DR. SUSAN J. MORRISON, who joined the faculty of the College of Charleston in 1979, received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Microbiology from Colorado State University and her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with a Microbiology emphasis from Florida State University. Her work experience includes two years as an Assistant Scientist at the University of Minnesota’s Hormel Institute and several years as a student assistant in the Colorado State University Activities Center.  From 1993 to 1999, she was the first director of the College’s minor in Environmental Studies.  As well as teaching undergraduate courses in biology, Dr. Morrison is a member of the graduate faculty of the College of Charleston programs in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies and an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and of Clinical Laboratory Science at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).  The majority of Professor Morrison’s research has focused on microbiology, sanitation, and environmental issues, and a significant component of this scholarship has involved collaborative research with undergraduate students.

Before becoming Associate Provost in January 2001, Dr. Morrison served as Faculty and Senate Parliamentarian and as a Faculty Senator as well as on numerous departmental and College committees. Because of her strong interest in the health professions, Professor Morrison serves as an academic advisor for Pre-Allied Health students as well as the liaison from the College of Charleston to the MUSC College of Health Professions. She is the former president and an executive committee member of the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology. She is also a board member and secretary of the Southeastern Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.  As a testimony to her commitment to student learning, she has been awarded the Outstanding Microbiologist Award from the South Carolina Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, the College of Charleston Distinguished Advising Award, the College of Charleston Distinguished Service Award, and the College of Charleston chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Meritorious Service Award. Her major projects in the Office of Academic Affairs have included working on the Undergraduate Research Program and Convocation, as well as the many shared responsibilities of the office.  In addition to her associate provost duties, she continues to teach Microbiology lecture and laboratory in the Biology Department.