Amanda J. Fairchild has been named faculty director of the Capstone Scholars Program, effective May 16.
A professor and associate department chair in the Department of Psychology, Fairchild brings nearly two decades of experience in academic leadership, student mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration to the role.
“Amanda Fairchild is an accomplished scholar, innovative leader and deeply committed mentor whose work reflects the very best of the University of South Carolina,” said Vice Provost Lara Lomicka-Anderson. “Her collaborative approach, dedication to student success and passion for creating meaningful academic experiences make her exceptionally well suited to lead the Capstone Scholars Program. I am confident she will build on the program’s strong tradition while advancing new opportunities for our students to thrive.”
The Capstone Scholars Program is a two-year, invitation-only program for high-achieving students at the University of South Carolina. The program is designed to support students in connecting their academic experiences with meaningful beyond-the-classroom opportunities in six areas: common academic experiences, leadership, career readiness and professional development, global learning, undergraduate research and community service.
Fairchild is a respected leader and advocate for student success across the university. In addition to serving as associate department chair, she founded the Quantitative Psychology Ph.D. concentration and currently leads the Midcareer Faculty Development Program in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.
As faculty director, Fairchild plans to build on the strong foundation of the Capstone Scholars Program by expanding opportunities for undergraduate research, experiential learning and mentorship. She also hopes to strengthen alumni engagement and further elevate the program’s visibility and impact across campus.
“Throughout my career, I have been most energized by opportunities to build programs, connect people across disciplines and help students unlock high-impact experiences,” Fairchild said. “Capstone has built a remarkable culture of excellence and opportunity, and I am honored to now be part of it. I am excited to help lead the program into its next chapter.”