April 16, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

Greenville, South Carolina native Elizabeth Cole always knew she wanted to become a holistic health care provider – improving patient health from every angle. From a young age, her goal has been to use lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity and social relationships to advance the health of individuals and various populations in her home state. A Gamecock at heart, Cole knew that studying at South Carolina’s flagship university would cement her ties to the state, and she chose the Arnold School’s B.S. in Exercise Science program as her major due to its strong scientific foundation.

“My experience at the University of South Carolina has truly been life-changing,” says Cole, who is a first-generation college student. “Through my leadership roles in student life, on-campus jobs, and meaningful relationships I’ve build with my peers, Columbia has left a lasting mark on me.”

Cole’s undergraduate tenure has been full of experiences – in both breadth and depth. On campus, she served as a student life ambassador and peer tutor, directed the student government philanthropy team, reinstituted USC’s Homecoming Court (after a 10-year hiatus) as president, and conducted research in an inorganic chemistry lab. She also served on the executive board for USC’s National Society of Collegiate Scholars chapter and led her sorority’s involvement in the USC Dance Marathon.

As part of her program, Cole enjoyed participating in the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual Quiz Bowl Competition – an experience that led to her research lab work, made possible through an introduction from her quiz bowl partner. After destructive hurricanes struck the Southeast, Cole and a group of epidemiology classmates launched a program to provide aid to a local children’s home.

One of her favorite experiences as an exercise science student was a study abroad trip to Greece, where she learned all about the lifestyle factors of residents living in the renowned Blue Zones and the exceptional health and long lifespans they enjoy. This experience not only fueled Cole’s passion for public health and her commitment to bringing healthy habits and preventive care to South Carolinians, but it also led to another opportunity – a connection with a peer that resulted in the clinical job she currently holds as an ENT medical assistant.

“I would encourage every student to take full advantage of the opportunities the Arnold School and the exercise science program have to offer,” Cole says. “The Arnold School offers incredible resources tailored to your coursework, but it also opens doors to serve, lead, and grow outside the classroom. Those are the moments that truly shape your journey and lead to life-changing experiences.”

Another key part of her undergraduate experience was the mentorship she received from faculty. Cole calls clinical instructor/undergraduate student services director Barbara Cuevas an invaluable and constant influence, credits clinical associate professor/exercise science undergraduate director Raymond Thompson’s challenging class with helping her become the competitive student and driven leader she is today, and praises clinical associate professor Charlotte Galloway for her endless patience and deep passion for her work.

Out in the community, Cole worked nearly 2,000 hours as a medical assistant for a local ENT practice, spent close to a thousand hours helping fundraise more than $80K for United Stars of the Upstate, and spent more than 100 hours shadowing various health care clinicians (e.g., emergency medicine, physical therapy, general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery). She also volunteered at places like Prisma Health Richland Children’s Hospital.

“Living in the capitol city offers countless opportunities – whether it’s engaging with state legislature and leadership or gaining hands-on experience in clinical care and public health through nearby hospital systems,” Cole says.

After graduating in May, the USC Outstanding Senior and President's Award winner plans to apply to physician assistant school. Cole hopes to attend the master’s program at the USC School of Medicine Columbia so she can provide health care to underserved communities, particularly in Richland county, improving health and making it more accessible in South Carolina.

“From storming the field after the Tennessee win, to standing on the Horseshoe for First Carolina, to late-night study sessions on the first floor of the Thomas Cooper Library preparing for my anatomy exam, every moment over the past four years has shaped the health care provider I aspire to become,” Cole says. “I owe it all to the University of South Carolina and the Arnold School of Public Health.”

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