Living-Learning Community Faculty Directors
The University of South Carolina is home to 6 nationally-ranked faculty-led Living-Learning Communities. While academic pursuits are crucial, a student’s
living environment and social connections play equally vital roles in shaping their
college journey.
Faculty-Led Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) bring together students with shared
interests, whether academic or personal, who typically reside on the same floor(s),
engage in common activities, and form an inclusive, often family-like community. Recent
research suggests that LLC residents achieve higher grades, graduation rates, sense
of belonging, and overall happiness. The faculty-led communities are led by Dr. April Barnes and Dr. Lara Lomicka-Anderson.
Meet the Faculty Directors of our Living-Learning Communities
Jim Mensch
Dr. Jim Mensch serves as the Faculty Director of the Galen Health Fellows Living and
Learning Community and is an Associate Professor in the Arnold School of Public Health/Exercise
Science. He has been at USC since 2000 and authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications,
written a textbook on psychosocial issues in athletic training, and secured over $8
million in research funding, including a Department of Defense grant supporting athletic
training services across U.S. Army training bases. His work focuses on integrating
medical care into non-traditional settings such as the military, youth sports, and
international environments. He has received numerous recognitions, including the World
Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy Education Impact Award (2023) and the NATA
Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2025). Dr. Mensch lives in Irmo, South
Carolina, with his wife, Laurene, and their two English labs. Their son, Jack, was
a Galen Fellow and is completing law school at USC, and their daughter, Anna Grace,
will graduate from the USC College of Pharmacy in 2027.
Elise Lewis
Elise Lewis has been at USC since 2009 and with the Capstone Scholars Program since
2020. She teaches in the School of Information Science in the College of Information
and Communications. She has a B.A. in Radio, Television, and Film, a Master of Library
and Information Science, and a Ph.D. in Information Science. Elise encourages students
to challenge themselves within and beyond the classroom. In her free time, she can
usually be found outside in a kayak or on her bike. She will always stop to say hi
to a dog.
Charlie Pierce
Dr. Charlie Pierce is an associate professor in the Molinaroli College of Engineering
and Computing and the inaugural Faculty Director of the Engineering and Computing
Living and Learning Community. Over the past three years, he has served as the Faculty
Executive Director of the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning in the
Office of the Provost, where he spearheaded programs to promote high-impact teaching
practices and support student engagement in meaningful beyond-the-classroom experiences.
Dr. Pierce teaches geotechnical and materials engineering courses in the Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is honored to have been recognized as the
American Society of Civil Engineers South Carolina Section Educator of the Year in
2021. A firm believer that everyone is an engineer at heart, Dr. Pierce enjoys cheering
on Gamecock athletes and, as a native New Englander, is an avid fan of Boston’s professional
sports teams.
Armen Shaomian
Dr. Armen Shaomian is an associate professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment
Management. Joining USC in 2012, he established and expanded the entertainment management
curriculum. His research focuses on the live entertainment industry and performing
arts management and leadership, and he is a frequent presenter and keynote speaker
at international music industry conferences. He currently holds the position of Immediate-Past
President of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association. His partner
Wes (a Gamecock alumnus and attorney) splits his time between Columbia and Washington,
D.C., where he works on Capitol Hill.
Stephen Thompson
Dr. Stephen Thompson is a proud first-generation college graduate. He currently serves
as the inaugural Faculty Director of the University of South Carolina First-Gen Living
and Learning Community and is also a Professor in the Department of Teacher Education
at the University of South Carolina. In his role as Faculty Director, Dr. Thompson
seeks to create programs that support first-generation college student success, career
advancement, and leadership potential. His work as a science educator focuses on improving
K-8 science education, especially in high-need communities, through practice-based
models of science teacher development1. Dr. Thompson lives in Columbia, SC with his
wife and dog. He also enjoys spending time outdoors (hiking, beaching, biking, etc.)
with his two adult daughters.
Krista Van Fleit
Dr. Krista Van Fleit is an Associate Professor of Chinese Studies in the Department
of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Her first book, Literature the People Love:
Reading Chinese Texts from the Early Maoist Period, 1949-1966, analyzes literature
and film in 20th century China. She is currently writing a book on film culture in
China and India. Krista lived in Beijing, China for many years, working as the entertainment
editor for a local English language magazine during one of them, and was awarded a
Fulbright to conduct research in India, living in Mussoorie and then New Delhi for
just under a year. Krista grew up in the Midwest but has fallen in love with Columbia
summers - if she isn’t in her office you’ll most likely find her at the pool. She
lives with her partner, two teenage sons, a dog, and a one-eyed cat.
