August 5, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C., August 5, 2024 – Columbia College is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new members to the Board of Trustees, led by Board Chairman Ben Rex. Melisa (Missy) Underwood Caughman (CC Class of 1995) is the Budget, Program Management, and Grants Director for the City of Columbia, where she has served since 1998. Teri Grieb, Ph.D. (CC Class of 1993) is the Chief Business and Administrative Leader for the joint academic partnership between Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences. These strategic additions to the Board come at an exciting time for the College, after recent and sustained enrollment growth in tandem with fresh leadership from President John H. Dozier, installed on April 20, 2024.
Dr. Dozier shared, “During my first year of leadership at Columbia College, I have had the distinct privilege of working alongside Ben and the rest of our Trustees. Each of them provides a unique and valued perspective that serves the College incredibly well, as we work to capitalize on our recent growth while looking toward the future. Both Missy Caughman and Teri Grieb have already shown us the immense expertise, professionalism, and value that they bring to the table, and I’m excited to see the distinctive impact they will have on the College community.”
Melisa (Missy) Underwood Caughman has more than twenty-five years in local government and public administration with experience in budget management, policy development, project oversight, technology implementation, and business process review. Missy holds an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Midlands Technical College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Columbia College, and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. Teri Grieb, Ph.D., develops and implements strategic initiatives, leads enterprise integration and change management, builds culture, and advances the partnership by fully leveraging the collective strengths and expertise of both Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences to accelerate research and expand educational opportunities. She serves as a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all endeavors related to the partnership. Dr. Grieb holds a Ph.D. from the Genetics Program at George Washington University and her undergraduate degree in Biology from Columbia College.
As the College’s governing body, the Board of Trustees is responsible for the educational mission and fiscal policies. The Columbia College Board of Trustees members are elected by the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, serve a term of four years, and are eligible to serve up to three consecutive terms.