When University Development faced low recruitment and retention, they grew their own 
solution: Develop Carolina. 

The first of its kind and relatively unheard of in the Southeastern Conference, Develop Carolina 
took recent graduates, none of whom had fundraising backgrounds, and turned them into 
development officers for the various departments and colleges on campus. The group’s many 
different degrees, skillsets and areas of expertise allowed them to bring fresh ideas to their 
individual placements.  

“It was a great way to find people with a vested interest and get some fresh perspectives on 
our team,” says Audra Vaz, the Director of Development for the School of Music. 

And who better understands the student perspective than those who were just students 
themselves? 

After an application and interview process, a panel chose the members of the inaugural 
Develop Carolina cohort. The future officers then entered a 6-week innovative training program 
with Indiana University’s Lilly School for Philanthropy, which taught them the fundamentals of 
fundraising, implementation of their skills and how to use what they have learned to advance 
the mission of the University for the benefit of the community. At the end, they were awarded 
a Certificate in Fund Raising Management and a new job in University Development. 

The officers’ relatability or department-specific knowledge could be just the very thing that 
helps them connect with a donor or refresh an old strategy. Development is more than what 
meets the eye. Its needs are just as diverse as its workers. 

The program teaches its students to sharpen their strengths and look for areas of growth. That 
way, they can push their colleagues and the University itself to be the best it can be. 

"USC is ready to reach heights that it has never seen," says Develop Carolina graduate William 
Avant. "Between the leadership here and the growing student body, I believe the University of 
South Carolina is positioned to do great things, and I'm really excited to be part of it." 

With the University poised to take on its largest-ever freshman class this fall, Develop Carolina 
allowed the community to remain close-knit. The officers, familiar with their peers' desires and 
outlooks, also provide a valuable voice for donors to understand what would benefit the up-
and-coming generation of medical professionals, business owners, politicians, teachers and 
more. Their point of view, up close and personal, provides organic feedback for their 
departments on how to impact the future. 

“They have a fire in their belly for having one of the greatest experiences of their lives,” says 
Vaz. “They have the insider scoop of what it’s like to be a student and what those needs are. 
They bring with them the Gamecock spirit, which will help them speak with donors. They give 
an inside perspective of what it’s like on campus nowadays.”  
 
Though brand new, this program has already set a precedent of students and professionals 
giving back. The impact and generosity of their predecessors allowed these graduates to leave 
their mark for those coming behind them. As the cycle continues and the program grows, the 
Carolina legacy will continue to thrive. 

The graduates come from all walks of life with all kinds of experiences. For many, this is their 
first job after college graduation. For others, this opportunity provides a "second chance" to 
change directions career-wise, according to Alyssa Fencel-Davila.  

"I'm coming from a separate career," she says. "I'm very thankful that USC has given me the 
tools to be able to start over." 

But no matter what stage of their career they are in, Develop Carolina graduates have found an 
opportunity to serve the community they still call home. 

"This program means everything to me," says Kobe Shelton. "It's an opportunity to continue to 
improve the university that has given so much to me over the last four years and continue 
making it better."