South Carolina State University alumnus Dr. Jason C. Darby has been appointed to lead the University of South Carolina Palmetto College’s newly established Office of Corporate and Community Engagement. In the role, Darby leads efforts to develop strategic partnerships with employers, civic leaders and community organizations across South Carolina to advance workforce development, educational access and economic opportunity.
Darby brings more than 25 years of professional experience to the position. He most recently served as director of marketing and communications for USC Palmetto College, where he spent more than a decade leading marketing and communications campaigns. His career also includes positions in corporate public affairs at SCANA Corp., workforce development at Trident Technical College, and communications leadership at Claflin University and Allen University.
Darby also has worked as an executive speechwriter and communications consultant, primarily for historically Black college and university presidents. Earlier in his career, he served SC State as assistant public relations director and a university spokesman.
Darby earned a bachelor’s degree in professional English from SC State in 1999. He later earned a master’s degree in mass communication in 2005 and a doctorate in higher education administration in 2025 from the University of South Carolina. His doctoral research focused on crisis communications leadership, trust and transparency at HBCUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.