Stories for Students

A juvenile blue catfish aligned with a ruler placed on a wooden surface

Baruch scientists study food impacts of juvenile blue catfish on native species in Winyah Bay estuary

March 06, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen

Scientists at USC’s Baruch Institute are studying the semi-invasive juvenile blue catfish, normally a freshwater animal, that has appeared in estuarine habitats of the Winyah Bay. The researchers are trying to determine whether the interloper’s diet is interfering with the food supply of native estuarine species.

Topics: Research, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

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

A sepia-toned Michelangelo drawing of a bust

Michelangelo hated painting the Sistine Chapel

February 23, 2026, Anna Swartwood House

The sale of a small red chalk drawing of a woman’s foot by Michelangelo, which sold at auction for $27.2 million, excited art historians — not because of the money it fetched but because of the attention it has brought to Michelangelo’s lifelong devotion to drawing, a medium he prized over painting. Anna Swartwood House, an associate professor of art history at USC, writes for The Conversation about the significance of the recent sale.

Topics: Academics, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

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.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Research, Experiential Learning, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Breakthrough Research

A young girl outside laughing at a joke

Is teasing playful or harmful?

February 16, 2026, Molly Dawes

Teasing is a common but complex behavior that can serve pro-social functions, but it can also have anti-social functions and harm the targeted person. Teasing interactions are influenced by factors such as the relationship between teaser and target and the content of the tease. Molly Dawes, associate professor in the Department of Educational and Developmental Science at USC, writes for The Conversation about the complexities of teasing.

Topics: Research, College of Education, The Conversation

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.

Topics: Students, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, SC Impact, Student Voices, University System

A hand dabs a brush into a palette of paint.

USC Brain Health launches student-driven arts program

February 09, 2026, Nicole Carrico

Students Ansley Martin and Stella Tew have been working with USC Brain Health to launch a program called Vibrant Minds, an expressive arts initiative that combines neuroscience, creativity and social interaction to support older adults living with neurological conditions. The program helps adults facing cognitive challenges connect with their memories and each other through art and creative projects.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Health Sciences, Service, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

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.

Topics: Students, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, SC Impact, University System

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

Sophia Comose stands next to a decorated classroom door that reads,

Teacher balanced full-time work, online courses through USC's Palmetto College

February 04, 2026, Chris Horn

Sophia Comose always dreamed of becoming a teacher. While she wasn’t sure if the on-campus college experience was right for her, she loved the idea of working full time while earning an education degree online from Palmetto College. The flexible program allowed Comose to gain hands-on experience in her field, and she landed a teaching position after graduating in 2025.

Topics: Alumni, Initiatives, SC Impact, Careers, College of Education

Residential street after an ice storm, with tree branches coated in ice and sagging over the road while ice-covered power lines stretch between utility poles in bright winter sunlight.

Data centers told to pitch in as storms and cold weather boost power demand

February 04, 2026, Conor Harrison

The government directed data centers to turn on backup generation in parts of the U.S. Conor Harrison, an associate professor of geography in the School of Earth, Ocean and Environment, co-authors this story for The Conversation on how expanding distributed generation could improve grid resilience.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

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

Connor Shaw, his wife and their four children are all smiles, posing together at a rec field

Gamecock legend Connor Shaw starts a nonprofit after a close call

January 29, 2026, Thom Harman / photos by Kim Truett

While coaching his son’s flag football team last fall, former USC quarterback Connor Shaw went into sudden cardiac arrest. Quick thinking, the presence of first responders and an automated external defibrillator saved his life. Now fully recovered, Shaw has started a nonprofit to increase CPR training and bring AEDs to athletic fields statewide, and beyond.

Topics: Alumni, Carolinian

Fabio Matta smiles for the camera as he holds his next-generation building materials

Engineering researchers are studying next-generation materials to improve SC infrastructure

January 22, 2026, Rebekah Friedman

Fabio Matta’s next-generation building materials include fiber-reinforced plastic bars — essentially, glass fibers immersed in a strong polymeric resin. They are stronger than steel, don’t corrode and are lighter than traditional materials — all qualities that make them ideal for bridge and infrastructure rehabilitation.

Topics: Faculty, Research, SC Impact, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Careers, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Carolinian, Breakthrough Research

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.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Leadership, College of Information and Communications

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.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University Leadership, Diversity, Service, Leadership, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Social Work

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.

Topics: Students, University President, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

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