May 14, 2025, Brandon Pugh
Rising Honors College senior Ella Michel has been awarded a 2025 Udall Undergraduate Scholarship to continue her work at the intersection of energy, environment and community.
May 08, 2025, Thom Harman / photo by Kim Truett
Natasha Brison has practiced law and worked in the entertainment industry, starting a business as a marketing consultant for professional athletes. She also conducts research and came to South Carolina despite already earning tenure at another top institution. Now Brison brings her experience to USC's classrooms as an associate professor in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management's Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. Her diverse background is proving to be a great resource for her students as she prepares them to pursue their dreams after graduation.
May 06, 2025, Valerie Weingart
Senior NROTC midshipman Ryan Lohr realized early that, to grow as a communicator, he couldn’t just talk about the world in his classes — he needed to engage with the world.
May 05, 2025, Page Ivey
Aidan Billings followed his head and his heart when he came to the University of South Carolina. Billings, who also is in the South Carolina Honors College, didn’t think a career as a musician would provide the income he wanted for his life, so he chose engineering for that aspect. But the second violinist in USC’s Symphony Orchestra says he loves playing classical music and does it professionally with several orchestras in the state.
April 30, 2025, Jeff Stensland
The USC system will welcome thousands of new alumni in a series of commencement ceremonies recognizing bachelor’s, master’s and professional degree recipients as well as awarding six honorary degrees.
April 29, 2025, Carol J.G. Ward
Preliminary results from a five-year NIH-funded study at the University of South Carolina show that the Autism Parent Navigator Program improves mental health, parenting confidence and caregiver relationships for families with children diagnosed with autism. Led by social work professor Robert Hock, the program connects parents with experienced peer navigators to offer guidance, emotional support and skill-building.
April 29, 2025, Craig Brandhorst / photos by Kim Truett
New athletics director Jeremiah Donati has only been on campus since January, but his vision for USC has been years in the making.
April 29, 2025, Carol J.G. Ward
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia is opening a free mental health clinic to serve rural communities in Bamberg, Calhoun, Fairfield, Orangeburg and Chester counties. Launching this summer, the student-operated, faculty-supervised clinic will offer in-person and telehealth services to those with limited access to care.
April 29, 2025, Gregory Hardy and Laura Morris
Jennifer Baumstark, a seasoned certified nurse-midwife and newly appointed director of the University of South Carolina’s accredited nurse-midwifery program, is spearheading efforts to improve maternal health across South Carolina. With a focus on mentorship, advocacy and expanding the nursing-midwifery workforce, Baumstark brings over two decades of clinical and academic experience to this pivotal role.
April 28, 2025, Megan Sexton
As the 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.
April 24, 2025, Carol J.G. Ward
University of South Carolina researcher Shaun Owens is using remote monitoring technology to support African American seniors with dementia in rural areas—helping them age in place and bridging the healthcare gap.
April 22, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
The University of South Carolina College of Arts and Sciences has a new name honoring the vision and generosity of a prominent alumnus and his family. The official name, the University of South Carolina McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, was announced on Wednesday (April 23) during a ceremony on USC's Horseshoe.
April 17, 2025
Ridha Fatima, a biochemistry and molecular biology major in the Honors College, says her experiences as a service-minded leader at the University of South Carolina will inform her career as a physician and health care advocate.
April 17, 2025
Tremayne Ansani, an Honors College neuroscience major from Columbia, has dedicated his University of South Carolina career to service and leadership in the classroom, in research and in helping his fellow students and the community at large.
April 17, 2025
Reese Lycan, an Honors College student from Lexington, Kentucky, is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with a goal of becoming a physician. But she also wants to advocate for better health care access, particularly for low-income residents of rural Appalachia.
April 17, 2025, Laura Erskine
USC’s student government has two graduating seniors who have been accepted to Harvard Law School, one of the nation’s top programs. The students credit their time in student government, along with the excellent training they received both in the classroom and beyond, with helping them reach their goals.
April 14, 2025
Reading through descriptions of the 1,000-plus research projects featured annually at Discover USC, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the passion fueling the wide-ranging research projects. From history to public health, USC scholars — including undergraduate and graduate students, medical scholars and postdocs — work with faculty mentors to explore topics that interest them, learn more about research skills and work on how to present their findings to an audience. Here are a few of their stories.
April 09, 2025, Catherine Pruitt
Although it feels far away, the countdown to graduation is on. Spring commencement ceremonies will be held May 8-10 in Colonial Life Arena and other locations around campus. For graduates, we’ve compiled a roundup of what you need to do before then, along with some suggestions for enjoying the rest of your time at the University of South Carolina.
April 07, 2025, Megan Sexton
For the 12th straight year, the University of South Carolina has earned the No. 1 ranking in the country for its International MBA program, according to the 2025 Best Graduate School rankings released April 8 by U.S. News & World Report.
April 04, 2025, Communications and Marketing
April is Autism Acceptance Month. The CDC estimates that one out of every 36 eight-year-olds and one in 45 adults is affected by autism, a lifelong developmental disorder. As South Carolina’s leader in health sciences, USC has researchers across disciplines who specialize in autism.
April 03, 2025, Gregory Hardy
What began as a student project in Ramtin Zand’s course on neuromorphic computing—an area of computer science that designs artificial intelligence systems inspired by the human brain—has rapidly grown into an award-winning research initiative with real-world applications in education and AI.
April 01, 2025, Brandon Pugh
The Koger Center, USC School of Music professor Gail Barnes and USC School of Visual Arts and Design alumnus Wade Sellers have been named winners of the 2025 Governor’s Awards for the Arts by the South Carolina Arts Commission, recognizing exceptional practice or support of contemporary and traditional art forms.
March 28, 2025, Communications and Marketing
Two University of South Carolina students were awarded prestigious Goldwater scholarships Friday. They are: Linden McGregor, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Lexington, Kentucky, and Michael Pitre, a junior BARSC-MD candidate from West Sayville, New York.
March 27, 2025, Alexis Watts and Michaela Taylor
Thanks to the generosity of the USC community, Give 4 Garnet reports a preliminary total of nearly $1.5 million and counting raised from 7,942 donors, showcasing the collective power of giving back.
March 27, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
It’s been a whirlwind semester for dancers and musicians at the University of South Carolina. Twenty-four Joffrey Ballet company members arrived on campus March 17 for a three-week residency culminating in an unprecedented collaborative performance April 5 at the Koger Center for the Arts. Students and faculty from USC’s Betsy Blackmon Dance Program and the USC Symphony Orchestra have joined forces with members of the Joffrey entourage to marry movement and music into a spectacular concert for the community.
March 25, 2025, Hadley McCollester
On April 10, 2025, the great American novel "The Great Gatsby" turns 100 years old. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibit “'Something significant, elemental and profound’: Celebrating 100 Years of The Great Gatsby” at the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library.
March 24, 2025, Gregory Hardy
Midwives care for women throughout their lifetime and play a critical role in maternal health. The College of Nursing is launching the state’s only accredited nurse-midwifery education program to address South Carolina’s maternal health needs, particularly in rural communities.
March 24, 2025, Curisa Tucker
A recent study by Curisa Tucker reveals that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods significantly increases the risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy, particularly for Black mothers, emphasizing the role of social and environmental factors in maternal health.
March 18, 2025, Megan Sexton
For USC alumna Caroline Fermin, the decision to join the Marines at a time when only 2 percent of the officer corps were women led to a successful 25 years in the military with high-level global postings and numerous medals for meritorious service. She followed her military service with a thriving second career in public service, now as the director of Veterans Affairs for Beaufort County.
March 18, 2025, Alexis Watts
Geology students turn to Give 4 Garnet — the university's annual day of giving — to help fund their essential field camp experience.
March 11, 2025, Alexis Watts
First-generation, low-income students frequently face the difficult choice between earning a paycheck and advancing their careers. The University of South Carolina Press Internship Program is changing this narrative through a paid stipend initiative so that no student misses out on a valuable internship experience because of financial constraints.
March 07, 2025, Laura Erskine
A primary care doctor is a key player in patient care, but South Carolina is facing a doctor shortage. That’s why both USC’s School of Medicine Columbia and School of Medicine Greenville are prioritizing primary care, with an emphasis on family medicine, thanks to their deans, Dr. Gerald Harmon (Columbia) and Dr. Phyllis MacGilvray (Greenville).
March 06, 2025, Jeff Stensland
USC set a record this year with more than 60,000 prospective students applying for fall 2025 admissions.
March 06, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
Dance students in the University of South Carolina’s Betsy Blackmon Dance Program are spending extra time at the barre in anticipation of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they will have collaborating with the world-famous Joffrey Ballet. The company begins a three-week residency at USC on March 17 that will culminate with an unprecedented Koger Center performance on April 5.
March 05, 2025, Catherine Pruitt
Allan Cabanayan was a leader among students interested in health occupations even before he got into upper-level nursing classes at the University of South Carolina. Growing up just down the road from USC in Hopkins, South Carolina, Cabanayan discovered his passion for nursing while attending Lower Richland High School, where he joined his school’s HOSA-Future Health Professionals chapter.
March 03, 2025, Téa Smith
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities for their children. USC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all ages and all interests from music to soccer, dance and engineering.
February 28, 2025, Rutvik Desai
While the quality of AI systems' output sometimes rivals work done by humans, they are also prone to confidently churning out factually incorrect information. Skeptics have also called into question their ability to reason.
February 26, 2025, Carol J.G. Ward
Renee Shaw’s journey is a testament to courage and perseverance. Now a social worker, she draws from her own experiences with homelessness and hardship to uplift others and to make a meaningful impact in her community.
February 25, 2025, Chris Horn
Half a million Americans are diagnosed annually with dementia, so finding ways to prevent its onset is a focus of public health researchers, including a University of South Carolina professor who is testing simple techniques for older adults.
February 21, 2025, Gregory Hardy
The University of South Carolina broke ground on a facility that will redefine the future of health care education and research during a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the site of its new School of Medicine Columbia. This cutting-edge, 300,000-square-foot-plus medical education and research facility will be part of USC’s transformative $300 million Health Sciences Campus, amid 16 acres in Columbia’s reimagined BullStreet District.
February 18, 2025, Gregory Hardy
Oral health isn’t just about your smile—it could help protect your heart, too. A new study finds an unexpected heart health habit can be that regular flossing reduces stroke risk. Dr. Souvik Sen explains why you shouldn't skip out on flossing in the name of heart health.
February 18, 2025, Thom Harman / photo by Kim Truett
Paulia D. Williams won the 2024 Dennis A. Pruitt Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students Award, the fourth TRIO staff member to win the award since its inception. Williams knows that most students need some help transitioning to college, especially first-generation college students. She sees it every day in her role with TRIO Programs — and she lived it herself.
February 11, 2025, Allen Wallace
Dance Marathon, the university’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, brings together students from across USC to raise money and awareness for patients and families at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. The Main Event is Feb. 22.
February 06, 2025, Andy Shain
On Feb. 11, University of South Carolina alumni and advocates will gather at the S.C. State House for Carolina Day to demonstrate how the state flagship university is building momentum in producing a more prosperous and healthier South Carolina.
January 29, 2025, Gregory Hardy
February is American Heart Month. The University of South Carolina is home to many faculty members who are available to offer their expertise in cardio care and research.
January 29, 2025, Faith Militello
Marcia Iszard, a certified registered nurse anesthetist for 15 years and current president of the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists, is passionate about advancing the nurse anesthesia profession. As a clinical assistant professor at the School of Medicine Columbia, she combines her leadership experience and commitment to education to shape the next generation of CRNAs while advocating for improved healthcare access across South Carolina.
January 21, 2025, Megan Sexton
For the fifth straight year, USC's College of Nursing is ranked No. 1 in the country for its online master’s in nursing program, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual online program rankings released Tuesday (Jan. 21).
January 16, 2025, Megan Sexton
University of South Carolina alumnus and Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corporal (retired) Kyle Carpenter will be recognized during Monday’s national championship college football game.
January 15, 2025, Anna Francis
Natasha Hastings came to the University of South Carolina with dreams of excelling as an athlete. Although her talent eventually would propel her to an NCAA championship, multiple world championships and two Olympic gold medals, her initial start on the Gamecock track and field team was less than stellar. Her body was sound, but she had psychological demons to slay.
January 15, 2025, Chris Horn
Drawing from an enormous collection of genetic material, a University of South Carolina chemistry professor is on a mission to find novel bioactive agents with potential antibiotic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammation applications.