Meet CSU's 3rd President

Dondi E. Costin, PhD

Dondi E. Costin, PhD, became Charleston Southern University’s third president July 1, 2018. Dr. Costin spent his first year holding listening sessions and updating the university’s strategic plan.

Dr. Costin has a track record in key leadership positions with the U.S. Air Force, having obtained the rank of Major General in his 32 years of commissioned service. He most recently served at The Pentagon as Air Force Chief of Chaplains. As Chief of Chaplains, he was the senior pastor for more than 664,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas, and led 2,000 chaplains and chaplain assistants from the Air Force Chaplain Corps.

A native of Wilmington, N.C., Dr. Costin graduated from The United States Air Force Academy in 1986 and retired from the Air Force before assuming the CSU presidency. A decorated combat veteran, he deployed in support of numerous contingency and humanitarian relief operations across the globe and previously served as senior chaplain for Air Force operations both in the Pacific and the Middle East.  His military decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in operations research, Dr. Costin holds five master’s degrees, a Doctor of Ministry degree, and a PhD in organizational leadership.  In a previous assignment, he taught courses in leadership, management, political science and military history as assistant professor of aerospace studies at Texas Christian University.

“Vickey and I could not be more thrilled to lead the CSU family in its drive to develop leaders of character by integrating faith and learning in an environment of academic excellence. With God’s help—the best is yet to come,” said Dr. Costin.