The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) development team has benefited from significant growth over the last year. With three additions, the team works closely with alumni, corporations, foundations and other benefactors to enrich the college through philanthropy.

The team also coordinates alumni and corporate relations activities throughout the year. These activities drive excellence dollars to the college that enhance facilities, student programming and faculty support. This support ensures the college’s ability to differentiate itself to be a competitive economic workforce engine of engineering and computing professionals, innovators and technologists who improve the lives of individuals and society.

The college has over 20,000 alumni with more than 50% of them residing in South Carolina. The impactful journeys of CEC alumni after stepping off the graduation stage is truly astounding. The college’s alumni include world renowned academics, inventors, trailblazers in human medicine, military leaders, entrepreneurs and pacesetters at companies like ExxonMobil, Apple, Boeing and Intel. This group also includes former Fortune 500 CEOs and a White House chief of staff.

Furthermore, it is also hard to measure the truly incredible impact CEC alumni have on the local and state economy. University of South Carolina engineers and computer scientists are in the fabric of the business communities of Columbia, Midlands region and state. Countless South Carolina-based companies, jobs and opportunities have been and continue to be created because of the innovations, determination and vision of CEC alumni.

During fiscal year 2023, the development team worked alongside donors establishing multiple new endowed scholarships, supporting graduate fellowships and impacting research funds. In addition, the inaugural CEC Alumni Awards and Benefactor Dinner was held at the Pastides Alumni Center on March 30. The team looks forward to continuing to learn the many amazing CEC alumni stories and invite alumni to visit campus to be a part of the CEC community. They also hope to see many alumni at the 2023 homecoming tailgate in the courtyard of the Swearingen building three hours prior to the homecoming kickoff on October 14 against Florida.

Will Johnson – Senior Director of Development  

P: 803-777-2565 E: wj16@mailbox.sc.edu 

Johnson started at the CEC in August 2022 and is responsible for leading the development and alumni relations efforts of the college. For the previous six years, he held development roles in the College of Engineering for the Iowa State University Foundation. He also spent five years as business development manager at JB Hunt Transport, Inc. Johnson earned a Master of Public Administration from Drake University and a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management from Iowa State University.

“My family and I feel extremely blessed to be so warmly welcomed by this state, city and university. I consider it a great honor to be a piece of this historic college and interact with its alumni and benefactors.” – Will Johnson

Julia Heyward – Director of Development

P: 803-777-5855 E: jah49@mailbox.sc.edu

Heyward joined the CEC development team last December. She previously served as development manager for the March of Dimes in Columbia, where she was responsible for donor recruitment, major gifts and leading multiple fundraising events. Heyward is a Columbia native and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in sociology.

“I am thrilled to be back home at my alma mater giving back to the university through development. The future is extremely bright at the College of Engineering and Computing.” - Julia Heyward

Jamie McEntire - Assistant Director of Donor Relations  

P: 803-576-6804 E: mcentirejl@sc.edu

McEntire returned to the CEC this past April. He previously worked at the college as a development associate and project manager from 2018 to 2021. Most recently, he served as a business analyst in the university’s central development. In his current role, McEntire will help support and implement donor relations and stewardship activities. McEntire received an associate’s degree from Spartanburg Methodist College and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Carolina.

“I enjoy knowing the work I am doing for the CEC helps provide the opportunities for our students to grow and make an impact in the world.” - Jamie McEntire