Kierstyn "Kiki" D.
she/her/hers
Executive Director
Sophomore
Majors: Finance, International Business, & Operations and Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Pageland, SC
When you participate in Pillars for Carolina, you'll enjoy an unforgettable week of leadership and traditions while making lifelong friends.
Students who participate in the Pillars for Carolina program start their first year feeling more confident about life in the classroom with a greater knowledge of campus and gain new friendships with student mentors, faculty and staff members.
Pillars for Carolina is a four-day experience where participants will have a unique opportunity to become acquainted with campus, explore the USC and Columbia community, and have an opportunity to transition to Carolina with other incoming students. Pillars for Carolina is committed to helping students develop self-awareness, enhance relationships, and prepare you for your first semester at USC!
Through Pillars for Carolina, incoming students will have the opportunity to spend three nights in a residence hall, serve the Columbia community, learn the traditions of Carolina, make new friends, and most importantly, have fun!
You're here! Day 1 of Pillars will be spent moving into your room, meeting other Pillars participants, and being placed in your "Family Group". Family Groups will be the group that you stay with throughout the week, led by two of our eXtended Mentors (XM's), upperclassman who have been training to help you transition to USC all spring semester!
Some activities on day one include: Opening Ceremonies (dinner and overview of Pillars), Ice Breakers, and Willy-B 101 (USC chants, cheers, songs, and traditions).
Good morning and welcome to day two of Pillars! Day 2 will be spent around campus and the Columbia community. Participants will start the day with a scavenger hunt around campus before joining upperclassmen at a lunch where they will be paired with other participants based on majors. Participants will then have some time to explore "Cola" as we visit Main Street in Downtown Columbia. In the afternoon, participants will learn more about the history of USC in a fun and interactive way. After dinner, we will have an opportunity to discuss different challenges or situations that might arise during your first year in college and how to overcome those to be successful Gamecocks!
Some activities on day two include: The Amazing Race (USC scavenger hunt), Main Street time, So You Wanna Be a Gamecock? (USC history trivia), and For a Gamecock (challenges you may face your first year at USC).
It's day three here at Pillars! Day 3 is an exciting day exploring campus, with a lunch in the Greek Village, free time at the Wellness and Fitness Center (including pool time, if you want!), and dancing! While participants eat lunch in one of our Greek houses in the Village, they will learn ways to engage around campus their first year, including Greek Life, student organizations, how to be civically engaged, and service opportunities. After lunch, let's have some fun in our Wellness and Fitness Center, where you'll have access to basketball courts, racquetball courts, outside pool, sand volleyball courts, and our 52' climbing wall! After dinner, participants will join in a Pillars tradition: Shag Night, where they will learn the state dance, shag. As we close the night and reflect on the week, participants will reflect in a candlelight ceremony around the Thomas Cooper Library Reflection Pool (the same fountain that our students jump in with every national championship win!).
Some activities on day three include: lunch in the Greek Village, Community Service, Wellness and Fitness Center time, Shag Night, and Candlelight Ceremony.
Done already?! It's the last day of Pillars and we're going out with a bang! Day 4 is full of fun as participants partake in the annual Garnet and Black Olympics! Remember field day in elementary school? Pump it up to Gamecock level and you're ready to play! Participants will close out their time in Pillars with their Family Groups before they leave at 3:00P, ready for their return in August.
Some activities on day four include: Group photos, Garnet and Black Olympics, and Family Group reflection time.
Pillars for Carolina prides itself on making the transition to USC more comfortable for first-year students by providing an opportunity for self-discovery and campus exploration before you come for your first semester.
**Registration fees go towards all space rentals and activities for participants during the program**
**If you are participating in New Student Orientation on July 15-16 or July 22-23, you will be able to check-out of orientation and check-in to Pillars on time.
After registration, you will receive an email with a full packing list.
We are excited to build a committed team of upperclassman students who will help provide incoming students with an unforgettable transition to USC! Pillars has an updated Leadership Team and we encourage you to review the updated position descriptions below:
The Executive Director for Pillars for Carolina will work closely with Pillars Advisors to plan, implement, and lead the Pillars for Carolina extended orientation program, with the Executive Director’s main purpose to lead the Leadership Team.
One student will be selected to serve as the Executive Director.
The Director for Marketing, Outreach, and Media (MOM) will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan and implement marketing and media endeavors for Pillars for Carolina.
One student will be selected to serve as the Director for Marketing, Outreach, and Media.
The Director for Operations will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan and implement the operations of the Pillars for Carolina program.
One student will be selected to serve as the Director for Operations.
The Co-Directors for Staff Development will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan, implement, and lead training and development of eXtended Mentors.
Two students will be selected to serve as the Co-Director for Staff Development.
A rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Gamecock who will serve as a guide and a mentor for incoming students during their Pillars week, first semester at USC, and beyond. XMs will be a resource throughout the college transition.
A rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Gamecock who will assist the Director of Marketing, Outreach, and Media in advertising Pillars during the spring and summer through social media, assist in outreach to prospective participants, tabling at admitted students days, as well as record photo and video content during the weeks of Pillars.
A rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Gamecock who will work beside the Director of Operations to implement scheduling, planning, and execution of operational tasks, while supporting Extended Mentors in transitions, maintaining scheduling integrity, and being a resource as an additional support member.
Lead Team applications close on Sunday, November 3rd, at 11:59P. Applicants will recieve an invitation for an in-person interview during the following week.
To apply, click HERE.
Staff applications close on Sunday, November 17th, at 11:59P. Applicants will recieve an invitation for an in-person interview during the following week.
To apply, click HERE.
she/her/hers
Executive Director
Sophomore
Majors: Finance, International Business, & Operations and Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Pageland, SC
Pillars for Carolina Advisor
Associate Director, Leadership and Service Center
Leadership and Service Center
caublej@sc.edu
803-777-2811
Pillars for Carolina Advisor
Coordinator for Peer Leadership
Leadership and Service Center
dixd@sc.edu
803-576-6163