School of Nursing

USCA held its annual Academic Honors Ceremony on May 5 in the Etherredge Center, recognizing students from across the campus for their academic excellence.  “You have excelled in your studies, and we recognize your commitment to excellence,” Dr. Phillip Bridgmon, provost, told the students at the start of the ceremony.  Ainhoa Colino, originally from Spain, was chosen as the Outstanding Senior Student. She speaks five languages and graduated May 6 with a 4.0 GPA and a degree in psychology and exercise and sports science.   “It is an honor to be recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Senior Student,” she said. “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.  “Thank you again to everyone who has shaped my college experience in any way. I will carry everything this place has given me into whatever comes next.”  Multiple students were recognized by the deans of each college or school and for research conducted with faculty advisors.  “I’m extremely proud of each of you,” said Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor. “The journey does not end here. It’s the beginning.”  “Challenge yourselves, press on and embrace opportunities.”   Magellan Scholars   Emily Walker, “Syntheses and Analyses of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Separation of Water Isotopologues”   Austin Powell, “Is Tobacco Free Really Tobacco Free?”   Skylar Shirey, “Embracing LIFE: Examining the Attitudes about Individuals with Disabilities at a Comprehensive Institution to Promote Learning is For Everyone (LIFE)”   August Beltran, “What is Keeping Immigrant Families Resilient?”  Palmer McCay, “Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project: Wartime Expectations, Realities, and Reflections”   Samantha Keats, “Associations Among Childhood Emotional Maltreatment, Identity Disturbance, and Sexual Functioning”   Cassidy Green, “Examining Causality Between Cultural Mindsets and Help-seeking in Young Adults”  Winifred Branscum, “Examining Decision-Making and P300 Amplitudes in Individuals Exhibiting Successful Life Redirection Following Adverse Childhood Experiences”  Kamya Brooks, “Political Fandoms & Misinformation: Examining the Role of Fan Culture in Political Discourse”  Chloe Elizabeth Grigsby, “Write to Read: An Encoding-centered Approach for Teaching Students with Dyslexia”  William Garlick, “The Biological Carbon Pump in the Gulf of Mexico: Insights from Sediment Trap Fluxes”  Isabella Cardenas and Lucero Rodriguez Lopez, “Teasing apart egg development in Culicoides sonorensis midges.”   Tamea Chappelle and Emma Trotter, “Developers Assemble”  Addisen Alvanos and Laurie Collins, “William Gregg – Digital Edition”   Malia Tatyanna Patten, Allaina Rayne Szilveszter, and Ainhoa Colino, "Measuring mindfulness with electro-physiology: A pain perception study”  Samantha Owen, "Investigating the roles of rcor1 and rcor2 in zebrafish development"   Sanja Becnel, “The relationship between attachment anxiety and zero-sum thinking”     Honors Program Graduates     Emory Owens, biology  Alexa Carnahan, nursing  Andrew Towner, nursing  James Saxon, biology  Emily Walker, chemistry    Library Research Award  Caroline Wright, “The Graniteville Manufacturing Company’s Textile Worker Strike of October 1933”  Alexa Carnahan, “The Need to Please: People-Pleasing Tendencies in Prelicensure Nursing Students”     College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science  Imogen Veal, Mona L. Martin Prize in First-year Writing  Laurie Collins, Phebe Davidson Prize in Creative Writing  Laurie Collins, Virginia Kaplan Writing Award   Kirstie McElmurray, Outstanding Student in English  Kylie Michelle Burns, Ernestine B. Law Communication Student of the Year  Katie Carter, Outstanding Student of the Year in Emerging Media  Angela Grace Hayden, Outstanding Online Palmetto College   Sela Groomes, Albin Beyer Excellence in Art Award  Vivica Birt, Richard S. Maltz Excellence in Music Award  Beth Smith, Jack P. Benjamin Excellence in Theatre Award  Palmer McCay, Outstanding Student in History  Elenora Gazzelli, Outstanding Student in Political Science  Kylie Michelle Burns, Outstanding Student in Sociology     College of Sciences and Engineering  Lauren Strock, Outstanding Student in Biology  William Garlick, Outstanding Student in Geology  Emily Walker, Outstanding Student in Chemistry   Peri Rouillard, Outstanding Student in Physics  Savanna Spires, Outstanding Student in Exercise and Sports Science  Samantha Burns, Outstanding Student in Applied Mathematics  Denton Spivey, Outstanding Student in Applied Computer Science  Chadburn Wells Heath II, Outstanding Student in Cybersecurity  Aidan Clayton, Outstanding Student in Engineering  Sanja Becnel, Outstanding Student in Psychology  Jessica Ann Brannam, Outstanding Graduate Student in Psychology    School of Business Administration  Ian Dumas, Outstanding Student in Accounting  Logan Page, Outstanding Student in Management  Lindsey Greene, Outstanding Student in Marketing  Jenna Couch, Outstanding Student in Finance  Paula Gant, Outstanding MBA Student    School of Education   Skylar Davis, Outstanding Student in Early Childhood Education  Brenne Hoeven, Outstanding Student in Elementary Education  Bailey Davis, Outstanding Student in Middle Level Education   Kayla Cox, Outstanding Student in Secondary Education   Skylar Shirey, Outstanding Student in Special Education   Stephanie Bell, Outstanding Student in the Master of Education in Educator Leadership    School of Nursing  Alexa Carnahan, Outstanding Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student  Philip Joel Harris, Jr., Outstanding RN-BSN Student 

For most students, graduating from college marks a personal milestone that’s years in the making. However, for triplets Sydney, Alex and Zane Yongue, it’s a shared achievement, one they’ve been working toward side by side their entire lives. On May 6, all three siblings will cross the stage together, each earning a degree from USCA. Sydney will receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, while Alex and Zane will graduate with degrees in applied computer science, with minors in business. Originally from Gilbert, South Carolina, the trio didn’t always plan to attend the same college. Like many of their peers, they initially considered larger universities. But after visiting USCA, they quickly realized it offered exactly what they were looking for: a close-knit community, strong academic programs and the opportunity to get involved. “It was the right fit for all of us,” Zane said. “Even if we had chosen differently at first, we’d still pick here again.” Despite sharing the same campus, their college experiences have been shaped by different academic paths. Sydney says it’s been tough to get involved on campus due to the rigorous course load from the nursing program, but it will all be worth it as she prepares for a healthcare career. After graduation, she will begin a nurse residency at Prisma Health Richland in Columbia, where she plans to work as a cardiac nurse caring for post-surgical patients. “It’s exciting to finally take that next step,” Sydney said. “There’s still a lot to learn, but I feel prepared.” Alex and Zane, meanwhile, pursued careers in technology. Both studied Applied Computer Science, though each carved out a slightly different focus, one in software development and the other in cybersecurity. As they prepare to enter the workforce, they are navigating a competitive job market while remaining optimistic about their future. “Getting your foot in the door is the biggest challenge right now,” Alex said. “But we’ve learned a lot, and we’re ready to apply it.” Outside the classroom, Alex and Zane made the most of their college experience by getting involved across campus. From Greek life and Campus Outreach to working together as caddies at Old Barnwell, a private golf club in Aiken, they built connections and developed skills that extended beyond academics. “The opportunities here really push you to get involved,” they said. “You start out unsure, but then you realize how much there is to do and how easy it is to make an impact.” Even with busy schedules, the siblings found ways to stay connected. Whether it was catching up during the week, working out, a shared hobby they all enjoyed, or supporting one another through challenges, their bond remained constant. “We didn’t see each other every day,” Sydney said. “But that made the time we did spend together more meaningful.” One of the most defining influences on their journey, they say, has been their shared faith. Through the ups and downs of college life, it provided a foundation of support and resilience. “That’s something that’s been important to all three of us. It’s helped us grow and get through difficult moments together,” Sydney said. Their impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Faculty and staff describe the Yongue siblings as highly engaged students who have made meaningful contributions to campus life. “It’s special to see all three of them graduating together,” said Eric Fulwider, campus director of Campus Outreach at USCA. “That’s not something you can take for granted. They’ve also been very active on campus, which makes it even more impressive.” As graduation approaches, the triplets are embracing the moment, a rare and remarkable milestone that reflects years of shared experiences, individual growth and support for one another. “I never thought I’d be ready to leave,” one of them admitted. “But now, I’m excited for what’s next.”

“As a teaching library, our focus is on helping students navigate the ever-evolving information environment by teaching them not only how to find information, but how to think critically about it and use it effectively,” said Dr. Lisa Ennis, dean of the library. “The University Library Committee created these awards to recognize students who have gone beyond finding information to truly engage with all aspects of the research process, such as Alexa and Caroline.”  The Undergraduate Library Research Award aims to recognize and celebrate academic excellence among USCA students who demonstrate significant use of the Gregg-Graniteville Library’s collections, resources, and services. This award seeks to highlight students’ abilities to engage in scholarly or creative projects, showcasing their critical analysis and research skills through a reflective essay on the research process.  “The award celebrates the integration of library resources into the research process of our students,” said Dr. Ángel Rañales, Spanish professor and chair of the Library Committee.  Each recipient will be recognized during the Academic Honors Ceremony in May and will receive $250. The Gregg-Graniteville Endowed Library Fund supports the award.  Wright earned her award for the research she conducted for a paper written for an anthropology course. “The Graniteville Manufacturing Company’s Textile Worker Strike of October 1933” highlighted social movements and change at a local mill not far from the university.  “Searching the Gregg-Graniteville Archives’ finding aids supplied me with an absolute gold-mine of information: a scrapbook of newspapers from the time period chronicling the events of the strike,” she said.  “I found a plethora of primary source material, including firsthand accounts from individuals on the front lines of the protests. I used the information in this scrapbook as a framework around which to build my case. To do this, I worked to prove the legitimacy of the information provided in the scrapbook by finding corroborating information in other Graniteville Company administrative documents.”  Wright combed through the archives for accounting records from the time period to compare the average Graniteville Company worker’s pay with the average pay for textile workers at the time.   “What I ended up finding provided more insight than I could have hoped for,” she said.  “I would have been completely incapable of completing this assignment if not for the materials made available by the Gregg-Graniteville Library and Archives.”  While working on her senior capstone project, Carnahan explored people-pleasing tendencies among prelicensure nursing students through a cross-sectional survey-based study.   The research process required gathering background literature, creating and distributing an original survey, data collection, analyzing descriptive statistics, group differences, identifying correlations of variables, and will conclude with dissemination and possibly publication.   “The Gregg-Graniteville Library's collections, databases, workshops, tools, and academic librarians were invaluable at every stage of conducting high-quality, evidence-based research,” she said.  “I relied on the library's access to nursing and health sciences databases. Nursing liaison librarian Professor Deborah Harmon made support easy and consistent. She visited all our writing-intensive nursing classes in person, offered on-the-spot help, held office hours in the nursing building, and was always available for one-on-one appointments.”  Carnahan credits the library’s workshops, drop-in availability, and welcoming staff for her research confidence, which has strengthened during her time on campus.  “They showed me how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively — skills essential for evidence-based nursing. In short, the university library turned a complex capstone into a structured and well-supported project.   “I am beyond grateful for the Gregg-Graniteville library’s guidance and empowerment to apply strong research habits throughout my academic and professional nursing career.”  A panel of Library Committee members and one representative from the library evaluates the award submissions.  They examine the project's quality, research depth, library resources used and students' reflections on the research process.  

More than 85 organizations and graduate school programs participated in USCA’s annual Career and Graduate School Fair on March 4. The event provided students with a variety of workforce, internship and career opportunities across multiple fields. According to Corey Feraldi, director of Career Services, this year’s fair featured the highest number of participating organizations to date. Participating employers represented a wide range of industries, including Aiken Regional Medical Centers, the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County and the City of Aiken Department of Public Safety, among many others. The event was sponsored by Aurubis Richmond, COMPA Industries, Cintas and Evans Management Group. “It’s really a chance for students to make connections and start getting early experience,” Feraldi said. “At least half of the employers who attend offer internships, which is important for students to consider as they build their careers.” This year’s event also featured a significant number of graduate programs, allowing students to explore academic opportunities beyond a bachelor’s degree. Feraldi said more than 100 graduate degree programs were represented by the universities in attendance. “For students who may be thinking about graduate school but aren’t sure where to start, this gives them a chance to talk directly with universities,” he said. “They can learn about the admissions process, what programs are offered and what might be the right fit.” Freshmen Kira Bostick, a process engineering major, and Savannah Yerger, a mechanical engineering major, were eager to explore what the career fair had to offer, particularly internship opportunities within the engineering field. “I definitely want an internship, more on the aerospace side of things,” Yerger said. “Mechanical engineering can also branch into areas like computer science, so my options are broad in terms of what I’m looking for. Ultimately, I’d like to secure a job after graduation and go straight into the workforce.” Vincent Bush III, a senior majoring in psychology, shared similar goals as he prepares to graduate in December. “I’m hoping to find a job before enrolling in graduate school,” Bush said. “I’m really hoping to find something that’s in the realm of what I like to do, which is helping people.” Like Bush, freshman Andraya Williams is also a psychology major. She attended the fair to learn more about opportunities in the field, particularly with organizations such as the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County. “I’m very interested in learning more about children’s behavior,” Williams said. “I would love to learn more about child development and growth.” Events like USCA’s Career and Graduate School Fair continue to serve as a bridge between students and their future careers, offering opportunities to network with employers, explore industries and learn about graduate education. Through events hosted by the university’s Career Services department, students can connect directly with employers and academic institutions while gaining insight into the skills and experiences needed to succeed after graduation. As the number of participating organizations continues to grow each year, the fair remains an important step in helping USCA students prepare for the next stage of their professional journeys.

USCA nursing students attended South Carolina Nurse Legislative Day on Feb. 26 at the State House in Columbia.   As part of the day’s program, they met with members of the Aiken County Legislative Delegation, discussing two pieces of legislation that may impact the students once they’ve earned their nursing degrees and are working in the health care industry. “There were so many nurses there, and it was such a good learning experience for me to see how I can be involved when I graduate,” said USCA nursing student Hannah McDowell, USCA ‘26.  “It's so important to meet with these representatives because although they might be our patients, they may not be nurses or health care workers, so we must inform them why these policies are so important, whether that be through facts or personal experience.” Lawmakers are currently considering an amendment to South Carolina House Bill 3093, section 16-3-600, relating to assault and battery of a health care worker, and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Full Practice Authority Bill, South Carolina House Bill 3580 and Senate 45. Proponents of these actions believe they give nurses more protection and greater authority when caring for patients. “This experience was very insightful to see how leaders can make a difference,” said Lauren King, USCA ‘26. “I was able to see firsthand how nurses come together from all over the state to use their voices to help make an impact on health care.  “It is so important to meet with the local representatives in our community because they, too, can use their voice to help advocate and educate on the issues we are experiencing as nurses and seeing as nursing students. I was able to meet with representatives from different counties and talk more about the important issues that nurses are facing such as workplace violence, surgical smoke, and practicing full scope of nursing."  After meeting with the lawmakers, Rep. Charlie Hartz (SC-District 81) recognized USCA School of Nursing students and Rep. Leon “Doug” Gilliam (SC-District 42) from Union recognized the USCA SON students at Union from the house floor. “It was a great day for our students and nurses in South Carolina,” said Dr. Katie Chargualauf, dean of the USCA School of Nursing.

A $2 million state investment is helping the USCA's School of Nursing to expand and modernize how it prepares the next generation of health care professionals. The grant follows U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s recent efforts to secure nearly $150 million for infrastructure and workforce development projects across South Carolina through the passage of the third Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package. Dr. Katie Chargualaf, dean for the School of Nursing, says the investment will allow for more realistic hands-on learning experiences for students. “Upgrading our equipment and modernizing the space in the high-fidelity simulation lab will allow students to learn in environments that closely mirror what they will see in real practice,” Chargualaf said. “These enhancements will allow us to replicate hospital rooms, complex patient conditions, and emergency situations.” Additionally, funding will assist with audiovisual technology, enhancing students’ ability to record, review and debrief simulations. “Up to 50% of clinical hours may be replaced with simulation, but only with the right infrastructure. These upgrades will help us expand simulation use and grow enrollment,” Chargualaf added. The grant will also fund classroom renovations, creating more collaborative, comfortable and technology-rich learning environments that support team-based learning. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, workforce projections show a large portion of the U.S. nursing workforce is approaching retirement age, with 1 million expected to leave the profession by 2030. South Carolina is projected to see a shortage of 7,250 nurses, a 12% deficit in employed registered nurses, making it the eighth-highest projected shortfall in the nation. “These numbers tell us we must act now, not later,” Chargualaf said. “At the same time, our simulation lab and classrooms need to be updated to meet today’s health care demands. Without modernization of our facilities and technology, we simply cannot increase enrollment, expand clinical training capacity, or continue producing practice ready graduates.” Graham also touted the need for workforce development to support the state’s growth. “As one of the fastest growing states in the nation, the future of South Carolina depends on robust infrastructure systems and a well-trained workforce. I am very pleased that this appropriations package fulfills these needs,” Graham said. “By funding important educational initiatives across vocational schools, four-year colleges, and post-secondary university programs, South Carolina companies will have access to a competitive labor force equipped to fill the jobs of the 21st century.” The new funding aligns with both the School of Nursing and USCA strategic plans. At the university level, priority one emphasizes experiential learning for all students, which is directly supported by modernized simulation labs and classrooms. Strategic priority two focuses on meeting regional workforce needs. With nursing identified as a critical shortage area in South Carolina, expanding training capacity allows the program to respond directly to that demand. Priority four highlights enhancing the campus experience through upgraded facilities and technology. This project advances that goal by creating a more modern and student-centered learning environment. Lastly, priority five encourages securing external funding to support the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program’s growth. This Congressional directed spending investment provides essential resources beyond what tuition alone can support. Chargualaf looks forward to sharing news about the timeline for renovations as it is finalized.