2020 News Archive

Spring 2021 COVID-19 Testing

The University of South Carolina will adopt a required testing program for students, faculty and staff during the 2021 spring semester.

Virtual Fall 2020 Commencement

The university will host a virtual commencement ceremony for fall 2020 graduates on Sunday, December 13.

The Office of the Provost Announces Interim Dean of the Graduate School

The Office of the Provost has announced the appointment of Dr. Tracey L. Weldon as interim dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education. Dr. Cheryl Addy has been appointed vice provost and dean of the faculty. Both appointments are effective January 1, 2021.

Here's a Health, Sister Carol | UofSC Master's Degree Helped Alumna Navigate the National Health Care Debate

Sister Carol Keehan has been a major player in the national health care debate for decades. And while her faith and her training as a nurse predate her time at the University of South Carolina, her education in insurance and finance began 40 years ago on the Columbia campus.

UofSC No. 1 in U.S. in Sport Science for Fourth Time

The University of South Carolina's sport science programs are ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year in the Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.

Doctoral Student Researches Literacy Interventions for Children With Hearing Loss, Selected to Join National Leadership Program

Doctoral student and Graduate Civic Scholar, Ellie Cooper, was recently selected as a member of the 2020 Early Childhood Leadership Initiative Cohort of the Division of Early Childhood/Council for Exceptional Children.

Celebrate #UofSC20

The university will hold several pre-commencement events to celebrate the winter 2020 graduation milestone.

New Partnership Gives UofSC Students Greater Access to National Lab

A new partnership with the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina will provide more collaborative research opportunities for faculty and students.

Veterans Bring Strong Work Ethic, New Perspectives to UofSC Community

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.

U.S. Navy Veteran Embarks on New Mission to Earn Doctorate

Before Marco Hernandez was incubating proteins in a laboratory, he was flinging fighter jets from aircraft carriers. As a doctoral student in biological sciences, his work shares a thread with his service ― his commitment to a purpose higher than himself.

First-generation Student Comes Full Circle to Help Those From Similar Backgrounds

Sharon Lee White enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 1979, the first in her family to attend college. Twenty-one years later, the journalism major finished her bachelor's degree. Nine years after that, in 2009, she completed her Ed.D.

First-generation Alumnus Returns to UofSC to Pursue History Ph.D.

Trey Capps, a first-generation college student from the small town of Aynor, South Carolina, has returned to his alma mater to pursue his doctorate in history.

Garnet Apple Winner: Andy Schumpert

Andy Schumpert got his first taste of teaching in graduate school at UofSC. Now an instructor and lab coordinator in biological sciences, he credits his early experience as a graduate teaching assistant with kickstarting his career.

A Decade at the Top | Ph.D. in Exercise Science Program Ranks No. 1 in the Nation for the Second Five-year Term in a Row

Released every five years since 1995, the National Academy of Kinesiology rankings are based on comprehensive information packages submitted by doctoral programs that focus on the study of physical activity.

Ph.D. in Epidemiology Candidate Lauren Reid Selected to Join American College of Sports Medicine's Leadership and Diversity Training Program

Ph.D. candidate and GJMPP scholar, Lauren Reid, has been selected to join the 2020 cohort of the American College of Sports Medicine's Leadership and Diversity Training Program.

TEDxUofSC 2020 Goes Virtual

The University of South Carolina will host a virtual TEDxUofSC event Oct. 21.

Sport, Entertainment Management Graduate Breaks into NFL

Kjahna O knew from the time she was a young girl that she wanted to be involved in football. After earning her master's degree in sport and entertainment management, O earned a spot with the Atlanta Falcons.

Speech-language Pathology Student Wins National Award, Pursues Career in Auditory Verbal Therapy

Graduate student Blythe Vickery, is committed to increasing access to auditory verbal therapy in South Carolina.

Ph.D. Graduate Focuses on Improving Population Health

Recent doctoral graduate Eric Chinaeke, is focused on using his passion for patient care to lead research impacting population health.

UofSC Master's Degree in Sport and Entertainment Management Ranked No. 7 Globally

The university's Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management program ranks No. 7 in the world in the SportBusiness 2020 Postgraduate Rankings, shooting up 14 spots from 2019.

Saha Receives UofSC 2020 Outstanding Thesis Award

Sudipta Saha, a mechanical engineering doctoral student in the College of Engineering and Computing, received the University of South Carolina's 2020 Outstanding Thesis Award for his master's thesis on thermal fluid science.

Faculty and Students Recognized by National Association

School of Journalism and Mass Communications faculty and graduate students were honored for excellence in research and teaching at the annual 2020 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication conference in August.

2020-2021 SPARC Research Grant Program

The Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to announce the application period for the 2020-2021 SPARC graduate research grant program. SPARC applications are due by Wednesday, October 14, at 5:00 p.m.

Camp Will Highlight Gullah/Geechee Culture to Spark Interest in Science

University of South Carolina faculty and Graduate School alumnae are using a grant from the National Science Foundation to design a summer camp to spark interest in STEM fields among Gullah/Geechee students by highlighting their culture as a catalyst for learning.

The Graduate School Announces 2020-2021 Presidential Fellows

The Graduate School is pleased to announce the University of South Carolina's 2020-2021 Presidential Fellows.

'This is My Community'

Lydia Carnesale knew just where to start to help members of her tight-knit Latino community in northeast Columbia when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The education Ph.D. candidate had worked five years earlier to help the same community during Columbia’s thousand-year flood event.

Honoring the Graduates of 2020

The Graduate School joins the University of South Carolina on August 8, 2020 to celebrate the Class of 2020 through our first ever virtual commencement ceremony.

Historic Columbia's Robin Waites' Commitment to Community Runs Deep

Robin Waites, who earned her master's in art history from the University of South Carolina, has made her mark at Historic Columbia by rethinking the way the city looks at its history.

Veteran Seeks to Help Injured Soldiers Regain Full Strength

When Brooks Herring decided to give college a try after serving in the U.S. Navy and working for the Army, he had one goal in mind: Creating a physical therapy program that would help wounded service members get back to the level of strength and activity they had before their injury.

Fall 2020 SEVP Guidance for Continuing Students

On July 24, 2020, additional clarifying questions were released by SEVP. On July 14, 2020, the Fall 2020 Guidance released by ICE on July 6, 2020 was rescinded. SEVP will return to the status quo established by the March 9, 2020 policy and subsequent FAQs.

COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing

Visit the Student Health Services website for more information about on-campus and off-campus COVID-19 testing options.

UofSC Alumna Named SC Teacher of the Year

Sarah Schumacher Gams, who earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of South Carolina, is the 2021 South Carolina Teacher of the year.

Alumna Recognized for Leadership and Positive Community Impact

Through advocating for policy and working with community leaders, Chynna Phillips, MSW, MPH '18, is dedicated to ensuring a positive future for Columbia and the Midlands region.

Spring & Summer 2020 Virtual Commencement

Spring and summer graduates will be honored in a virtual commencement ceremony on August 8, 2020.

Alumna Takes Helm as Mayor of Hometown During Pandemic

Kassandra Gove, '09 higher education administration, was elected the fifth mayor of her hometown of Amesbury, Massachusetts. Her tenure during the COVID-19 pandemic has been anything but typical.

Graduate Students: Message from the Dean

July 1, 2020 message from Dean Cheryl L. Addy

Take the Pledge to Fight the Spread

Students, faculty and staff play a critical role in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Demonstrate your commitment to keep the UofSC community in good health by being a part of #IPledgeColumbia and honoring the pledge during the fall semester.

McRell and Wilson Named Co-Winners of Doctoral Student Award

Ph.D. candidates Amanda Stafford McRell and Betty Wilson were recently recognized for their work and research in the College of Social Work doctoral program.

UofSC Alumnae Make Library List

Having an impact on their students and communities, being more inclusive for underserved populations and encouraging a lifelong love of reading and learning are passions shared by three alumnae of the School of Information Science who have been recognized as 2020 Movers & Shakers by Library Journal.

Claflin Students Win Clyburn Scholarships to Earn B.S. and MPH Through 4+1 Dual Degree Program

Emersen Frazier and Jamal Walker, rising seniors at Claflin University, have been selected to receive the James E. and Emily E. Clyburn Public Health Endowed Scholarship Award to complete the 4 + 1 Dual Degree Program.

Graduate Students: Message from the Dean

June 8, 2020 message from Dean Cheryl L. Addy.

Expanded Pass/Fail Grading Scale

On April 27, 2020 the UofSC Graduate Council approved a grading accommodation to graduate students in the form of an expanded pass/fail grading scale.

Ensemble Performs Virtually

Ryan Williams, who is pursuing a doctorate in music composition, teamed up with a School of Music alumnus to give high school and collegiate band students a chance to perform together during the pandemic.

UofSC Chemists Look to Future of Materials Science

Laura Murdock likes the thrill of creative chemistry ― making new materials that could, in turn, make a difference in the world. After finishing her undergraduate degree in chemistry at South Carolina, she came back to earn a Ph.D. and do research in synthetic chemistry.

Alumnus Selected for American Association of State Colleges and Universities 2020 Emerging Leaders Program

Shaun Owens, an assistant professor in the College of Social Work and an alumnus of the Arnold School's Ph.D. in HPEB program, will complete a project on UofSC's efforts to impact on statewide economic development and innovation.

2020-2021 Graduate Civic Scholars Announced

The Graduate School is pleased to announce that thirteen students have been chosen as 2020-2021 Graduate Civic Scholars.

Students, Alumni Named NSF Research Scholars

Seven UofSC students and alumni have been named 2020 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship scholars, and four have received Honorable Mentions.

MFA Exhibitions Go Online to Build Empathy, Spark Imagination

Three students exhibit their MFA thesis works online, fostering the opportunity to build empathy and spark the imaginations of viewers around the world.

UofSC Students Receive Seed Funding to Test Ideas Addressing the COVID-19 Crisis

The McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise at UofSC, in partnership with the Faber Entrepreneurship Center and South Carolina Research Authority, jointly announced nine student winners of the UofSC COVID-19 Ideas Challenge.

Tracking Coronavirus Genome

Biological sciences professor Bert Ely and doctoral student Taylor Carter write for The Conversation on how the coronavirus's genetic sequence provides insight into where the virus has been.

Graduate Students: Message from the Dean

April 28, 2020 message from Dean Cheryl L. Addy.

Students Research Sand Dunes, Salt Marshes, and Climate Change

Four graduate students at the University of South Carolina are starting research with their sights set on healthier waters, more stable sand dunes, and a stronger food chain.

Virtual Learning: Faculty Recording Engineer Creates Connections in the Classroom and on the Stage

The normal routine of Jeff Francis in the School of Music changed when the university closed in March, but his master's in educational technology has helped him weather the transition to virtual learning successfully.

Bridge Humanities Postdoctoral Teaching Fellows Program

The Bridge Humanities Corps (BHC), now in its fifth year, will continue in revised form during the 2020-21 academic year.

UofSC's First African American Full Professor Continues to Drive Change

Dr. John McFadden is the first African American full professor at the University of South Carolina and the Director of the Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program. Dr. McFadden currently teaches in the department of neuropsychiatry and behavioral sciences at UofSC's School of Medicine.

Graduate Students: Memo from the Dean

April 2, 2020 memo from Dean Cheryl L. Addy

Engineering Students Lead Effort to Create Protective Face Shields

University of South Carolina engineering students and faculty work to create personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals in the fight against COVID-19.

Graduate Students: Memo from the Dean

March 26, 2020 Memo from Dean Cheryl L. Addy.

Graduate Students: Letter from the Dean

March 20, 2020 letter from Dean Cheryl L. Addy.

UofSC Continues to Climb In Graduate Rankings

The University of South Carolina continues to shine with 54 unique nationally ranked graduate programs -- nine in the top 25 -- in U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools list released Tuesday (March 17).

Additional Guidance for Graduate Students During Coronavirus Mitigation

Additional guidance and information for graduate students.

Social Work Alumni, Faculty Improving Lives in South Carolina and Beyond

The College of Social Work is celebrating 50 years of improving the lives of people in South Carolina and beyond. Two alumni and a faculty member are among the many who are continuing that work.

Alumna Wins Early Career Award

Yu-Hsiu Lin, '15 Ph.D. health services policy and management, will study post-traumatic stress disorder, social vulnerability and dementia among earthquake survivors with a Young Scholar Fellowship from the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology.

Turning Connections Into a Career

Ja'Qor "Jay" Goodwin turned his master of mass communication degree to work as the strategist and voice team leader for Nebo in Atlanta. He says every connection he's made in the marketing and advertising agency world was sparked by the people and experiences in UofSC's MMC program.

Art Education Graduate Student Wins Teacher of the Year

Kristen [Layton] teaches art full-time in an elementary school in North Carolina, and commutes to Columbia to take graduate classes every week.

Physician Uses Online Master's Degree to Provide Better Care, Reduce Inequities

Keerthana Kumar became interested in public health while she was studying to become a physician. Kumar completed an online master of public health in health promotion, education and behavior in December and plans to use her knowledge to provide better health care and reduce inequities.

Fields Soars On and Off the Track

Jordan Fields doesn't back down from challenges, on or off the track. South Carolina's high jumper not only wants to take top honors at nationals this season, but she also has her sights set on earning her pharmacy doctorate.

Research Attracts Graduate Student

Social work graduate student Rachel Carlson was drawn to UofSC by the prospect of doing research on government policy on the opioid crisis with professor Christina Andrews, a nationally renowned researcher in the field.

The Office of the Vice President for Research Awards 2019-2020 SPARC Grants to 57 Graduate Students

The Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 recipients of the SPARC Graduate Research Grants.

Register for Discover USC 2020

Registration is open for Discover USC 2020 -- the university's annual showcase of research, scholarship, leadership and creativity.

Graduate Chosen for Marine Policy Fellowship

Shelby Butz, a May 2019 doctoral graduate of the Arnold School's environmental health sciences program, has been selected for the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program.

Preparing Students in the Study of Aging

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Aging prepares students for careers working with older adults, especially important as the U.S. population of adults ages 65 and over grows from 50 to 80 million over the next 30 years.

Former Graduate Civic Scholar Dr. Eboni Haynes Engages Teens in Land Use Planning

Eboni Haynes graduated in December 2019 with a PhD in health services policy and management from the Arnold School of Public Health. As a doctoral student, she also was part of the Graduate School's innovative Graduate Civic Scholars Program.

2020 Breakthrough Award Winners Announced

The Office of the Vice President for Research has selected its Breakthrough Award winners for 2020, including five leadership in research awardees, 11 stars and 14 graduate scholars. The awards recognize excellent researchers at different career levels.

UofSC Climbs in Nursing, Education Rankings

The University of South Carolina ranks No. 1 in the nation among public universities (No. 2 overall) for its online graduate nursing program, according to U.S. News and World Report's annual online rankings.

Servant Leadership Drives Nursing Doctoral Candidate

Servant leadership is what Ruth Mustard, 96' MSN has strived for throughout her 42-year career as a nurse. It is also what she has focused her research interests on as a student in the doctor of nursing practice program.

Are You Applying to Graduate School? Preparing for Graduate School Can Help!

The Preparing for Graduate School seminar is aimed at helping our undergraduate students prepare for the graduate school selection and application process.

Graduate School