Recent Stories

Rural pharmacists helps patient.

2024 rural health faculty experts

October 31, 2024, Laura Morris

More than a quarter of South Carolina residents live in rural areas and must overcome greater health care challenges than their urban counterparts. USC faculty members are available to offer their expertise in rural health services and research. To coordinate an interview, contact the staff member listed with each expert entry.

College of Social Work professor Stephanie Hunter stands across from the South Carolina Supreme Court building.

Advocacy and reflection have a force in the legal system

October 25, 2024, Gregory Hardy

Forensic social work is a specific discipline that examines how social workers intersect and interact with the legal system under domains both criminal and civil. Stephanie Hunter has 22 years of experience in the field, specifically working in criminal indigent defense. Now an assistant clinical professor at USC’s College of Social Work, she finds that both students and professionals often require an explanation about the field.

Female social worker holds hands of elderly male.

Arrest diversion program offers nonviolent offenders resources and a second chance

October 17, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward

LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Deflection), a partnership between the West Columbia Police Department and the S.C. Department of Mental Health, is a community-based alternative to prosecution. Developed and staffed by two College of Social Work alumni, the program offers deflection and resources to people accused of nonviolent low-level offenses whose behavior stems from substance use, mental health challenges or poverty.

A girl standing in the of a group of people cheering.

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.

three students stand in a radio station booth

From the classroom to the field, USC students carve their own Carolina paths

August 01, 2024

For a lot of University of South Carolina students, the realization that this is a special place comes quickly. One walk around the Horseshoe, one time cheering in the stands at Williams-Brice Stadium, and that’s all it takes. But those signature experiences are only a tiny part of what it means to be a Gamecock. Life-altering experiences can be found all over campus and beyond.

Four female College of Social Work students pose in front of a display at the Advancing Health Equity in South Carolina summit.

Bringing the community into the classroom for social work success

June 13, 2024, Gregory Hardy

College of Social Work professor Ann Gowdy sees it as her goal to equip her students with the knowledge that people with lived experience should be invited to the table to talk about housing issues and solutions. One of the most effective ways she’s found to demonstrate to graduate students the need for rural social work is by hosting guest speakers from community organizations who can further their understanding by making deeper connections.

Satellite image of an Atlantic hurricane

2024 hurricane faculty experts list

May 01, 2024, Laura Morris

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1. Researchers at the University of South Carolina are available to discuss multiple aspects of the 2024 hurricane season, including preparation and communication, environmental impact and historical perspectives.

Group of students in graduation cap and gowns posing for a photo.

Class of 2024

April 25, 2024, Megan Sexton

As the Class of 2024 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.

Adult male helps girl with book.

Strategies for Parents, Part I: Teaching problem solving to children

January 05, 2024, Gregory Hardy

It’s inevitable that children of all ages will struggle with the social and academic expectations of their years in school. Parents can easily feel overwhelmed with providing answers, especially as children continue to struggle with stress and anxiety from the disruptions of pandemic shutdowns. Cheri Shapiro, a research professor in the University of South Carolina’s College of Social Work and the director of USC’s Institute for Families in Society, focuses her research on prevention of social, emotional and behavioral problems in youth and implementation of evidence-based interventions in community settings.

Close up of American flag. Stars in left corner and stripes on right side.

Alumna builds on social work foundation to increase diversity in government

December 14, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward

Melissa Watson Ward grew up in a low-resource community in Columbia, South Carolina and has dedicated her career to helping people from communities like hers. When a career opportunity emerged to make a real impact on clients’ lives, she took it. Now she's training women and non-binary individuals to run at all levels of government from local to federal.

Two female students sit in a classroom with large windows.

Social worker's research offers insight into experiences of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program recipients

October 10, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward

Social Work professor Ben Roth is co-authoring a book about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. About 500 individuals in six states, including South Carolina, participated in interviews for the research. Roth’s team found that young people who received DACA benefited in important ways but also faced constant signals that make them feel like they don’t belong.

A man and a woman sit in a library, reading a magazine and newspaper.

Age Ready series teaches life skills to promote independence for older adults

July 18, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward

As Baby Boomers age, the number of older adult households is rapidly growing. Many of those planning for their retirement years are deciding there’s no place like home. Researchers from the College of Social Work teamed up with Richland Library to teach life skills that promote independence and allow individuals to age in a familiar space and environment, reducing long-term care costs and maintaining established routines.

Students in black Pillars for Carolina T-shirts cheer during a field game

First-year Gamecocks find their new home through Pillars for Carolina

May 24, 2022, Carol J.G. Ward

Katie Slick and Cody Markow, student co-directors of Pillars for Carolina, say the program builds community and confidence among incoming first-year Gamecocks. The student-led program offers extended orientation sessions focused on leadership, self-discovery, service and engagement on campus.

Breanne Grace stands in front of Maxcy College.

Building a community of learning in the International House at Maxcy College

September 23, 2021, Abe Danaher

There’s no denying that college is a time of great change. For the students living on-campus in the International House at Maxcy College, the change is especially pronounced: Not only are they adapting to college, they’re also adapting to living with people from different cultures throughout the world. Breanne Grace, new faculty principal at Maxcy College, hopes to provide a supportive community that will promote learning and expand students’ perspectives as they settle in.

Jaeseung Kim in a suit and tie

COVID-19 Impact: Gender disparities in pandemic's effect

April 14, 2021, Page Ivey

Jaeseung Kim, assistant professor in the College of Social Work since 2018, studies work and caregiving challenges for low-income parents and how work-family policies, both private and public, can help address such challenges. We asked Kim about how the pandemic has affected men and women differently and how to help those suffering the effects.

Maxcy Monument on the Historic Horseshoe with sunlight streaming through the trees.
Candace Terry

Veterans bring strong work ethic, new perspectives to UofSC community

October 28, 2020, Megan Sexton

Military-affiliated students play an important role at the University of South Carolina. Veterans and active duty Gamecocks excel in the classroom and beyond, including alumni like Candace Terry who earned her Master of Social Work degree in May and now is the director of governmental affairs for the S.C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

AI Institute

Intelligence, all over campus

March 05, 2020, Megan Sexton

While artificial intelligence research and programs are growing around the country, the University of South Carolina’s AI Institute is among the first in the Southeast to include diverse colleges and departments.

John Doering-White

Meet new faculty: John Doering-White

November 04, 2019, Craig Brandhorst

John Doering-White became interested in immigration issues as an undergraduate and followed his research interests to Mexico as a graduate student. Now an associate professor at the University of South Carolina with a joint appointment in social work and anthropology, he hopes his research will contribute to the development of a more humane immigration system in the both the United States and Mexico.

Immigrant school children

Social workers play key role in immigrant students' success

June 18, 2019, Chris Horn

About one-quarter of children in the U.S. under the age of 18 are immigrants or the children of immigrants, a status that often translates into educational disadvantages. A College of Social Work faculty member is involved in surveying school social workers nationwide to learn what they are doing to help those children navigate successfully through their public school experiences.

artificial intellingence illustration

Turning big data into smart data

May 29, 2019, Chris Horn

A new Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of South Carolina will launch this summer, building on and harnessing the collective efforts of dozens of faculty members who already are advancing AI research initiatives in diverse academic disciplines.

yearly planner with a pen
Project Hope

Cause for hope

April 03, 2019, Chris Horn

When Wendy Rothermel’s son Cade was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, her family life was upside down, punctuated by his frequent temper tantrums. But when the family connected with Project HOPE and Cade’s therapy began, positive changes followed. The nonprofit foundation, launched by two university alumnae, is bringing hope to families across the state.

global footprint map

Global footprint

March 04, 2019, Craig Brandhorst

The University of South Carolina has been a global player for a long time. But since 2011, when the Focus Carolina strategic plan was announced, the university has significantly increased its internationalization efforts, transforming a healthy overseas presence into a clearly defined global footprint.

Miracle Kid Ellington Hewitt at Dance Marathon 2018

For the Kids

February 28, 2019, Allen Wallace

A year ago, University of South Carolina Dance Marathon made history, raising more than a million dollars for the kids at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital (then known as Palmetto Health). Just days after that success, they began working to do it again. That yearlong effort concludes Saturday with the student organization’s annual Main Event.

Galen Health Fellows

Galen Fellows

March 19, 2018, Megan Sexton

The first class of Galen Health Fellows arrived on campus in August, a group of more than 450 first-year students with dreams of careers in the health sciences.

President Harris Pastides, Dean Haemoon Oh, Huong Nguyen and Kendall Roth in Vietnam

Carolina changes the world

March 07, 2018, John Brunelli

The University of South Carolina is expanding its global reach in Southeast Asia. President Harris Pastides recently signed partnerships with three universities in Vietnam, which will allow for collaboration in teaching, research and service. Now, the Office of Study Abroad is sending a delegation of faculty and staff to the country over spring break to explore other opportunities for Carolina students.

joseph parks

Medical researchers work together to improve South Carolina's health

February 08, 2018, John Brunelli

National Council for Behavior Health medical director Joseph Parks will be the keynote speaker at the Integrated Behavioral Health Symposium spearheaded by the College of Social Work. The symposium will be held Monday (Feb. 12) at the Alumni Center.

Year end review

Twenty-Sixteen: By the Letters

December 15, 2016, USC Times

A is for alphabet, at least according to USC Times. To help close out 2016, the University of South Carolina’s monthly magazine for faculty and staff devoted its entire December issue to the ABCs of 2016 — with each letter representing a different accomplishment, announcement or notable arrival from the past year.

From left, Carolyn Morris, Christopher Church, Kristen Seay, Cynthia Flinn

Saving Elyse

June 14, 2016, Chris Horn

The Cold Case Project, an initiative in the Children’s Law Center, focuses on a select group of adolescents who have lingered in the S.C. foster system and are at risk for aging out of foster care without achieving legal permanency — that is, without a family. Partnering with DSS and the family courts, Cold Case staff find ways to reunite these at-risk foster children with responsible family members or to match them with a new family. With children’s lives at stake, giving up is not an option.