Preston Residential College at the University of South Carolina has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Residential College Award from the Residential College Society, recognized for its commitment to fostering community, leadership and meaningful connections between students and faculty.
The award was presented on Thursday Oct. 22, during the 13th annual Residential College Symposium at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Preston Residential College Faculty Director Armen Shaomian and Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Lara Lomicka Anderson, who previously served as faculty director, attended the symposium to accept the award.
The annual symposium brings together faculty and staff to exchange ideas and research related to residential college programs. The symposium serves as a forum for educators and administrators committed to enhancing the residential college experience and strengthen living-learning communities.
Preston’s success reflects a collaborative effort between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. Armen Shaomian is a professor in the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. Now in his 15th year on the USC faculty and his fifth year as faculty director in residence at Preston, Shaomian works closely with Lara Lomicka Anderson, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies, and April Barnes, assistant vice president of University Housing, to support the residential college’s mission.
“Since opening in 1995, Preston Residential College has held a special place in the University of South Carolina community,” says Vice Provost Lomicka Anderson. “As our only residential college with a faculty in residence, Preston offers a distinctive living and learning experience where students develop as leaders, build lasting friendships, and form meaningful connections with faculty and one another. For generations of students who have called Preston home, it is much more than a residence hall, it is a community that stays with them long after graduation. This national recognition is a wonderful tribute to the students, faculty, and staff who have made Preston such an extraordinary place.”
The award highlights Preston’s role in the university community and its commitment to creating a space where students can grow academically, personally, and socially.
