Education

M.S.E.M., Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, University of South Carolina
B.A., Journalism and Mass Communications; Public Relations, University of South Carolina

Background

Catherine Wiggins joined the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management in October 2025 as vice dean for external affairs. A strategic and relationship-driven advancement leader, she brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education fundraising, stakeholder engagement and institutional reputation management. Wiggins is known for cultivating meaningful partnerships with alumni, corporations, government agencies and community organizations to advance academic and philanthropic goals.

Before returning to the college, Wiggins served in the University of South Carolina’s Division of Development and Office of the President, where she held progressive leadership roles in principal gifts and presidential engagement. In these positions, she cultivated and closed multiple seven- and eight-figure gifts, led leadership giving teams to record-setting fundraising years and helped coordinate donor engagement for the university’s highest-level supporters. She also worked closely with university leadership to align philanthropic strategies with institutional priorities and spearheaded campaign initiatives that enhanced USC’s visibility and impact.

From 2008 to 2018, Wiggins served the College of HRSM as chief development officer, director of development and assistant director of development. In these roles, she raised more than $9.7 million in gifts for the college and led initiatives that established new endowed funds, corporate partnerships and facility naming opportunities. Earlier in her career, she worked in the College of Education as certification and accreditation coordinator, supporting students and faculty in licensure and quality assurance processes.

Wiggins has been an active leader and contributor to university-wide initiatives, serving on committees such as the new Athletic Director Implementation Committee, the Graduation and Retention Council, President’s Organizational Planning committee and was on teams responsible for on-boarding the last two University of South Carolina Presidents. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, teaching courses on live entertainment management. Her expertise and insights have been featured at multiple Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) conferences, where she has served as a presenter on major gift strategies, campaign planning and presidential engagement.

A two-time alumna of the University of South Carolina, Wiggins earned a Master of Sport and Entertainment Management and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications. She was recognized as a 2014 Rising Star by Columbia Regional Business Report and as a member of the inaugural Emerging Leaders class at USC. Deeply committed to service, she volunteers with the District Five Foundation for Educational Excellence and Chapin Christian Community Church, supporting local education and community development initiatives.

Awards / Honors

• Faculty Campaigns Workshop, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), 2023-2024
• Featured Presenter, CASE District III Annual Conference, 2014-2024
• Emerging Leaders Class, University of South Carolina, 2016
• Rising Star Honoree, Influential Women in Business, Columbia Regional Business Report, 2014

Teaching

• SPTE 202 – Introduction to Live Entertainment Management

Professional Affiliations

• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Presentations

Wiggins, C. (2024, April). A new twist on principal giving and presidential engagement. CASE District III Annual Conference.
Wiggins, C. (2022, December). Building campaign plans and cases for support. CASE District III Annual Conference.
Wiggins, C. (2016, February). New dean, no problem. CASE District III Annual Conference, Nashville, TN.
Wiggins, C. (2014, February). Creating something from nothing. CASE District III Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.