Teagan Thomas is enrolled in the 2025-26 cohort of Palmetto Pathway, a bridge program that began in 2019. Like all other students in the program, the Summerville, South Carolina, freshman is enrolled at the University of South Carolina through USC Lancaster but lives in Bates residence hall on the Columbia campus and attends classes exclusively with other Palmetto Pathway students.
After successful completion of the first year, Palmetto Pathway students transfer to USC Columbia. The program boasts a retention rate of up to 90 percent, which is why its initial annual enrollment of 50 students has doubled to 100.
We spoke with Thomas about her experience with the program.
What was your high school experience like?
I went to Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville — I swam and was a cheerleader and involved in clubs. I was also in the Teacher Cadet program. That was one of the things that made me want to choose USC, because the university has a good teaching program.
This is your second semester in Palmetto Pathway. What do you think of the program so far?
At first, I wasn’t happy that I got enrolled through this program, but I actually really love it now, and that’s because it’s such a small cohort.
You’re taking regular courses, but all of your fellow students in class are in Palmetto Pathway, right?
Right. The class sizes are small, and we take all our classes in either the Byrnes building or 1600 Hampton, so that helps with the transition. It’s definitely college — but it has more of a high school feel, which I think helps people get used to the big campus.
What steered you to choosing education as your major?
I was a competitive swimmer for a long time, but I just got burned out and started to coach instead. I realized that I liked to work with kids. Then I did Teacher Cadet in high school and that was fun, so I was like, “OK, this is what I’m going to do.”
And you’re thinking about teaching first grade?
That might change, but that’s what I’m thinking for now. For the Teacher Cadet program in high school, we get placed in classrooms and can request the teacher we want. So, my first grade teacher was actually my mentor for my first Teacher Cadet placement. It was a very full circle experience.
What’s been your biggest impression of USC and Palmetto Pathway to this point?
It’s been easy to make friends and transition into college. My friends who are regular admissions have not made nearly as many friends as I have, and it’s just because we’re in a smaller class with the same 100 people in Palmetto Pathway. Most students have the same schedules, so you’re around them a lot. I would say confidently that everyone I’ve had a class with I could say “hi” to outside of class, and they would know my name and be able to have a conversation with me.