Hundreds of graduates officially became alumni after the University of South Carolina Aiken held its annual spring commencement ceremony on May 6.  “To the Class of 2026, this is your moment, and it’s one you’ve truly earned. Some of you will step into new careers, taking everything you’ve learned into communities near and far,” said Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor of USCA. “Each of you came to USCA with your own story, strengths, and goals. Along the way, you’ve grown through long nights, challenging classes, and the encouragement of faculty who believed in you.”  The ceremony featured several notable moments, including the commissioning of graduating seniors Elenora Gazzelli, Sairielys Hernandez-Cruz, Irvon T. Malcolm, Tyrell D. Robinson and Ali Samaha into the United States Army. According to Robert Murphy, director of military affairs and external studies at USCA, this is the largest commissioning of students in the school's history.   Another highlight included the awarding of an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Dr. Elizabeth Stewart, president of the Aiken Partnership Board. Stewart is chair emerita of Stewart and Associates, a national management training and survey consulting firm celebrating 40 years. She holds undergraduate degrees in French, Spanish and education, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and economics and a law degree, all from the University of Florida.  During her remarks, Stewart shared that she had been a competitive surfer for nearly 60 years and offered graduates three life lessons she learned from surfing. “First, know that the first wave you ride will probably not end up being the last wave. Second, most really good surfers become good surfers because they find better surfers to learn from. And third, success is not how many trophies you have won or how much you have.”  The university also recognized Ainhoa Colino as its May Outstanding Senior Student. Originally from Spain, Colino graduated with a 4.0 GPA and degrees in psychology and exercise and sports science. During her time at USCA, she presented at four research conferences, earned recognition as a Magellan Scholar, and became a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.  Beyond the classroom, Colino was a member of the cross-country team and an All-American race walker, served as a resident mentor in student housing, and worked as a global ambassador for the university’s International Program. She is also fluent in five languages.  Colino delivered remarks during the rehearsal session prior to commencement. “USCA has given me friendships and memories I will carry with me forever, and I will never be grateful enough for them,” Colino said. “This university has seen me grow not only as a student, but as a person, and it is because of those experiences and opportunities that I am standing here today.”  Other noteworthy moments included USCA LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) celebrating the graduation of its second cohort of students with intellectual disabilities. Among the graduates were best friends Julianna Gray and Ava Shahabhrami, who gained national attention after enrolling in the program together in fall 2024.  Gray said she plans to return to USCA LIFE’s Leadership & Civic Engagement program, an extension of the USCA LIFE initiative. Shahabhrami said she will work at the Lantern Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina, while also serving as a coordinator at Joy in the Journey Pediatric and Speech Therapy Services. In both roles, she will help prepare rooms and welcome clients.   Local media outlets also covered USCA’s commencement ceremony:  USCA celebrates May commencement - FOX54 News Now  USCA celebrates spring commencement with more than 400 graduates - WRDW News 12  ‘Give your best from the very beginning’: USCA’s newest grads are ready to take on the world  - Aiken Standard  USCA graduates celebrate 2026 commencement - Augusta Chronicle 

Generac is supporting the expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming at USCA’s Ruth Patrick Science Education Center through a $23,500 contribution. The funding will help grow educational programs and sponsorship opportunities throughout the year while furthering the center’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.  The power systems company presented the donation during a check presentation with Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor of USCA, and Dr. Phil Bridgemon, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.   The new funding will enhance several key initiatives, including the Science Education Enrichment Day (SEED) STEM Festival, the Full STEAM Ahead summer camp and student program sponsorships for both the physical science and mathematics content series.  “The RPSEC has a foundation built on partnerships and relationships with organizations like Generac,” said Senn. “Without the support of these partnerships, we would be unable to inspire a love for STEM throughout our community, and the RPSEC would not be the STEM education leader it is today.”  According to Kelly Skindzelewski, community programs manager for Generac, the partnership between the company and the center began shortly after Generac opened its facility in Trenton, South Carolina, in 2021.  “When Generac first opened our facility in Trenton, we began searching for local STEM programs we could engage with and discovered the nearby Ruth Patrick Science Education Center,” Skindzelewski said. “The center offers a variety of programs that align with our interests and continue to provide meaningful ways to engage with local schools and the community.”  Skindzelewski said Generac and the Generac Foundation view education and innovation as critical drivers of economic growth and career development.  “Giving back to the community where our employees live and work is an important part of Generac’s culture,” she said. “The RPSEC provides unique opportunities for us to support educational programs that help prepare young people for future careers.”  She added that Generac sees opportunities for continued collaboration with RPSEC in areas ranging from science and cybersecurity to business administration and electrical engineering.  “Middle and high school students are looking for hands-on experiences that help guide their future career paths,” Skindzelewski said. “We’re excited to continue supporting programs that introduce students to those possibilities.”  Skindzelewski added that supporting STEM education is critical to developing future leaders who will solve problems and drive innovation. By investing in youth STEM programs at the Ruth Patrick Science Eduation Center, the company hopes to spark curiosity and create meaningful “light bulb moments” that inspire students to explore future careers in STEM.  

USCA celebrated students’ research during the 18th annual Scholar Showcase in April to kick off weeks of focus on student achievement just prior to commencement.  This year’s Scholar Showcase featured the research of approximately 100 students and 40 faculty. The day-long event highlighted the collaboration between students and faculty from all disciplines.  “The importance of scholarly activity, including undergraduate research, cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Bill Jackson, chair of the Department of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences and organizer of the event.   “Faculty-mentored research is an immersive experience in which a student focuses on a problem and uses the knowledge obtained in the classroom to problem solve, think creatively and critically, and better understand the nuances of their chosen field of study.”  He adds that the benefits of the collaboration are enduring, far beyond the publication of the research in academic journals.  “Student-faculty interactions are powerful and often create a lifelong connection to the university, the department, and most importantly, to the faculty member,” Jackson said.  Much of the students’ research efforts were funded through grants, such as the Magellan Scholars Program, National Institutes of Health’s INBRE program and numerous scholarships made possible by generous supporters of USCA. Others are supported by regional partners, which may include government agencies or private industries. Specifically, UCSA’s engineering capstone projects are industry sponsored, yearlong design projects. “Each project has an industry mentor that works directly with our student team. These mentors provide current projects from their respective companies with problem statements, constraints, and design goals,” said Dr. Bethany Fralick, engineering program coordinator.   “The students interact weekly and are often on site at the local industries. The mentor provides guidance and advice for the projects through real-life, professional experience. Without the industry-sponsored capstone projects, our students would not have as much professional exposure prior to graduation. The interactions with industry mentors give our students an advantage in the job market post-graduation.”  Students who participate in Scholar Showcase gain more than just experiences to highlight on a resume. They also learn soft skills, which will benefit them in the professional setting. These include teamwork, oral and written communication, working against deadlines and with prescribed parameters, translating complicated concepts, and presentation organization and delivery.   “These are benefits that cannot be obtained by sitting in a classroom,” Jackson said.  “Scholar Showcase is a low-stress environment within which our students can learn how to generate an impactful presentation.”  Caroline Wright, a history major, has conducted research related to the Graniteville Company, which shaped the economic growth in the university’s backyard and across the state. She explored labor relations and is currently transcribing the personal diaries and almanacs of William Gregg for the Gregg-Graniteville Archives. She made a couple of presentations during Scholar Showcase.  Some of the presenters are taking their research on the road. For example, Alexa Carnahan, a nursing student who graduated May 6, will present her research at the 37th International Nursing Research Congress for Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society this summer in Toronto. She and her co-authors collaborated with a professor in Germany when exploring people-pleasing tendencies among nursing students.  Several USCA students participated in the 10th annual Discover USC event, which celebrates and showcases students’ research, scholarship, creativity and leadership from across the USC system. More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate, medical scholar and postdoc presenters shared their projects. Almost 30 USCA students participated in Discover USC.   As the semester winds down, students and faculty are already gearing up for the next phase of their research, as Magellan Scholar awards were recently announced. This program allows for up to $2,500 per recipient for salary, materials or travel for projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. While many students will take a much-deserved break the next couple of months, several Pacers will continue conducting research. The USCA Center for Research Excellence recently announced members of the 2026 Summer Scholars Institute. As part of the program, students and their faculty advisors receive a $3,000 grant to support their research collaboration from May 25-July 31. The effort is funded by grants from the Department of Energy WORC program, National Institutes of Health INBRE awards, ADP and the USCA College of Sciences and Engineering.  “Undergraduate research projects are typically smaller portions of a faculty member’s overall research plan,” Jackson said.  “Our students are co-authors on faculty published research. This includes research publications and conference presentations.”  Pacers who earned special recognition at Discover USC    First Place, “Developing mPing-based Constructs for Transposase Assisted Target Site Integration”   Madison Hamlin, biology, mentored by Dr. C. Nathan Hancock   First Place, “The Trophic Stage of Egg Development in Livestock Pests”   Isabella Cardenas, biology, mentored by Dr. Mary Mills   First Place, “The Association Between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment, Identity Disturbance and Sexual Functioning in Emerging Adults”   Sam Keats, psychology, mentored by Dr. Bridget Cho   First Place, “Moments that Matter: A Student Nurse Approach to Communication with Patients Living with Dementia”   Ja'Daiza Johnson and Laura Boquist, nursing, mentored by Dr. Lachean Kimbrough and Professor Sarah McDaniel from USC Sumter   Second Place, “A closer look into egg development within Culicoides sonorensis midges”   Lucero Rodriguez, biology, mentored by Dr. Mary Mills   Second Place, “Bluetooth Low Energy Communication Security in Wearable IoT Devices: A Fitbit Sense 2 Case Study”   Andrew Bishop and Adriel Sosa, applied computer science, mentored by Dr. Hala Strohmier   Second Place, “Regulation of egg development in the livestock”   Madelyn Smith, mentored by Dr. Mary Mills   Second Place, “Genetic Analysis of the ‘Dwarf’ Soybean Mutant”   James Burns, biology, mentored Dr. Nathan Hancock   USCA Magellan Scholar Awards for Summer and Fall 2026   Tamea Chappelle and Emma Trotter, mentored by Dr. Dakoda Trithara for “Developers Assemble”    Addisen Alvanos and Sophia Collins, mentored Dr. Todd Hagstette and Deborah Harmon for “William Gregg Digital Edition”    Cassidy Green, mentored by Dr. Adam Pazda for “Examining Causality Between Cultural Mindsets and Help-seeking in Young Adults"     August Beltran, mentored by Dr. Mary Moussa Rogers for “What is Keeping Immigrant Families Resilient?”     Chloe Elizabeth Grigsby, mentored by Dr. Macie Kerbs for “Write to Read: An Encoding-centered Approach for Teaching Students with Dyslexia”    Summer Scholars Institute participants   Daniel Holton, mentored by Dr. Michelle Harmon  Tully Perkins, mentored by Dr. Titan Paul  Silas Martin, mentored by Dr. Bryan Borders  Micah Woodsmall, mentored by Dr. Brian Parr  Kaydee Croom, mentored by Dr. Ken Roberts  Hayley Stack, mentored by Dr. Laura Swain  Harrison Durrant, mentored by Dr. Derek Zelmer  Elisha McCanick, mentored by Dr. Yilian Zhang  Clayton Isgett, mentored by Dr. Derek Zelmer  Alyssa Godfrey, mentored by Dr. Kristina Ramstad  Aharon Nesbitt, mentored by Dr. Teiling Chen  Valerie Ruvalcaba, mentored by Dr. Della Sirizi  Ronit Deepak Sawant, mentored by Dr. Eslam Hasan  Skye Ese Oduaran of North Augusta High School, mentored by Dr. Ken Roberts  Arnav Nikhil Patel of Lakeside High School, mentored by Dr. Ken Roberts  Ian Sarbin of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Neil Miller  Penelope Carr of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Laura Swain  Prisha Bhavsar of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Nathan Hancock   Clark Orton of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Yillian Zhang  Camille Walls of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. April Delaurier  Ella Kanitar of Lexington High School, mentored by Dr. Della Sirizi  Richard Knight of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Titan Paul   

One local entrepreneur and community leader puts her passion for others’ success into action at USCA.  Dr. Liz Stewart routinely invests her time, talent, expertise and resources into programs, scholarships and initiatives that ensure Pacers achieve their personal, academic and professional goals.  She has a special penchant for the entrepreneurial spirit and often develops programs and opportunities that foster start-up foundations and long-term success of students going into business for themselves.   Her philanthropy is centered on the Dr. Liz Stewart Innovation Program Fund, which fuels bold, creative ideas that drive meaningful progress across the university. The fund empowers faculty and staff to pursue projects beyond existing operations, opening new pathways for excellence. Selection for support is both a mark of distinction and a recognition of innovative thinking that moves USCA forward.  “Liz’s generosity is both transformative and contagious. She not only invests in ideas and people; she inspires others to do the same, strengthening the culture of innovation that defines USCA,” said Daniel P. Elwell, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations.  For her longstanding support to the university, USCA Chancellor Daniel Heimmermann awarded Stewart an honorary doctorate degree in public service during the spring commencement ceremony May 6. The honor was also based on Stewart’s outstanding leadership in business and organizational development; her unwavering commitment to community service and economic advancement; and her mentorship of students, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders. Stewart’s impact extends deeply into the Aiken community and USCA. She currently chairs the Aiken Partnership Board and the USCA School of Business Administration Advisory Board, and has played a key role in strengthening connections between the university and regional business leaders.   As one of USCA’s critical partners, she has been actively engaged in strategic planning efforts, served twice as executive-in-residence, and mentored countless students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Her commitment includes not only her time and expertise, but also her philanthropic support through her namesake innovation program fund.  A dedicated civic leader, Stewart has served on more than 80 boards and commissions, including leadership roles with the Aiken County Planning Commission, Rural Health Services, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and numerous nonprofit and cultural organizations. Her contributions have been widely recognized, including honors as Aiken Chamber Woman of the Year, USCA Distinguished Partner, and USCA Distinguished Citizen of the Year.  Stewart, chair emerita of Stewart and Associates, Inc., is a nationally recognized leader in organizational development, strategic planning, and executive leadership. She earned several degrees from the University of Florida, including an undergraduate degree in education with specializations in Spanish and French, a master’s degree in psychology, a doctorate in economics, and a juris doctor.  She began her career with Xerox Corporation, where she served for 15 years in roles of increasing responsibility, ultimately becoming the company’s first female vice president in organizational development and strategic planning services. In 1984, she founded Stewart and Associates, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations operate more effectively through leadership development, human resource strategy, and organizational change. In four decades, the firm grew to more than 200 employees and served clients ranging from entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 100 companies.   In 2022, she transitioned ownership of the company to its employees, further demonstrating her commitment to leadership and sustainability.  A prolific thought leader, Stewart is the author of “Back to the Basics in Strategic Planning and Leading the Disciplined Organization.” She is widely sought as a speaker and advisor, known for her ability to connect with leaders at every level — from corporate executives to community volunteers.  “Dr. Stewart has long been a steadfast champion for this university and for our students. Her commitment runs deeper than advocacy. She is driven to ensure others succeed, and she invests herself fully in that mission,” Heimmermann said.   “Because of her mentorship and unwavering dedication, countless Pacers, including members of our faculty, have realized meaningful academic, personal and professional success.” 

The Enterprise Mobility Foundation™ recently invested $10,000 in Pacers’ success, awarding a grant to USCA’s  that will be used to spruce up the hub of students’ workforce development and create innovative new programs.  “Supporting the USC Aiken Career Services Center allows us to uplift emerging talent, strengthen local career pathways, and continue building a workforce rooted in excellence, opportunity, and upward mobility. It’s a partnership we value deeply — and one we’re proud to continue investing in,” said Chelsey Roulier, Enterprise Mobility Group Talent Acquisition Manager.   The grant not only allows more professional development services for students, but it has also resulted in physical improvements to the career services office.   “As a small office with a limited budget, we are extremely grateful for the support. Our current student work counter, where students can utilize computers and other career services resources, was only possible because of this grant,” said Corey Feraldi, director of USCA’s Office of Career Services.   Career Services connects students with employers for internships or permanent jobs; assists with resume writing; conducts mock interviews; and offers career counseling. Additional programs like job fairs, career panels, the Leadership USCA program, and the College To Career Readiness program help students drive toward a successful future.  “At Enterprise Mobility, we believe it’s important to have strong partnerships — and our relationship with USCA is a perfect example of that. Investing in USCA students is an investment in the future of our workforce and our region,” said Roulier.  “By partnering with the Career Center and supporting its programs, we help ensure that students have access to the resources, guidance, and real‑world experience they need to confidently take their next steps. Preparation equips students with the professional readiness and leadership skills that make them strong candidates for employers across the state.”  The mission of the Enterprise Mobility Foundation is to strengthen the communities where Enterprise Mobility team members live and work by actively supporting a range of charitable   causes such as the environment, health and human services, education, military and disaster relief. The Foundation has contributed more than half a billion dollars to thousands of local nonprofits in the United States and made wide-reaching commitments — from global philanthropic initiatives to community focused projects.  Enterprise Mobility has been a longstanding university partner.  “We look forward to continuing our strong relationship,” Feraldi said. 

Ainhoa Colino, USCA’s Outstanding Senior Student addressed family, friends and fellow Pacers during the annual Academic Honors ceremony on May 5 in the Etherredge Center and during commencement rehearsal on May 6 in the Convocation Center. The international student from Spain, graduated May 6 with a 4.0 GPA. Carmen Williams, director of alumni relations, presented Colino the Outstanding Senior Student award during USCA’s spring commencement ceremony. Below are Colino’s remarks, and the video of her presentation is above. Thank you, to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Samaha, and thank you to the committee for selecting me for this award.   It is an honor to be recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Senior Student. I transferred to USC Aiken as a junior, and from the moment I arrived, I was determined to make the most out of my time here. Over these past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on multiple research projects and present at conferences across the country, while also balancing my role as a cross-country athlete and serving in leadership positions as a resident mentor, Global Ambassador, athletics department assistant, and cardiac rehabilitation assistant. For those who don’t know me, I’m an international student from Spain.   Four years ago, I boarded a plane to South Carolina by myself, with just two suitcases and a head full of questions. At the time, four years felt like a lifetime, but standing here today, it’s hard to believe how quickly it all passed. And I know many of you feel the same way.   My journey wasn’t really a straight path. I spent my first two years at a school in Columbia, South Carolina, before transferring to USC Aiken. That transition meant starting over; making new friendships, connecting with new professors, and finding my place all over again.   There were moments of doubt, and yes, a lot of tears at the beginning. My parents and close friends are witnesses to that. But, somewhere along the way, this place became home.   USC Aiken has given me friendships and memories I will carry with me forever, and I will never be grateful enough for them. This university has seen me grow not only as a student, but as a person, and it is because of those experiences and opportunities that I am standing here today.  I would like to say a special thank you to both my professors and mentors,  Dr. [Adam] Pazda and Dr. [Brian] Parr, who have encouraged me to become the best version of myself and have made me realize that every opportunity is worth taking. Thank you as well to the exercise and sports science and psychology departments for pushing me beyond my comfort zone and opening doors I never imagined. And thank you to my research mentor, Dr. [Alexandra] Roach, for giving me my first opportunity in research and sparking my passion for the electrophysiology of pain.   To my cross-country coach, Jim Sprecher, thank you for helping me rediscover my love for the sport and for always taking such great care of me and my teammates.   To the faculty and students who make this campus feel like a second home for me, thank you.   And to all the friends I have made along the way, this award is just as much yours as it is mine. You welcomed me as one of your own, supported and loved me unconditionally, and became my family away from home.   I will be forever grateful.   Now, I want to turn to the most important people in my life, my family, who flew 4,300 miles just to be here with me today.   Aita y ama, quiero daros las gracias por haber estado siempre a mi lado y por creer en mí incluso cuando yo no lo hacía. Ha sido un camino de muchos altibajos, y muchas lágrimas, pero sé que todo ha merecido la pena. Me siento muy afortunada de teneros conmigo, sobre todo en un día tan importante como hoy.  Thank you again to everyone who has shaped my college experience in any way. I would not be standing here without you. I will carry everything this place has given me into whatever comes next.  Make the most of every moment in these final days; these are memories you will carry with you forever. While this chapter at USC Aiken might be coming to an end, it’s only the beginning of everything that comes next. I wish you courage, success, and happiness wherever your path leads.