Stories for Faculty and Staff

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.

Scientist examines cylindrical battery

Video: What is inside a battery?

February 17, 2026, Hadley McCollester

Batteries are part of our everyday lives, but not many of us think about how they work or what they are made of. For researchers at the Lab for Materials Properties and Structures, these questions are a full time job. Golareh Jalilvand and her team at USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing are dedicated to testing alternative battery materials such as lithium iron phosphate that will help make batteries a part of the country's sustainable future. This documentary explains why for batteries, it's what's inside that counts.

Teagan Thomas sits on steps near USC's historic horseshoe.

Pathway to first-year success: Teagan Thomas

February 10, 2026, Chris Horn

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 through USC Lancaster but lives in Bates residence hall on the Columbia campus and attends classes exclusively with other Palmetto Pathway students.

Headshot of Samantha Hinton in front of gates

Pathway to first-year success: Samantha Hinton

February 09, 2026, Chris Horn

Samantha Hinton is on track to graduate from USC in May with a bachelor’s degree in advertising. Hinton started out at Carolina in Palmetto Pathway, a bridge program for freshmen. Palmetto Pathway students are enrolled through USC Lancaster but live in a residence hall on the Columbia campus before transitioning to USC Columbia after their first year.

Nursing student with instructor at bedside

Gamecock nurses lead the way in health care delivery

February 09, 2026, Megan Sexton

From faculty members inventing new tools to help students learn the intricacies of treating heart defects in infants to opening up pathways to nursing careers for people with disabilities, the University of South Carolina College of Nursing is stepping up every day.

Two women work together on laptops.

The Carolina Agency: 20 years of student development, community impact

January 14, 2026, Catherine Pruitt

For 20 years, The Carolina Agency has been the student-run public relations and media agency giving College of Information and Communications students real-world experience in a professional setting. In addition to offering students an internship credit and an authentic work experience in a professional setting, The Carolina Agency also prides itself on its service to community clients.

head shots of the five 2026 winners

5 recognized for social justice work

January 13, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen

The University of South Carolina has recognized students, faculty and staff members for their work on campus and in the larger community with 2026 Martin Luther King Social Justice Awards. The awards recognize individuals who have exemplified the philosophies of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. through acts of community service, social justice or racial reconciliation.

Audrey Webb holds a copy of her winning artwork in front of the Cocky statue

Sophomore Audrey Webb wins holiday card contest on second try

December 15, 2025, Thom Harman / photo by Kim Truett

USC Columbia sophomore Audrey Webb won the 2025 holiday card design contest. A computer science major from Fort Mill, South Carolina, Webb's winning design imagines what the Cocky statue on campus would look like if it snowed. Her design is featured on President Michael Amiridis' and First Lady Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis' holiday card, and it earned Webb a $500 gift card.

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.

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.

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.

Man standing in medical research lab

Future physician-scientist selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist

November 11, 2025, Valerie Weingart

South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre has been named a finalist for the 2026 Marshall Scholarships. If selected, he plans to pursue an MPhil in biological sciences to develop novel treatments for Parkinson's disease before returning to USC for medical school.

Landon Pitts looks at a laptop alongside two peers.

Social work initiative expands behavioral health care access in rural South Carolina

November 10, 2025, Carol JG Ward

The University of South Carolina’s Rural Occupations Workforce Expansion (ROWE) program trains MSW students to serve in underserved communities, strengthening South Carolina’s rural behavioral health workforce and improving access to mental health care.

Students walk along brick pathway on campus during fall

First-generation students bring perspective, energy to USC campus

October 31, 2025, Megan Sexton

As the university marks the celebration of First-Gen College Celebration Week, we caught up with first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff who are thriving in the classroom and beyond.

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.

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.

Two college-aged athletes run in competition in an open field in the heat.

Health Watch: 6 Dangerous Heat Stroke Myths That Could Put Your Health at Risk

August 20, 2025, Gregory Hardy

Rising temperatures are making heat stroke a serious risk in South Carolina and beyond, especially during outdoor activities such as youth sports, yardwork, recreation and even work. At USC’s Arnold School of Public Health, associate professor of athletic training Susan Yeargin debunks dangerous myths about treating this life-threatening condition.

three students smiling in class

Interdisciplinary initiative teaches medical students how to use AI productively and safely

July 24, 2025, Chris Horn

The University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine has begun preparing its students to understand AI’s potential — and its shortcomings. The medical school in Columbia partnered last year with the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing to launch the AI in Medicine Extracurricular Track.

woman stands with her right hand raised

Meet student body President Courtney Tkacs

July 23, 2025, Catherine Pruitt

Courtney Tkacs has lived all over the world, the product of growing up in a military family. She moved to Lexington her sophomore year of high school and found her home in South Carolina. Today, Tkacs is working to make her University of South Carolina home a better place by serving as the student body president for the 2025-26 term.

Female nurse leans over exam table to check on male child.

USC expands nursing pathways for people with disabilities

July 22, 2025, Nicole Meares

The University of South Carolina College of Nursing is launching a multi-year, Duke Endowment–backed initiative to expand nursing career pathways for people with disabilities. The program aims to close critical workforce and care gaps through summer immersion experiences, professional development and inclusive training.

Monique Garvin and a colleague talk with the South Carolina State House in the background.

SC Impact: Building stronger communities

May 28, 2025, Communications and marketing

From creating social mobility by supporting first-generation students to providing resources for community members who need them most, the University of South Carolina is dedicated to strengthening our state and improving the lives of its residents. It’s work that goes beyond the college campus and extends into every corner of South Carolina.

Ann Vail, dean of The Graduate School, puts an award around the neck of an award winner at the 2025 Recognition of Excellence Ceremony

Graduate award winners recognized

May 19, 2025, Thom Harman, with Matt Klopfenstein

The Graduate School recently announced and recognized its 2025 Graduate Student Award winners and Trustee Fellowship recipients, as well as the graduates from the school’s scholarly initiatives. The school held its annual Recognition of Excellence Ceremony on April 25 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

woman sitting on a bench

Graduate student inspired by U101 experience to get a master's degree in student affairs

May 14, 2025, Téa Smith

Graduate student Morgan Grace Steele decided to change paths after participating in the South Carolina Washington Semester program — a program that gives students the opportunity to work and take classes in the nation’s capital — through the Honors College her junior year. After reflecting on her experience in the course University 101 and conversations with her professors and loved ones, she decided to pursue a master’s in higher education and student affairs.