McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

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USC geography chair earns national honor

Many people around the world owe their knowledge of geography, in part, to Jerry Mitchell. For decades, the University of South Carolina geography professor has led and supported efforts to unearth and share the best ways for teaching students about maps, migration, natural resources, energy, weather, climate and more. More than 40,000 teachers in South Carolina received support through his programs, and his international collaborations have reached even more.

2026 Class of McCausland Fellows Announced

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences announces the 2026 Class of McCausland Faculty Fellows, recognizing six outstanding early-career faculty for excellence in teaching, research and student mentorship at the University of South Carolina.

Biochemistry student builds homes and better antibiotic treatments

Biochemistry junior Ria Kothari combines lab research and service work to make a tangible impact, from designing new antimicrobial compounds to leading USC's Habitat for Humanity chapter.

National biochemistry society honors USC chemist

University of South Carolina chemistry professor Caryn Outten has been named a 2026 fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for her groundbreaking research on fungal infections and iron metabolism, as well as her excellence in teaching and mentoring at the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.

USC leads the nation in fragile X research and education

A new grant from the National Institutes of Health will help USC faculty study fragile X-associated health conditions, which may affect thousands of people in South Carolina, and identify new ways to diagnose and treat the conditions.

Sophomore Audrey Webb wins holiday card contest on second try

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.

New psychology professor decodes the brain

Assistant professor Feilong Ma joined USC's Department of Psychology with a research mission to understand how individual brains shape who we are and to advance tools that may transform neuroscience and clinical care.

USC team identifies new class of disinfection byproducts in water treatment systems

An environmental chemistry research lab at USC at the forefront of efforts to find and identify disinfection byproducts in U.S. water treatment systems has discovered a new, highly toxic class of byproducts.

Serving the scientific community

USC chemistry professor Linda Shimizu has a long list of accomplishments, including recently being named a fellow of the American Chemical Society, one of only 36 chemistry professors worldwide to receive the honor in 2025 for scientific and professional accomplishments.

A chemistry professor's quest to make perfectly homogeneous nanocrystals

Millions of times smaller than a grain of salt, nanocrystals have become extraordinarily useful in electronics, drug delivery, biological imaging and beyond.

2025: Year in review

Heading into 2025, the field of higher education faced significant challenges. But at the University of South Carolina, all signs point to dynamic growth and institutional strength.

How an Honors College student's thesis became a children's book

Paige Canady planned to write a straightforward honors thesis, the kind that might get read once or twice, then put on a shelf. But after collaborating with an art education student, the project became a cleverly illustrated children’s book, one that Canady hopes will be read by families everywhere.

Class of 2025 December graduates

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.

USC researchers seek to improve K-12 mental health with new center

USC has launched the new Center for School Behavioral Health to strengthen K-12 mental health across South Carolina. The interdisciplinary effort will expand research, support school personnel and help improve outcomes for students and families.

When darkness shines: How dark stars could illuminate the early universe

Scientists working with the James Webb Space Telescope discovered three unusual astronomical objects in early 2025, which may be examples of dark stars. Alexey Petrov, a USC endowed chair in physics, writes for The Conversation on how this could alter scientists’ understanding of how ordinary stars form.

Sociology, WGST student discovers career path though service internship

Through a community service internship with Columbia's Harriet Hancock Center, sociology and women's and gender studies student Julia Smith discovered her passion for advocacy and turned classroom lessons into a career dedicated to strengthening her community.

Rhodes scholar finalist plans a career in maternal health care

USC Honors College student and public health major Hannah Brennen, who was a Rhodes scholar finalist, plans to attend medical school to pursue her interest in maternal health.

Student historian maps out a new direction to a career in student affairs

Senior Gracie Bellah started at USC with her plans mapped out. A history and anthropology double major in the Honors College, she dove into historical research and became a leader in student organizations. Her experience helping other students as a McCausland College ambassador helped her decide to take her career plans in a new direction.

Future physician-scientist selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist

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.

First-generation students bring perspective, energy to USC campus

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.

Brett Sherman: Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award Winner

Associate professor Brett Sherman fell in love with philosophy as a teenager, before he even understood what he was reading. Now, the 2025 Mungo J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award winner inspires a similar curiosity in his students at the University of

Across arts and sciences, McCausland faculty tackle challenges from empathy to ecology

Researchers in the McCausland College are tackling global challenges -- from waterborne disease affecting 400 million people to children's emotional development through art -- with support from funding secured by the McCausland Grants Operations team.

USC team conducting research on endangered North Atlantic right whales

There are only about 384 North Atlantic right whales remaining on Earth. That’s fewer than the number of students living in the Capstone dorm. The latest count is cause for alarm, and the whales’ leading killers are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes.

First-generation student finds connections on campus

As a first-generation college student and an Asian American, Sarah Tra worried about whether she would be able to find community and connect to her culture on campus. But joining organizations like the Vietnamese Student Association and the Asian and Pacific Islander Activism Association has given her the opportunity to connect with her community through fundraisers, rallies and events that showcase culture through food, music and dance.

Parris Island archaeological project spans 40 years

USC professor Chester DePratter has been sorting through archaeological evidence gathered over nearly four decades of investigation at the 16th century Spanish settlement of Santa Elena on present-day Parris Island. Here's what he and his team found.

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