Recent Stories

A pile of sulfur sits near a crane at a seaport

Sulfur-based batteries could offer electric vehicles a greener, longer-range option

November 18, 2025, Golareh Jalilvand

Imagine an electric car that could go 600, 700 or even 1,000 miles on a single charge. Golareh Jalilvand, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, writes for The Conversation on how battery researchers are seeking options to lithium-ion batteries that have better performance, improved environmental sustainability and lower cost.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Conversation

A student works with a model of the heart.

Innovative cardiac teaching tool earns recognition for nursing faculty

November 18, 2025, Laura Erskine

Heart defects affect about 1 percent of all babies born in the United States each year, making the cardiovascular system an important part of the nursing curriculum. To help students master this material, assistant professor Stephanie Schaller invented a new tool that lets students learn heart defects through hands-on activities.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Experiential Learning, Health Sciences, Entrepreneurship, College of Nursing, University System

Three doctors standing in the glass hallway of a clinic

Jonathan Aun's Honors College experience helped shape his successful career path into medicine

November 18, 2025, Chris Horn

As a first-generation student, Jonathan Aun's path to becoming a doctor wasn't easy. In USC's Honors College he found friendships, memories and an environment of support and exploration in which to lead and help others do the same. Whether called Major Aun or Dr. Aun today, he continues to build compassionate connection with his patients — and is a true Gamecock at heart.

Topics: Alumni, Academics, Health Sciences, Service, Leadership, Careers, South Carolina Honors College

A group of winners gather together holding their awards.

USC students and alumni win South Carolina InnoVision Awards

November 14, 2025, Laura Erskine

Six finalists with ties to USC were recognized by the 2025 InnoVision Awards, with three winning top honors. The winning businesses are led by students in the South Carolina Honors College, alumni and graduate students from the Molinaroli College of Engineering, and alumni from the Darla Moore School of Business and the Honors College.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Recognition, Economic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Darla Moore School of Business, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Graduate School, South Carolina Honors College

A health care provider greets a mother and her infant.

Community health centers provide care for 1 in 10 Americans, but funding cuts threaten their survival

November 13, 2025, Jennifer Springhart

Many Americans who lack or have insufficient health insurance seek health care from a network of safety net clinics called community health centers. Dr. Jennifer Springhart of USC's School of Medicine Greenville writes for The Conversation about how decreasing their capacity could destabilize other elements of local health care delivery systems.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Medicine (Greenville), The Conversation

woman stands outside with trees in the background

Clinical Practice Teaching Award: Megan Tran

November 12, 2025, Dan Cook

It would be a stretch to say that playing the clarinet led to Megan Tran’s career as a pharmacist — but not much of one. In high school, Tran — now a clinical assistant professor at the College of Pharmacy — played the clarinet and the tenor sax. Playing in the marching band was a big reason the Clover, South Carolina, native came to USC, and she considered a career as a band director. But an aunt encouraged her to keep an open mind about career options, and Tran ended up falling in love with pharmacy.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Recognition, Health Sciences, Careers, College of Pharmacy

Headshot of Gracie Bellah

Student historian maps out a new direction to a career in student affairs

November 11, 2025, Laura Erskine

Senior Gracie Bellah started at USC with her plans mapped out. A history and anthropology double major in the Honors College, she dove into historical research and became a leader in student organizations. Her experience helping other students as a McCausland College ambassador helped her decide to take her career plans in a new direction.

Topics: Students, Research, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

A truck transports heating oil through snow

Trump was already cutting low-income energy assistance

November 11, 2025, Conor Harrison and Elena Louder, et al

As fall turns to winter, millions across the U.S. will struggle to pay their rising energy bills. The government shutdown is making matters even worse: Several states have pushed back the start of their winter energy assistance because their federally allocated funds had yet to show up. USC geography professor Conor Harrison writes for The Conversation about energy insecurity.

Topics: Faculty, Research, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

Man standing in medical research lab

Future physician-scientist selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist

November 11, 2025, Valerie Weingart

South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre has been named a finalist for the 2026 Marshall Scholarships. If selected, he plans to pursue an MPhil in biological sciences to develop novel treatments for Parkinson's disease before returning to USC for medical school.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Health Sciences, Leadership, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

Landon Pitts looks at a laptop alongside two peers.

Social work initiative expands behavioral health care access in rural South Carolina

November 10, 2025, Carol JG Ward

The University of South Carolina’s Rural Occupations Workforce Expansion (ROWE) program trains MSW students to serve in underserved communities, strengthening South Carolina’s rural behavioral health workforce and improving access to mental health care.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, SC Impact, College of Social Work

Student sitting at a counter in a research lab

Senior public health major named Rhodes Scholarship finalist

November 03, 2025, Valerie Weingart

A Rhodes scholar embodies academic excellence, strong collaboration and leadership skills, and dedication to working for the good of humanity — all of which describe South Carolina Honors College student and public health major Hannah Brennen. Her research and involvement in the Columbia community throughout her academic career have her poised to become USC's 11th Rhodes scholar and first since 2016.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, SC Impact, Service, Leadership, Student Voices, Medicine (Columbia), Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

Students walk along brick pathway on campus during fall

First-generation students bring perspective, energy to USC campus

October 31, 2025, Megan Sexton

As the university marks the celebration of First-Gen College Celebration Week, we caught up with first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff who are thriving in the classroom and beyond.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, Diversity, SC Impact, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

Young woman checks her blood pressure with a monitoring cuff.

Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health

October 24, 2025, Jewel Scott

Emerging adulthood is a life stage where behaviors that diminish heart health—such as spending more time sitting, consuming more fast food and using more tobacco and alcohol—become more common. Jewel Scott, assistant professor of nursing science in USC's College of Nursing, writes for The Conversation about the power of habits on our behavior.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, College of Nursing, The Conversation

Headshot of Jihong Liu

USC professor advocates for better maternal, postpartum health care

October 21, 2025, Laura Erskine

USC researchers are tackling the issues that underlie the women’s health care gap. Jihong Liu, professor of epidemiology in the Arnold School of Public Health, studies the impact of maternal health care for women and their children. While one branch of her research focuses on developmental origins of disease, Liu also examines how a woman’s experiences during pregnancy can affect her own health for a lifetime.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health

Headshot of Jewel Scott

USC researcher leads listening studies to help address bias in health care

October 21, 2025, Laura Erskine

USC researchers are tackling the issues that underlie the women’s health care gap. Jewel Scott, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and College of Nursing faculty member, says women are more likely to be dismissed in medical settings because their symptoms aren’t as well understood – or health care providers just aren’t listening. Scott is working to change that by helping patients and practitioners become better advocates.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, College of Nursing

Headshot of Katie Hirsch

USC exercise scientist strives to make health research more inclusive

October 21, 2025, Laura Erskine

USC researchers are tackling the issues that underlie the women’s health care gap. In the Arnold School of Public Health, assistant professor Katie Hirsch is working to address the research shortage. Traditionally, scientific research took findings based on the ‘typical’ male body and extrapolated the results to apply to all people, including women. The problem, Hirsch says, is that “women are not small men.”

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper looking toward video screen displaying logo and photo of students

Department of Sport and Entertainment Management named for David and Nicole Tepper

October 14, 2025, Allen Wallace

USC announces the newly named David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management in honor of its visionary partners. A new $5 million investment extends their longstanding support for high-achieving students and adds funding for elite practitioner-educators.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Partnerships, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Woman standing in an outdoor area

Psychology, criminology major reflects on her experience studying abroad

October 13, 2025, Téa Smith

For psychology and criminology junior Caroline Hinkebein, exploring the world meant going to the University of South Carolina — nearly 1,000 miles away from her hometown. But her concept of world travel broadened when she got the opportunity to study abroad in Europe her freshman year. We talked to her about her experiences abroad.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

Illustration of nurses' gloved hands piled on top of one another.

A Culture of Caring

October 08, 2025, Rebekah Friedman

From improving outcomes for premature babies to nurturing research advancements in chronic illness to strengthening the next generation of nursing leadership, University of South Carolina faculty members Robin Dail, Cindy Corbett and Jeanne Cavanaugh have had careers worth celebrating. While these three center directors are retiring this year, their legacies will endure through their centers’ continued impact at USC and beyond.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Research, Health Sciences, College of Nursing

Head and shoulders photo of James Bowers

Law school's first full-time African American professor cements his legacy

October 07, 2025, Megan Sexton

James E. Bowers was an undergraduate student at USC in the early days of desegregation and the first full-time African American law school professor. He will cement his legacy with an endowed professorship in his name at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law, the first named for a Black law school professor, and an endowed lectureship series that will share knowledge about democracy and the rule of law.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Graduate Studies, Diversity, History, Recognition, Philanthropy, Leadership, Careers, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Tremayne Ansani sits on the tailgate of an ambulance.

South Carolina Honors College graduate Tremayne Ansani finds his path at USC

October 07, 2025, Megan Sexton

Tremayne Ansani had big plans before he even set foot on campus, but he had one overarching goal: to create and support community. Four years and a double major later, the Honors College graduate sat on the commencement stage as the recipient of the university’s highest student honor, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

Topics: Students, Recognition, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Carolinian

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Remembering the Days -- Creme de la creme: Phi Beta Kappa at USC

October 07, 2025, Evan Faulkenbury

More than 200 years ago, students at Carolina tried to start a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa — now the nation's most prestigious honor society — but their application was rejected by an Ivy League college. More than a century later, they tried again and succeeded, paving the way for high-achieving students to earn membership in one of academia's most exclusive clubs. 

Topics: History

woman stands outside leaning against a building

Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Award: Julie Hubbert

October 03, 2025, Dan Cook

Julie Hubbert, recipient of the Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Award, is particularly adept at teaching in the context of forging one's own path. That’s because her interests have always extended beyond music to include film, film music and the social, cultural and economic contexts in which music and film are created. With this broad outlook as a starting point, she helps students understand the wider context in which they operate and to develop the mindset they’ll need to thrive.

Topics: Faculty, Recognition, School of Music

Asian man standing on dock in foreground with ship visible behind him

Unsung ocean fungi have 'superpower' to aid healthy marine environments

October 03, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen

Little-known ocean fungi are microscopic in size but make a gargantuan impact on subterranean life. Their superpower? They are the heavy lifters of carbon and nitrogen cycling, processes essential for life on earth. Nick Peng, assistant professor in the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, would like unsung ocean fungi finally to get the recognition they deserve.

Topics: Faculty, Research, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

Crop of hand unrolling yoga mat for a workout

Most of your actions are driven by habit, not thought

October 03, 2025, Amanda Rebar, co-author

A new study shows that the majority of actions people take in a day are carried out on autopilot. Habitual behavior is made up of the things that we do without thinking, prompted by our environment and learned through repeated enactment. Public Health professor Amanda Rebar writes for The Conversation about the power of habits on our behavior.

Topics: Research, Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, The Conversation

Head shot of Guoan Wang in his engineering lab

Engineering prof named university's second-ever National Academy of Inventors fellow

September 30, 2025, Chris Horn

Electrical engineering professor Guoan Wang got his first U.S. patent while in graduate school and now has more than 60 patents and more than 50 additional patents pending. He was elected to the National Academy of Inventors’ 2024 Class of Fellows, the highest professional distinction awarded to inventors.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Initiatives, Economic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Careers, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

Flood waters in Columbia fill street and business

Researchers and former students recall harsh lessons from historic 2015 Midlands flood

September 30, 2025, Chris Horn

It happened a decade ago, but lessons learned from the catastrophic flooding of Oct. 1-5, 2015, in the Midlands of South Carolina are still being reckoned by University of South Carolina researchers and former students who were involved in the flood’s aftermath.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Research, Initiatives, Philanthropy, Service, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

Curing Kids Cancer founders Clay and Grainne Owen present a check to Michael Wyatt from the USC College of Pharmacy

Curing Kids Cancer pledge fuels USC, Prisma Health pediatric cancer research partnership

September 24, 2025, Laura Morris

The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy and Prisma Health Children’s Hospital announced a research collaboration on Sept. 24 aimed at redefining pediatric oncology care in South Carolina. The $5 million pledge from Curing Kids Cancer will fund research aimed at developing and providing access to innovative therapeutics for children with cancer.

Topics: Alumni, University Leadership, Research, Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy

Chris Rorden smiles for the camera with the MRI machine in the background.

A Sharper Image: At USC, better brain health outcomes begin with cutting-edge neuroimaging equipment

September 24, 2025, Rebekah Friedman

The McCausland Center’s MRI scanner is a 3 Tesla, twice the strength of typical MRIs. Access to equipment of that caliber has enabled the center to bring in tens of millions in grant funding and has led to an explosion in research studies that have advanced our understanding of aphasia, stroke treatment and brain aging.

Topics: Faculty, Arnold School of Public Health, Carolinian, Breakthrough Research

path and building on the USC Horseshoe

US News: USC retains top rankings in international business, first-year student experience

September 23, 2025, Megan Sexton

USC retained its top ranking in international business and is home to the nation’s top first-year student experience among public institutions, while the College of Nursing BSN degree jumped 17 spots to No. 22 nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings released Sept. 23.

Topics: University Leadership, Undergraduate Admissions, Recognition, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Nursing

Head and shoulders photo of Zachary Winkelmann

Clinical practice teaching award: Zachary Winkelmann

September 12, 2025, Megan Sexton

Zachary Winkelmann, who teaches in the athletic training program in the Arnold School of Public Health, is the 2025 recipient of USC'sclinical practice teaching award, which recognizes a faculty member for outstanding clinical teaching, practice, advising and mentoring of health science students.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Graduate Studies, Recognition, Health Sciences, Leadership, Careers, Arnold School of Public Health

woman wearing safety goggles stands in a lab

Chemical engineering faculty member demonstrates breakthrough technology for blue phase liquid crystals

September 10, 2025, Chris Horn

Since they first appeared on wristwatches in the early 1970s, liquid crystal displays have made the leap to TVs, smartphones, household appliances and automobile dashboards. Now an even more responsive type of LCD technology, called blue phase liquid crystals, is getting closer to commercial use, and a USC chemical engineering professor’s research in that field is attracting notice.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

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Remembering the Days -- The story of McBryde Quad

September 10, 2025, Evan Faulkenbury

Built in the 1950s as USC's first fraternity dorms, the McBryde Quad saw its share of keg parties and frat boy shenanigans back in the day. McBryde's reputation for rowdiness eventually gave way to more serious conversations among its residents in later years. Now, as the last of McBryde's buildings are slated for replacement, it's an auspicious time to consider the long arc of McBryde's story.

Topics: History

An abstract, cubist illustration of a human brain.

Brain Trust: USC has prioritized its efforts to improve brain health across the Palmetto State

September 08, 2025, Rebekah Friedman

Cognitive decline is a significant problem for South Carolina’s aging population. That’s one reason the University of South Carolina has prioritized its efforts to improve brain health across the Palmetto State. In USC’s Arnold School of Public Health, researchers are leading the charge to better understand how diet, exercise and intervention factor into the solution.

Topics: Research, Arnold School of Public Health, Breakthrough Research

Hand holding small brown shrimp

Video: Snapping shrimp could hold the key to protecting human brains from shockwaves

September 05, 2025, Hadley McCollester

Snapping shrimp can create shockwaves strong enough to stun prey. But how do they survive each other’s blasts? USC biologist Dan Speiser and his team discovered that a special “orbital hood” — a helmet-like shield around the shrimp’s eyes and brain — protects them from these powerful shockwaves. Collaborating with biomedical researchers at the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, the team is now studying the hood’s structure to design next-generation helmets that could protect human brains from shock waves and even reduce the risk of PTSD in military personnel.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

A man standing in front of a garden

Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award: Brett Robertson

September 05, 2025, Téa Smith

Associate professor Brett Robertson believes education goes beyond content delivery — it should challenge students to think critically, empower them to engage with real-world problems and inspire tangible impact. And the best way to do that? Appeal to students’ individual interests, abilities and learning styles. He was awarded the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award for his commitment to quality classroom instruction.

Topics: Faculty, Recognition, College of Information and Communications

Headshot of Jaelyn Souza

Neuroscience student finds connection, purpose in pursuing special education

September 04, 2025, Laura Erskine

If Jaelyn Souza could give just one piece of advice to this year’s incoming students at USC, it would be this: “Keep an open mind, because me as a freshman and me as a senior are two very different people.” The neuroscience major says all of her beyond-the-classroom experiences helped her decide on her career path.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

Researchers in field examine data collected

Kazakhstan studies affirm imperative to secure nuclear storage solutions

September 03, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen

The pleasing pastoral landscapes across the former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan hardly reflect its dark history. Generations of locals have lived near the site since it opened in 1949, and many remain today. USC researchers Timothy Mousseau and Magdalena Stawkowski are studying the impact of radioactive isotopes on the people, animals and plants of Semipalantinsk.

Topics: Faculty, Research, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

Researchers lower nets into coastal waters.

Baruch researchers investigate impacts of warming waters on shrimp populations

September 03, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen

Project investigators from USC’s Baruch Marine Field Lab have been collaborating on a study into the impacts of warming coastal ocean waters on shrimp populations. They found that shrimp populations have been largely stable, and warmer water temperatures have led to longer seasons for shrimpers, often through January.

Topics: Faculty, Research, SC Impact, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

woman standing in front of the Joseph F. Rice School of Law

From chemistry labs to courtrooms: Honors College senior finds new path at USC

August 28, 2025, Téa Smith

Honors College senior Luci Green initially decided to study chemistry in college, but after taking a course taught by a visiting law professor, she began considering a new path. Now, she’s pursuing a pre-law concentration in conjunction with her chemistry major in hopes of becoming a patent lawyer.

Topics: Students, Academics, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

woman standing in a football stadium giving the

USC experience paved the way for Pulitzer finalist Mary Ramsey

August 27, 2025, Page Ivey

When Mary Ramsey arrived at the University of South Carolina, she was already certain of two things: she wanted to be a Gamecock, and she wanted to be a journalist. After earning her bachelor's degree in journalism, she has made stops at newspapers in Arizona, Kentucky and now at the Charlotte Observer, where one of her stories was part of the paper's Pulitzer Prize finalist package for covering Hurricane Helene.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Careers, College of Information and Communications

3 young men point at the camera, getting excited at a football game

A guide to Gamecock gameday

August 27, 2025, Catherine Pruitt

It’s that time of the year again when Gamecocks flock to Williams-Brice Stadium decked out in their garnet and black. For many students, this will be your first “Saturday in South Carolina” as a Gamecock. We understand this annual rite of passage can be a bit daunting for first-timers, so here are some tips to make the most of your gameday.

students at Williams-Brice waving white towels

Useful campus apps

August 26, 2025, Collyn Taylor

From getting tickets to sporting events to navigating campus, a few key apps for Gamecocks as the Fall 2025 semester begins.

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Remembering the Days - A Conversation with Tommy Suggs

August 21, 2025, Chris Horn and Evan Faulkenbury

He was a star quarterback for the Gamecocks more than 50 years ago, and for most of the years since then Tommy Suggs has been the color commentator for radio coverage of USC football games. He recently sat down with Remembering the Days co-hosts Evan Faulkenbury and Chris Horn to look back on his career and look ahead to the fall 2025 football season. 

Topics: History

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