Stories for Students

A man wearing a military uniform sits and holds a small boy on his lap, while a girl and boy sit close to him.

Students from military families are often misunderstood in US public schools - a retired military officer and behavioral health expert explains what schools can do

October 13, 2026, Nikki R. Wooten

Students from military families have specific experiences and needs that require support from their schools. Nikki R. Wooten, an associate professor of social work, writes for The Conversation about how some educators may not understand the experiences of military children and the challenges of military life.

A person takes someone's picture in front of the Colosseum in Rome.

Education abroad: Go as you are

October 12, 2026, Laura Erskine

Each year, the Education Abroad Office coordinates thousands of travel experiences for USC students, from short trips to full-term exchange programs. As peer mentors, seniors Kelcie Pollinger and Isaiah Smalls meet with students to answer their questions. Here, Pollinger and Smalls share some of their key insights — and why studying abroad is a can’t-miss opportunity.

Neon pink and purple waves on black background depict how particles at the quantum level behave.

100 years ago, Schrödinger's equation shed light on quantum physics

October 09, 2026, Sophya Garashchuk

Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger developed the wave equation that allowed him to calculate the probability that a particle exhibited a certain property from its wave functions. Even though the human eye can’t parse what’s happening at the quantum scale, the way particles behave influences how you experience the world. Sophya Garashchuk, associate chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, writes for The Conversation about how scientists are leveraging Schrodinger's theory at the quantum level.

Walter Edgar sits in a red chair and holds his book 'South Carolina A History.'

Alumni awards 2026

October 09, 2026, Marketing and Communications

Each year, USC celebrates exemplary alumni and friends with awards bestowed by the Alumni Association. Honorees include Walter Edgar, winner of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, and E. Scott Moïse, winner of the biannual Bethea Volunteer Service Award. All seven award winners reflect the values that define the Gamecock community: service, integrity, character and leadership.

Ada B. Thomas with two other women at a table.

These remarkable women changed USC for the better

September 29, 2026, Rebekah Friedman and Craig Brandhorst

USC has been home to countless highly successful women since the university opened its doors to them in the 1890s. These seven changed the institution from within.

University of South Carolina (USC) students walk past a large USC logo outside a campus building. A graphic reads, “U.S. News Nation’s Best First-Year Experience — Public Universities.”

USC retains top US News rankings for international business, public first-year experience

September 22, 2026, Delaney Freistuhler

The University of South Carolina continues its ranking as one the No. 1 public institution for first-year experience and as one of the best business schools in the nation with a top-ranked international business undergraduate program, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings.

An archival image of housing on the USC Horseshoe.

Inside 225 years of on-campus housing at USC

September 15, 2026, Craig Brandhorst

On-campus living has been a rite of passage at the University of South Carolina since before it was actually a university. But the campus housing experience has changed pretty dramatically since the first nine students arrived at South Carolina College in 1805.

sign reading 'university of south carolina' seen through a patio with trees and tables

USC researchers land major AI-driven grants from Department of Energy

September 09, 2026, Collyn Taylor

Two University of South Carolina faculty were recently awarded significant grants as part of the first wave projects selected for the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission. Designed to bring together a national consortium of researchers and pair them with Department of Energy resources, the Genesis Mission will help build AI-enabled workflows to expedite discoveries in energy, national security and more.

students walking past a university of south carolina sign

USC welcomes new and returning students to Columbia

September 01, 2026, Jeff Stensland

The University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus is welcoming thousands of new college students from across South Carolina, the nation and the world. With an increase of overall enrollment, now approaching 42,000, USC is serving more students today than at other time in its 225-year history.

3 young men point at the camera, getting excited at a football game

A guide to Gamecock game day

August 28, 2026, Hannah Magner

It’s that time of the year again when Gamecocks flock to Williams-Brice Stadium decked out in their garnet and black. Whether it’s your first for your 50th Gamecock game day, we’ve created a guide to ensure you have a great “Saturday in South Carolina.”

Signage of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing under a garnet University of South Carolina sign

2026 nuclear faculty experts list

August 26, 2026, Gregory Hardy

Nuclear energy is drawing renewed attention as the nation considers reliable power, advanced reactors, safety and its energy future. This list connects journalists with faculty experts from the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing who study how nuclear reactors work, how to make them safer and how new technologies are shaping the field’s future.

Icon of how an artificial intelligence brain connects to concepts of technology, transportation, vision, the brain, ideas and health care.

2026 artificial intelligence faculty experts list

August 24, 2026, Gregory Hardy

University of South Carolina researchers explore how artificial intelligence can be used for advancements in health care, education, manufacturing, energy, disaster management and transportation. They are also helping shape and inform the ethics and policies surrounding these emergent solutions.

Amy Gerald smiles while standing outside on the USC Lancaster campus

Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation: Amy Gerald

August 20, 2026, Thom Harman

Amy Gerald, an assistant professor of English at USC Lancaster, uses community-connected projects and experiential learning to prepare her students for whatever career they choose. Whether it’s partnering with local nonprofits to solve real-world business problems or assigning observational writing assignments at USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center, Gerald’s innovative approaches to teaching stand out both in and beyond the classroom.

Chris Rorden smiles for the camera with the MRI machine in the background.

A Sharper Image: At USC, better brain health outcomes begin with cutting-edge neuroimaging equipment

August 10, 2026, Rebekah Friedman

The McCausland Center’s MRI scanner is a 3 Tesla, twice the strength of typical MRIs. Access to equipment of that caliber has enabled the center to bring in tens of millions in grant funding and has led to an explosion in research studies that have advanced our understanding of aphasia, stroke treatment and brain aging.

student in gray shirt pulling gray box of belongings on sidewalk during move-in

What you need to know for move-in 2026

August 05, 2026, Collyn Taylor

Move-in is quickly approaching, and soon the Class of 2030 will be on campus at USC. With a large freshman class coming to Columbia, this is a one-stop shop for the information students, faculty and staff need to know during move-in week.