Chemistry, computer science senior dreams of changing the world
July 08, 2025, Téa Smith
Chemistry and computer science senior Christian Ruff talks about how his experiences at the University of South Carolina have helped shape him.
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Thinking about Thinking
May 30, 2025, Téa Smith
Alamir Novin, assistant professor in the College of Information and Communications, recently conducted a volunteer-based study on user interaction with AI systems and how user bias evolves. Among the 200 participants, he found evidence of four basic types of cognitive bias: priming, anchoring, framing and availability.
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.
USC football player combines engineering, business off the field
April 25, 2025, Téa Smith
Gamecock football player William Joyce was one of the first students selected to participate in the 4+1 pathway partnership between the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing and the Darla Moore School of Business. The program prioritizes engineering and computing graduates for direct admissions into the Moore School's one-year Master of Business Administration or the Master of Science in Business Analytics programs.
Cool Classes Fall 2025
April 11, 2025, Téa Smith
We're back again for another year and another round of some of the coolest classes you can take for fall 2025. There are a ton of unique learning experiences waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re into sports, true crime, dancing, cooking or even something a little otherworldly, South Carolina has you covered.
Neuroscience major wants to focus on brain health in rural areas
April 09, 2025, Téa Smith
After noticing his grandmother’s lack of access to adequate health care in rural India, senior Pranav Malladi decided to focus on health care in rural areas.
USC youth summer camps 2025
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.
First-generation student finds connections on campus
January 13, 2025, Téa Smith
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.
Biochemistry senior connects with community through service organizations
November 25, 2024, Téa Smith
Ridha Fatima, a biochemistry senior, joined the Network of Opportunities Toward Elderly Service her freshman year after seeing how hard isolation during the pandemic had been for many people, particularly her grandparents. During their twice-monthly visits to local nursing homes, students connect with the residents while participating in activities such as arts and crafts, gardening and talent shows.
Michael J. Mungo undergraduate teaching award winner: Jeanne Britton
October 21, 2024, Téa Smith
Jeanne Britton, a curator in the Department of Rare Books and Special collections, is the winner of the university’s Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses Award winner: Cindy J. Lahar
October 21, 2024, Téa Smith
Cindy J. Lahar, a professor of psychology and the program coordinator for psychology at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, is this year’s Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses award winner.
Global studies major finds her passion abroad
October 07, 2024, Téa Smith
Before going abroad to Italy, senior global studies major Ella Tocci wasn’t sure what her future post-grad would look like. Her eye-opening experience studying abroad helped her realize she wants to help college students get a similar experience as a study abroad coordinator.
University ambassadors share love of USC with prospective students
September 16, 2024, Téa Smith
University ambassadors are often the first faces potential students see when they visit campus. The program provides prospective students a glimpse of student life through tours and ambassadors sharing anecdotes about their experiences as Gamecocks. Carlee Downs and Brianna Hughey are two of those ambassadors who have been sharing their passion for USC with visitors during their time at the university.
Pillars for Carolina helps prepare incoming freshmen for college
August 20, 2024, Téa Smith
Pillars for Carolina is a four-day student-led leadership and service program designed to help incoming students learn and explore the University of South Carolina and the Columbia community. Student co-directors Evey Konstantopoulos and Jackson Hensley share their experiences participating in the program the summer before starting college.
Alumna rises from intern to lead cybersecurity role at NASA
June 26, 2024, Téa Smith
Tamiko Fletcher, computer engineering ’02, didn’t know when she started interning at NASA in 1999 that she’d still be there nearly 25 years later. Now, she's the chief information security officer at John F. Kennedy Space Center and works to to minimize cybersecurity threats to NASA’s ground systems.
Biology major's research experiences inspire her to help others
April 10, 2024, Téa Smith
When Vrutti Patel transferred to the University of South Carolina, she wanted to expand her horizons and get out of her comfort zone. In pursuit of her goal, the fourth-year biological sciences major has participated in undergraduate research and gotten involved with the on-campus organization the Alliance for Women in STEM.
Mechanical engineering student wants to find practical solutions to real world problems
March 04, 2024, Téa Smith
Alex Alpert, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major, turned his childhood curiosity for how machines function into a passion for building machines to solve real world issues.
Music alumna Nicole Neely finds her place on the stage
February 28, 2024, Téa Smith
Nicole Neely, music education ’05, turned her passion for music into a successful career in the music industry working with some of the biggest names in music — like Ms. Lauryn Hill, with whom she recently toured.
Education alumnus has big impact in Greenville County schools
February 20, 2024, Téa Smith
Edward Anderson’s lifelong love for education lead him to working within the school system, but now he works to improve the school system from the outside as the executive director of OnTrack Greenville at United Way of Greenville County.
On-site social workers at Richland Library provide access without judgment
February 05, 2024, Téa Smith
When Lee Patterson earned her master’s in social work in 2012, she never imagined putting it to use at Richland Library — or any library. Ten years later, she is doing exactly that.
HRSM student wants to make fashion more sustainable
January 08, 2024, Téa Smith
Sophia Dudley, a fourth-year fashion merchandising and digital innovations major at USC, has spent her time at the University of South Carolina balancing her responsibilities as a student and owner of SuperThrifty, a multichannel thrift store. SuperThrifty grew from a hobby sparked by her interest in sustainability to a thriving business that has informed what she wants to do in the future.
Business student reflects on experience with SC Internship Program
December 05, 2023, Téa Smith
Poorva Dalvi, a third-year student in the Darla Moore School of Business, walks us through her experience with the South Carolina Internship Program while she reflects on his journey at the university.
Biology major reflects on his experience with the SC Internship Program
November 29, 2023, Téa Smith
Keynan Kennedy, a fourth-year biological student in the College of Arts and Science, walks us through his experience with the South Carolina Internship Program while he reflects on his journey at the university.
Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses winner Ellen Malphrus
November 06, 2023, Téa Smith
Professor of English Ellen Malphrus empowers her students to believe in themselves and their writing. To accomplish that, creating an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts while giving them necessary technical knowledge and exposing them to different writing styles is vital. For her efforts, Malphrus has received a 2023 Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses Teaching Award.
Afro Latina alumna works to expand representation of Caribbean culture in theater
October 06, 2023, Téa Smith
Gabriela Castillo doesn’t often see herself represented onstage or onscreen. But in her career as professional actor, she hopes that she’ll be able to help shift the portrayal of Caribbean and Afro Latino cultures to be more accurate and diverse.
Michael J. Mungo Award winner April Hiscox
October 06, 2023, Téa Smith
Geography professor April Hiscox wants her students to really understand the material she is teaching, so she encourages them to show what they’ve learned in very creative ways, like making a quilt, creating a board game or even singing a song. For her inventive teaching practices, Hiscox has received a 2023 Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Student body president aims for change
July 14, 2023, Téa Smith
Student body president Emmie Thompson and her running mate ran on a platform of small, tangible changes. Thompson hopes the small changes she makes on campus can make a huge impact in students' lives.
Grant supports innovative teaching methods across different disciplines
June 15, 2023, Téa Smith
The Center for Teaching Excellence’s Innovative Pedagogy Grant supports innovative teaching methods across different disciplines. The goal is to invest in the improvement of courses taught by faculty members who provide students with exemplary, highly engaging learning experiences, offered in an online, blended or traditional format.
Study explores the gendered dynamics of inspirational labor in sport
May 24, 2023, Téa Smith
Tarlan Chahardovali, an assistant professor in the University of South Carolina’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, and Christopher McLeod, an assistant professor at the University of Florida, have developed the concept of inspirational labor as part of a study exploring the extra work that professional female athletes do for the future of their sports.
Health challenge drives education major to help others
May 12, 2023, Téa Smith
Tori Edsel’s dreams of being a dancer came to an abrupt halt when she suffered a stroke at 16. The third-year early childhood education major’s experiences during her recovery helped change her outlook and gave her a new dream: helping children in similar situations.
Alumna provides social work services at local library
April 19, 2023, Téa Smith
When Lee Patterson earned her master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina in 2012, she never imagined putting it to use at Richland Library — or any library. But 10 years later, she is doing exactly what she set out to do when she entered the field: help people.
Exercise is Medicine Greenville (EIMG) provides model for health care providers
April 18, 2023, Téa Smith
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville has been awarded a $400,000 grant by The Duke Endowment to evaluate the implementation of Exercise is Medicine Greenville (EIMG), a physical health promotion model for health care providers. Exercise is Medicine Greenville is a patient-referral program through which highly qualified professionals work to improve the health and well-being of the community through physical activity, lifestyle changes and education.
First-year marketing major Jala Lewis crafts signature hairstyles players wear on the court
March 28, 2023, Téa Smith
First-year marketing major Jala Lewis helps key players on the women’s basketball team craft the signature hairstyles they wear on the court.
Amit Sheth: Artificial intelligence, real growth
March 08, 2023, Téa Smith
Since its inception, the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Carolina has fostered multiple partnerships to infuse artificial intelligence expertise into the framework of research at USC. Founding director Amit Sheth and the five new faculty he helped recruit have secured funding for a growing team of over 40 researchers.
Interim BSW program coordinator Bree Alexander returns to USC to train the next generation of social workers
February 14, 2023, Téa Smith
New interim bachelor of social work program coordinator Bree Alexander is eager to give students more opportunities to pursue their research interests — on their own or working with a faulty member.
Artificial Intelligence, real application
December 09, 2022, Téa Smith
On his way to earning his Ph.D. in computer science, Manas Gaur has worked to integrate more "human knowledge" into artificial intelligence. His work has applications in a wide range of fields from mental health care to autonomous driving.
Prohibition-era beer laws persist to the present
December 02, 2022, Téa Smith
Craft beer is big business but that doesn’t necessarily mean business is booming.In fact, for many of the nation’s smaller brewing operations, competing with established large-scale “macrobreweries” is a David and Goliath story — and the laws are stacked in Goliath’s favor. But Scott Taylor Jr.. and his colleagues at the Wine and Beverage Institute at USC School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management are working on the first of three papers exploring the negative impact of Prohibition-era laws on competition within the alcoholic beverage industry.
College of Nursing grant will increase family nurse practitioner workforce in rural, underserved areas
November 10, 2022, Téa Smith
Scholarship recipient and graduate student Kayla Lee has seen firsthand the effect lack of access to quality health care can have on a community. She is happy to be furthering her career in nursing and helping to create accessible quality health care throughout the state.
One size / color does not fit all
September 12, 2022, Téa Smith
The College of Nursing is slowly but surely taking steps toward making nursing education diverse.
New book puts children in driver's seat for navigating information highway
September 13, 2021, Téa Smith
Children have the internet at their fingertips with phones and tablet, but the ability to discern what’s fact and what’s fiction hasn’t kept pace with advances in technology and accessibility. Faculty and staff in the College of Information and Communications are working to bridge that knowledge gap with a children’s book about news literacy.