Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack Earns 2025 NASPA President's Award Through Student-Focused Leadership

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) has selected Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack for its 2025 President's Award. The award is presented annually by the organization to a college or university President or Chancellor who has, over a sustained period, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting the institution's student affairs staff and initiatives.  Warmack received the prestigious award at the 2025 NASPA Conference on March 18 in New Orleans, La. 

"I am immensely grateful to be selected as the winner of the 2025 NASPA President's Award," Warmack said. "I have a very special relationship with NASPA and the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to achieve the organization's mission and vision at their respective colleges and universities.  Thank you, NASPA, for this amazing honor and for supporting generations of outstanding student affairs professionals."

Warmack began his tenure as Claflin's ninth president on August 1, 2019.  Claflin, founded in 1869, is South Carolina's oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU).  It was the state's first higher education institution to admit all students regardless of ethnic origin, gender, race, or religion. 

Before Claflin, Warmack served for five years (2014-2019)  as president at Harris Stowe State University. His previous leadership positions in higher education were in the student affairs divisions at Delta State University, Rhodes College, Western Carolina, and Bethune Cookman. Those experiences gave Warmack a keen insight into supporting students in their academic, social, and cultural development.  They also nurtured Warmack's commitment to creating and sustaining a campus environment that promotes student success.  

"As an undergraduate at Delta State University, I was surrounded by caring, attentive, and intellectually stimulating mentors. Many were student affairs administrators," Warmack said.  "They encouraged me to actively participate in student organizations and introduced me to various leadership opportunities. After completing undergraduate and graduate programs, I began my career in higher education. My first three administrative leadership positions were in student affairs, which provided a deep understanding of diversity within the campus culture and the unique needs of the students."

Shortly after arriving at Claflin, Warmack announced that building a new student center to enhance the campus environment was one of his top priorities. In March 2024, Claflin opened an attractive, ultra-modern three-story facility, which Warmack described as the University's "new living room."  The student center includes Orangeburg's only movie theater and the only multi-purpose conference room/ballroom in Orangeburg with seating for 800 or more guests. The center also features a communal retail space, eSports lab, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, a scenic outdoor terrace, administrative offices, and group study rooms.  The $42 million structure has become the hub for campus and community engagement.

Student success is prominent in Claflin SOARS: TRANSFORMATION & ELEVATION: 2021-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN.  Strategic academic partnerships that encourage faculty and student engagement and expand academic/research opportunities are key components of the plan. Clemson University, Ohio Wesleyan University, the University of South Carolina, Yale, London Metropolitan University, and the University of Florence are among the current partners.  These relationships will ensure access to exemplary educational opportunities that develop globally engaged visionary leaders.

Warmack, who was named 2024 Person of the Year by The Times and Democrat Newspaper, has implemented advanced technologies and innovation into all facets of the University's operations, secured a portion of Goff Avenue – a busy thoroughfare through the heart of the campus; and hosted a historic and amazingly impactful HBCU Tech Summit at Claflin in September 2024.  However, the development, health, safety, and welfare of Claflin students and the campus community take precedence over those achievements.  When Claflin received more than $17.4 million from South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn in 2023 to build a Center for Innovation and Technology, Warmack was focused on what the gift meant to the students and the campus community.

"This grant is an investment that will provide Claflin with the resources and the potential to lead research in critical areas that impact our nation and the world," Warmack said. "It will also expand collaborative research for our students and faculty."