Stories for Faculty and Staff

Lauren Greenfield smiles for the camera with a football.

Alumna builds community as Washington Commanders executive

May 13, 2026, Megan Sexton

After earning her degree in sport and entertainment management, Lauren Greenfield went directly into Georgetown University’s sports industry management master’s program. Then she found her passion with the Washington Commanders. Greenfield focuses on innovative ways to create value for both new and existing sponsors — developing go-to-market strategy, examining industry-wide best practices, building sponsorable platforms across the business and working with internal and external constituents across the NFL.  

Topics: Alumni, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Carolinian

Frank Avignone in his campus laboratory with the Thomas F. Jones Memorial Electron Spectrometer.

Physicist Frank Avignone has fed his scientific curiosity with a steady pursuit of new ideas

May 07, 2026, Chris Horn

Frank Avignone has been fascinated by physics longer than most people have been alive, an intense curiosity that began in the waning days of World War II. Now, more than six decades after being recruited to the faculty of USC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, Avignone continues to conduct particle physics research with renowned scholars, some of them at international laboratories he helped build decades ago.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Recognition, Service, Leadership, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Carolinian

Magdalena Stawkowski smiles for the camera

The nuclear afterlife of the Cold War in the Eurasian Steppe has become the cornerstone of anthropologist Magdalena Stawkowski's research

May 04, 2026, Craig Brandhorst

USC anthropologist Magadalena Stawkowski spent years interviewing the people who live near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in rural Kazakhstan. Her 2025 book, “Atomic Collective”, examines culture and community in one of the most toxic places on Earth.

Topics: Faculty, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Carolinian, Breakthrough Research

Student stands and waves at commencement cermony

Class of 2026

April 27, 2026, Megan Sexton

As the Class of 2026 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Recognition, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Graduate School, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, school-of-law, School of Music, College of Nursing, Arnold School of Public Health, College of Social Work, South Carolina Honors College

Dawn Staley coaches her team from the sidelines during a game

Dawn Staley elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

April 22, 2026, Dan Cook

Dawn Staley has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Election to the Academy is a prestigious honor, and Coach Staley joins only three others from USC who are currently part of the academy. Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is both an honorary society that recognizes and celebrates the excellence of its members and an independent research center convening leaders from across disciplines, professions and perspectives to address significant challenges.

Topics: University President, Recognition, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

A presenter talks with an attendee at Discover USC.

Students dig in on research, present findings at Discover USC

April 20, 2026, Marketing and communications

Every year, USC students and scholars from a variety of backgrounds and academic disciplines come together to present at Discover USC. The conference features 1,000-plus research projects. Undergraduates, graduate students, medical scholars and postdocs work with faculty mentors to hone their research skills and learn to present their findings. We talked with a few of the presenters.

Topics: Students, Research, Recognition, Signature Events, Student Voices

bold garnet USC letters outside of a gray building with students walking by

US News rankings: Nursing graduate program surges into top 20, business remains top public international MBA in the country

April 06, 2026, Collyn Taylor

The University of South Carolina has numerous graduate programs ranked inside the top 20 nationally, including the College of Nursing and the Darla Moore School of Business's international MBA program.

Topics: Academics, Graduate Studies, Recognition, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Graduate School, College of Information and Communications, Joseph F. Rice School of Law, medicine-columbia, Medicine (Greenville), College of Nursing

group of people together in front of a window with three standing and two sitting

USC has five Goldwater Scholars in 2026

March 27, 2026, Collyn Taylor

Five University of South Carolina students earned the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship in 2026. This sets a record for the most Goldwater Scholars at USC in a single year and marks the 34th consecutive year the university has had at least one Goldwater Scholar.

Topics: Students, Research, Scholarships, Recognition, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

Closeup of rows of golden Oscar-esque statuettes

USC students lead in adopting AI at ADDY Awards

March 04, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen

AI is everywhere — and marketing is no exception. This year marked the first time that the American Advertising Federation incorporated an AI category into its Midlands ADDY Awards, and University of South Carolina students rose to the challenge, showcasing what is possible in dynamic, creative concept and design in collaboration with AI.

Topics: Students, Academics, Recognition, Leadership, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Information and Communications

Entrance sign reading University of South Carolina with palmetto tree logo set against landscaped campus background

Learn how to amplify your expertise by writing for The Conversation

March 03, 2026, Gregory Hardy

University of South Carolina researchers can share their scholarship with national and global audiences through The Conversation, a nonprofit news outlet that pairs scholars with professional editors and syndicates stories worldwide. Learn how to get involved when their representatives visit campus March 25–26.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Initiatives, Recognition, Health Sciences, The Conversation

Thomas Mullikin smiles for the camera in a bowtie.

All the tools: Tom Mullikin's eclectic career leads to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

February 05, 2026, Marketing and Communications

2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award winner Tom Mullikin has enjoyed a long and eclectic career. Now, the longtime environmental lawyer is managing the Palmetto State’s fish, wildlife and natural areas as director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Topics: Alumni, Recognition, SC Impact, Service, Leadership, Careers, Joseph F. Rice School of Law, South Carolina Honors College, Carolinian

Group in formal wear on a red carpet

USC School of Music professor wins 2026 Grammy

February 03, 2026, Marlena Crovatt-Bagwell and Brandon Pugh

Bassoon professor Michael Harley and his new-music ensemble Alarm Will Sound snared top honors in Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for Land of Winter, a collaborative piece that was also nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Harley's nomination and another for fellow professor Mak Grgic were the latest of several Grammy nominations for musicians with USC connections.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Recognition, School of Music

A doctor and nurse review a chart together in a hospital room

Latest U.S. News online rankings show strength, momentum at College of Nursing

January 26, 2026, Dan Cook

The University of South Carolina's College of Nursing continues to be a national leader in online nursing education. Four nursing programs at the University of South Carolina rank in the Top 10 nationally in the latest online rankings from U.S. News & World Report, including its online master's in nursing program, which has been in the Top 5 for six consecutive years.

Topics: University Leadership, Academics, Recognition, Health Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Nursing

man stands outside with trees and a building in the background

Marshall Scholarship finalist Michael Pitre studies the circuitry of the brain -- and plans a future in neurosurgery

December 08, 2025, Page Ivey

South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre likes to get up around 3 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to make the two-hour drive to Folly Beach to surf at the Washout before heading back to Columbia and his 11:40 a.m. class. It’s a regimen that aligns nicely with the Marshall Scholar finalist’s jam-packed schedule that includes earning his BARSC-MD degree in just three years, working as an emergency medical technician, and researching the circuitry of the brain on his way to becoming a neurosurgeon.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Recognition, Health Sciences, Student Voices, medicine-columbia, South Carolina Honors College

Woman in cap and gown waving towel at graduation ceremony

Class of 2025 December graduates

December 03, 2025, Megan Sexton

As the December Class of 2025 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Recognition, Signature Events, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, The Graduate School, College of Nursing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

A group of winners gather together holding their awards.

USC students and alumni win South Carolina InnoVision Awards

November 14, 2025, Laura Erskine

Six finalists with ties to USC were recognized by the 2025 InnoVision Awards, with three winning top honors. The winning businesses are led by students in the South Carolina Honors College, alumni and graduate students from the Molinaroli College of Engineering, and alumni from the Darla Moore School of Business and the Honors College.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Recognition, Economic Engagement, Health Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Darla Moore School of Business, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Graduate School, South Carolina Honors College

woman stands outside with trees in the background

Clinical Practice Teaching Award: Megan Tran

November 12, 2025, Dan Cook

It would be a stretch to say that playing the clarinet led to Megan Tran’s career as a pharmacist — but not much of one. In high school, Tran — now a clinical assistant professor at the College of Pharmacy — played the clarinet and the tenor sax. Playing in the marching band was a big reason the Clover, South Carolina, native came to USC, and she considered a career as a band director. But an aunt encouraged her to keep an open mind about career options, and Tran ended up falling in love with pharmacy.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Recognition, Health Sciences, Careers, College of Pharmacy

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper looking toward video screen displaying logo and photo of students

Department of Sport and Entertainment Management named for David and Nicole Tepper

October 14, 2025, Allen Wallace

USC announces the newly named David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management in honor of its visionary partners. A new $5 million investment extends their longstanding support for high-achieving students and adds funding for elite practitioner-educators.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Partnerships, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Head and shoulders photo of James Bowers

Law school's first full-time African American professor cements his legacy

October 07, 2025, Megan Sexton

James E. Bowers was an undergraduate student at USC in the early days of desegregation and the first full-time African American law school professor. He will cement his legacy with an endowed professorship in his name at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law, the first named for a Black law school professor, and an endowed lectureship series that will share knowledge about democracy and the rule of law.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Graduate Studies, Diversity, History, Recognition, Philanthropy, Leadership, Careers, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Tremayne Ansani sits on the tailgate of an ambulance.

South Carolina Honors College graduate Tremayne Ansani finds his path at USC

October 07, 2025, Megan Sexton

Tremayne Ansani had big plans before he even set foot on campus, but he had one overarching goal: to create and support community. Four years and a double major later, the Honors College graduate sat on the commencement stage as the recipient of the university’s highest student honor, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

Topics: Students, Recognition, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Carolinian

woman stands outside leaning against a building

Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Award: Julie Hubbert

October 03, 2025, Dan Cook

Julie Hubbert, recipient of the Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Award, is particularly adept at teaching in the context of forging one's own path. That’s because her interests have always extended beyond music to include film, film music and the social, cultural and economic contexts in which music and film are created. With this broad outlook as a starting point, she helps students understand the wider context in which they operate and to develop the mindset they’ll need to thrive.

Topics: Faculty, Recognition, School of Music

path and building on the USC Horseshoe

US News: USC retains top rankings in international business, first-year student experience

September 23, 2025, Megan Sexton

USC retained its top ranking in international business and is home to the nation’s top first-year student experience among public institutions, while the College of Nursing BSN degree jumped 17 spots to No. 22 nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings released Sept. 23.

Topics: University Leadership, Undergraduate Admissions, Recognition, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Nursing

Head and shoulders photo of Zachary Winkelmann

Clinical practice teaching award: Zachary Winkelmann

September 12, 2025, Megan Sexton

Zachary Winkelmann, who teaches in the athletic training program in the Arnold School of Public Health, is the 2025 recipient of USC's clinical practice teaching award, which recognizes a faculty member for outstanding clinical teaching, practice, advising and mentoring of health science students.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Graduate Studies, Recognition, Health Sciences, Leadership, Careers, Arnold School of Public Health

A man standing in front of a garden

Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award: Brett Robertson

September 05, 2025, Téa Smith

Associate professor Brett Robertson believes education goes beyond content delivery — it should challenge students to think critically, empower them to engage with real-world problems and inspire tangible impact. And the best way to do that? Appeal to students’ individual interests, abilities and learning styles. He was awarded the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award for his commitment to quality classroom instruction.

Topics: Faculty, Recognition, College of Information and Communications

woman stands outdoors with greenery in the background

Garnet Apple Award: Christina Cox

August 20, 2025, Page Ivey

For Christina Cox, teaching pharmacy isn’t about reciting drug names or memorizing dosage charts. It’s about storytelling, real-world simulations and helping students connect their classroom experience with the clinical decisions they’ll one day make under pressure. For her work in the classroom, Cox has earned a Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation.

Topics: Faculty, Experiential Learning, Recognition, Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy

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