Columbia College is pleased to announce the election of Major General Patricia R. Wallace and Seema Shrivastava to its Board of Trustees. Elected during the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in early June 2026, the two new trustees bring distinguished records of leadership in military service, business, healthcare, and public service that will strengthen the College’s governing board as it continues advancing its mission.
“The strength of Columbia College has always been rooted in the caliber of leaders who dedicate their time and expertise to our students and our future,” said President John H. Dozier. “Major General Wallace and Mrs. Shrivastava each bring exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a heart for service. I am honored to welcome them to our Board of Trustees and look forward to the insight they will provide as we continue building on the remarkable momentum underway at Columbia College.”
Patricia “Trish” Wallace is a Reserve General Officer, principal owner of Performance Driven Consulting, and an authority on large-scale organizational transformation. Combining 38 years of corporate and military leadership experience, Trish specializes in cross-sector problem-solving to drive long-term institutional excellence. She holds advanced degrees from Indiana University Bloomington and the U.S. Army War College.
Seema Shrivastava, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, is a respected Columbia business and civic leader who serves as CEO/Founder of SSP Health Care Solutions, CEO of SSP Solutions Firm, and CEO of Carolina Convenience Corporation. She also previously served as President of the South Carolina Convenience Store and Petroleum Marketers Association, becoming the first minority to serve as president of the two combined groups. She made history as the first Indian-American woman to serve as Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and has served in leadership roles with numerous business, cultural, and philanthropic organizations across the state.
“Columbia College is fortunate to welcome two leaders whose accomplishments are matched by their commitment to serving others,” said Tim Arnold, Chair of the Columbia College Board of Trustees. “Their diverse experiences and thoughtful leadership will strengthen our Board as we continue guiding the College through a period of tremendous opportunity and growth. We are excited to have them join us in shaping Columbia College’s future.”
The Columbia College Board of Trustees is composed of accomplished leaders from across business, education, healthcare, ministry, law, finance, and public service who provide strategic governance and oversight in support of the College’s mission. To learn more about the Board of Trustees and its members, visit the Columbia College Board of Trustees website.