Linda B. Salane, Ph.D., executive director of the Leadership Institute and special assistant to the president at Columbia College in Columbia, S.C., recently received a James T. Rogers Meritorious Service Award from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) at the association’s 111th annual conference held in Orlando, Fla. This is the eighth year the meritorious service and distinguished leadership awards have been given.



“Dr. Salane was recognized for her valuable service to the Commission on Colleges, and her commitment and dedication to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,” said Belle S. Wheelan, Ph.D., president for the Commission on Colleges, the required accrediting body for more than 780 colleges and universities in the 11 Southeastern states.



“Dr. Salane truly exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that is so crucial to the success of the commission’s work. We are indebted to Dr. Salane for her dedication, commitment and unqualified support,” Dr. Wheelan added.



Dr. Salane received the award based on the quality of her service to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition to serving as a special reader for the Committee on Compliance and Reports for the Commission on Colleges, she has served as a member of the task force for the Accreditation Review Project. Also, she has served as a member of the committee to develop the Handbook for Reaffirmation.



Dr. Salane directs the Leadership Institute designing community leadership programs. As part of her responsibilities, she is developing The Alliance for Women, a public-private partnership between the Governor’s Office Commission on Women and Columbia College, to improve the status of women in South Carolina.