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Academic Advising

Inclusive Excellence Resources for Advisors

This page provides basic resource ideas to supplement your personal and professional development around inclusive excellence. If you have ideas for additional resources, please send those to advtrain@mailbox.sc.edu.

Resources for Advisors

The Mission of the University of South Carolina is to educate a diverse population of student citizens, each bringing varied backgrounds, career goals, and aspirations, through a comprehensive array of programs. The Strategic Plan calls for a “campus culture where every individual, regardless of background, has the full opportunity to flourish and thrive.” (For South Carolina: A Path to Excellence, 2020). Recognizing that “the quality of academic advising is the single most powerful predictor of satisfaction with the campus environment for students” (Kuh, et. al., 2006), faculty, professional staff, and program advisors are assigned to support degree progression and student success. Guided by the tenets of the Carolinian Creed - namely integrity, respect, learning, concern, and civility - the Advising Community strives to practice our strength of inclusion & value and appreciate the story and lived experience of each student. Committed to keeping equity at the core of our service, advisors will:

  • Embody an inclusive growth mindset by engaging in critical self-reflection and equity-minded professional development;
  • Sustain inclusive practices that assist students of all identities in achieving their individual definitions of success and goal achievement;
  • Advance an inclusive culture of belonging by creating safe and welcoming spaces for students, listening to their stories, and providing intentional support;
  • Serve as inclusive leaders on our campus by advocating for the removal of barriers to student achievement and partnering with campus offices to ensure accessibility of resources.
    • Michelle Bryan, Office of Access & Opportunity- Intersection of Race, culture, and socioeconomics
    • Daniella Cook, College of Education - Critical Multicultural Education, Black Education, Critical Race Theory, Cultural Competencies 
    • Stephanie Mitchem, African American Studies, Women and Gender Studies - African American/African Diaspora, Black Feminist Theory, Gender and Religion 
    • Cheryl Armstead, School of Public Health - Public Health and Equity, oversees the health equity lab
    • Toby Jenkins, College of Education - Diversity Education, Cultural identity and transformative spaces



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