify a forward-thinking institution committed to leadership and positive impact. From the dedicated work of its horticultural staff in maintaining a beautiful and sustainable campus to the rigorous academic pursuits within its highly-ranked environmental science programs, CCU is actively shaping a more responsible and prosperous future for the Myrtle Beach region and beyond. The university’s emphasis on sustainability, student development, and economic contribution solidifies its position as a vital asset to South Carolina’s higher education and economic ecosystem. Readers are encouraged to explore the diverse academic offerings at Coastal Carolina University, attend campus events that showcase student and faculty achievements, and stay updated on the continuous growth and positive contributions of the Myrtle Beach college community.
Keywords: Coastal Carolina University, Myrtle Beach SC college news, South Carolina higher education, CCU research, sustainability initiatives
Frequently Asked Questions
- What new academic program has Coastal Carolina University introduced in environmental science?
- Coastal Carolina University has introduced a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marine and Coastal Environmental Science (MCES), approved to start in Fall 2023.
- What are some of Coastal Carolina University’s key sustainability initiatives?
- Coastal Carolina University’s key sustainability initiatives include the TD Campus and Community Sustainability Initiative, which focuses on campus operations, student curriculum, outreach, and community collaboration, alongside robust recycling programs for various materials, including batteries, inkjet cartridges, and cell phones.
- How does Coastal Carolina University contribute to the local economy?
- Coastal Carolina University contributes to the local economy through programs like the B.S. in Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, which addresses coastal zone issues impacting the regional economy and tax base, and through its Auxiliary Enterprises, which employs over 700 university and contract employees providing essential services.
- What is the purpose of the Horticultural Staff at Coastal Carolina University?
- The Horticultural Staff at Coastal Carolina University is responsible for installing and maintaining landscape beds, assisting with greenhouse and nursery growing operations, and maintaining pots, hanging baskets, and other floral installations to ensure a well-kept campus environment.
- Where does Coastal Carolina University rank in environmental programs?
- Coastal Carolina University ranks as the Second Best Environmental School in South Carolina and among the Top 100 Environmental Schools in the United States. Its Oceanography & Hydrology program ranks 46th nationally, and its Sustainability Studies program ranks 60th nationally.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Myrtle Beach Boosts Community with Live Music and Festivals
Myrtle Beach Bowl Showcases Collegiate Football Excellence
Coastal Carolina Men’s Basketball Struggles Against App State
Coastal Carolina University Men’s Basketball Falls to App State
2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl Features Conference Champions
Chanticleers Fall to App State in Sun Belt Opener
Gamecocks’ RB Strategy: Coach Beamer on Future Plans
Conway High School Athletes Showcase Grit and Precision in Key Competitions
Myrtle Beach Shines: Ripley’s Festival of Trees Illuminates Community Spirit
Chanticleers Face JMU in Intense Sun Belt Opener
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
