CAREolina, a week-long celebration of empathy and care in teaching and learning, will take place March 23-27, 2026. This inaugural event highlights practices grounded in Pedagogies of Care and offers faculty, staff, and graduate teaching assistants opportunities to explore how care, connection, and empathy shape classrooms, interactions with students, and broader instructional practice.
The week features workshops, webinars, curated online videos, and practical resources designed to support educators in their work. Materials focus on strategies for handling difficult conversations, ways to support student success in and outside the classroom, attention to personal well-being, and examples of how care-oriented practice can strengthen relationships and learning outcomes.
CAREolina culminates with the First-Generation Symposium on Friday, March 27, 2026 (9:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.). The symposium is an annual celebration of the experiences, successes, and unique needs of first-generation college students. Supported by CTE and campus partners including the First-Generation Center, TRIO Programs, the Graduation and Retention Network, and the Office of Access and Opportunity, the event includes engaging discussions, data insights, and impactful stories that highlight how educators can better support first-generation student success.
At the First-Generation Symposium, participants will hear from a keynote speaker, engage with research on high-impact experiences for first-generation students, and interact with a student panel that shares personal journeys and insights. Networking sessions will offer space for conversation about teaching strategies, mentorship, and campus-wide initiatives that promote belonging and academic success.
Previews of programs and resources featured during CAREolina will be shared through the CTE website and social media channels. Departments and programs interested in contributing to the CAREolina resource collection are invited to contact Kristin Harrell at kharrell@sc.edu for more information.