Faculty & Staff

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.”

USCA’s Veterans Honor Society Pi Alpha Sigma inducted its newest members during a ceremony April 28 in the Etherredge Center.   “Each of us here today have not just reached the finish line — we ran through it,” said Ian Chisholm, an Air Force veteran who is double majoring in mechanical and process engineering and spoke during the induction ceremony.   “As I stand here in front of you, I am not only reminded of what you did to achieve this accomplishment, but what you didn’t do.  Everything you traded off, paused, or halted to see this mission through. I challenge each of you to take a moment to reflect and recognize those who have supported you along the way.  Make sure they know how much you appreciate their support in both the easy times and the tough ones.”   Becoming a member of Pi Alpha Sigma is a culmination of hard work and academic excellence. The induction recognizes veterans, military service members, military spouses, and military family members who have exemplified outstanding academic achievement throughout their college careers. The Spring 2026 cohort includes more than 40 students who will graduate May 6 with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for undergraduates and at least a 3.25 for graduate students, two of whom earned a 4.0.  “Today, we serve more than 500 veteran and military-connected students — a cohort that continues to expand each year. Out of 203 veteran and military students eligible for graduation in 2026, we are proud to celebrate the 25 percent graduating with honors,” said Tristan Stone, assistant director, Office of Veteran and Military Student Success.  Students founded USCA’s Pi Alpha Sigma in 2014 with the goal of helping militarily connected students in their academic pursuits, recognize outstanding academic achievements, raise graduation rates among the military cohort, and cultivate a stronger sense of community.  As they pursued their degrees, these students leveraged several Veterans Administration and Department of Defense programs to defray costs of tuition, allowing them to graduate with little to no financial obligation. Assistance for these students includes the VA’s GI Bill, DoD Tuition Assistance, the Nursing Enlisted Commissioning Program for active service members, and USCA’s Active Service Member Tuition Discount for undergraduate coursework. This year, Stone’s office processed more than 1,600 student VA GI Bill benefits to ensure students had the funds to pay for school, books, and housing.  In addition to these programs, several community members have endowed scholarships for military-related students, including newly created programs for military spouses.    These benefits allowed each inductee to focus on their academic achievements rather than spending their time trying to figure out the finances of degree completion.   With a commitment to providing a high-quality education at an affordable cost, USCA offers tuition rates well below the national average. Approximately 30 percent of currently enrolled undergraduate students have full tuition covered by scholarships and grants. Around 40 percent of students in the last fiscal year graduating class who started at USCA as freshmen graduated with no student loans.   “Pi Alpha Sigma’s signature phrase defines us: ‘Tomorrow’s Warriors of Wisdom.’ That phrase is not just a motto,” Stone said. “It acknowledges our sacrifice, honors our service, and challenges each of us to carry that same dedication forward through education and leadership.”  This year, USCA once again earned the Military Friendly® “Gold” School designation and was ranked as the #7 Military Friendly Spouse School. “The significance is seeing the national recognition for the hard work USCA puts forth to ensure our veteran and military student community has what they need for academic success,” said Robert Murphy, executive director of Military Affairs and External Programs at USCA. “These students often have multiple factors that make completing their degree a little more challenging. Knowing this, the Veteran and Military Student Success Center team connects with and fosters a success mindset from the first day a military-connected student walks on campus,” Murphy said.  Pi Alpha Sigma Spring 2026 Inductees  Lee Anthony, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Biology Lesley Barksdale, Military Family Member, Nursing William “Seth” Bickford, Army National Guard, Applied Computer Science James Burns, U.S. Army Veteran, Biology Samantha Burns, U.S. Army Veteran, Applied Mathematics Ian Chisholm, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Mechanical and Process Engineering Kadin DeMesme, Military Family Member, Applied Computer Science Alexis Eade, Military Spouse, Nursing Michael “Mick” Foster, U.S. Navy Veteran & British Army Veteran, Environmental Earth Systems Elenora Gazzelli, South Carolina Army National Guard (ROTC Cadet), Political Science Breana Ginn, Military Family Member, Applied Mathematics Edgar Gonzalez, U.S. Army Veteran, Applied Computer Science Shelby Hanna, Military Family Member, Master of Business Administration Rori Hanna, Military Family Member, Exercise and Sports Science Sairielys Hernandez-Cruz, South Carolina Army National Guard (ROTC Cadet), Political Science Lemar Jackson, U.S. Navy Veteran, Master of Business Administration Irvon Malcolm, South Carolina Army National Guard (ROTC Cadet), Applied Computer Science Reagan McCann, Military Family Member, Business Administration Chelsea McCants, South Carolina Army National Guard, Elementary Education Chantel McCollough, Military Spouse, Master of Business Administration Ali Samaha, South Carolina Army National Guard Army National Guard (ROTC Cadet), Exercise and Sports Science Katherine Santiago-Loaeza, U.S. Army Service Member, Business Administration Gina Stone, Military Family Member, Nursing Allainna Szilveszter, Military Family Member, Psychology Shania Underwood, U.S. Army Veteran, Nursing   Franklin Whiteside, U.S. Army Veteran, Mechanical Engineering Bryn Williams, South Carolina Army National Guard (ROTC Cadet), Exercise and Sports Science Laura Boquist, Military Spouse, Nursing David Daniels, U.S. Army Veteran, Master of Business Administration Paula Gant, Military Spouse, Master of Business Administration Lauren Gross, Military Family Member, Nursing Brian Hunt, U.S. Army Service Member, Master of Business Administration Ashley Jenkins, Military Spouse, Nursing Thomas Keays, U.S. Army Veteran Master of Business Administration Danielle Kuzmanich, U.S. Navy Veteran, Master of Business Administration Ja’Daiza Leigh, U.S. Air Force Service Member, Nursing Katherine Pollock, U.S. Air Force Service Member, Nursing Seth Thompson, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Master of Business Administration James Turner, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Master of Business Administration Andrea Walton, U.S. Air Force Service Member, Nursing Tiffany Washington, U.S. Army Veteran, Nursing 

Growing up on a small family farm, first in Florida and then in Barnwell, South Carolina, helped prepare one soon-to-be graduate for the rigors of a hospital’s fast-paced intensive care step-down unit, which is where she’ll work shortly after earning her nursing degree from USCA on May 6.  Alexa Carnahan’s family had the normal menagerie of farm animals when she was growing up. Her favorite, though, was her pet mini-potbellied pig, Clementine. Until she moved into the dorm her freshman year, the down-to-earth duo spent most of their time together, as Carnahan was homeschooled through Connections Academy, an exclusively online academic program, until she went to USCA.   Discovering her passion  Caring for Clementine, who’s now 8, helped foster Carnahan’s commitment to compassionate care, getting to know patients and identifying their needs, even when they may not be able to articulate them.   “When I needed an escape from college, I’d go home to take care of Clementine and the other animals,” she said.  As the oldest of four, with her youngest sister 16 years younger than she is, Carnahan often took care of her brothers and sisters as well.  “I grew up being a sisterly figure, and my siblings mean the world to me,” she said.  While her nurturing relationships with her farm animals, younger siblings, and pet pig fostered her work ethic, her true passion for nursing stems from her late grandmother, who was a licensed practical nurse. When her beloved grandparents’ health was failing, she saw the impact of nurses who truly cared about both their patients and the families involved. What sealed her decision was visiting the USCA School of Nursing.  “A lot of the people I love have been in hospitals. I’ve seen good nurses and bad ones and the true difference they can make. I saw how nurses can make patients feel better, bring them comfort, help them meet their goals, and most importantly, involve their family,” Carnahan said.   From these experiences, she knew she, too, wanted a purposeful career, specifically providing patients with intentional, thoughtful and compassionate care, regardless of their diagnoses, prognoses or ages and stages of life.  “I want to be the ‘good’ nurse.”  Discovering her place  When it came time to explore colleges that would help her meet that goal, it was more than just finding a university with rigorous academic programs that readied her for her chosen profession. The campus had to be just right. After all, when she attended college courses as a freshman, it would mark the first time she’d ever set foot in a classroom with other students. It would be the first time she’d ever had a roommate. Even with three siblings, Carnahan had her own room at home and never had to share her private space or negotiate shared expectations with a randomly chosen roommate.   “Since first grade, I’d never been in a classroom, so that was a first,” she said. “I had to learn to live away from home and coordinate my schedule and routine on my own. It was very different from being at home with my family all the time. It required a lot of autonomy, which I feel like I had a great foundation in since I was in charge of my own classwork in Connections Academy.”   Like most high schoolers, she explored several colleges from around the state: Carolina, Clemson, Lander and Beaufort, among others. One visit, though, and she knew USCA what the place for her.   “I’d never set foot on the campus until I came to visit during an open house,” Carnahan said. “I fell in love with the campus. It wasn’t too far from home, and while I was moving away from home, I saw myself here.”   Once on campus her freshman year, she vowed to make the most of her experience and got involved with a host of student organizations. She says she’s enjoyed taking advantage of the full collegiate experience offered, whether that includes academic, social or professional opportunities. One experience she’s particularly enjoyed, and which may impact others in significant ways, is her undergraduate research.   Discovering her profession   As part of the USCA Honors Program, which requires a capstone research project, Carnahan examined people-pleasing tendencies among nursing students across the nation.    “We know that many students choose a career in nursing because they want to help people. We found that nursing students were more likely to be people-pleasers than those in the general population,” said Dr. Mary Gaffney, associate professor in the USCA School of Nursing who collaborated with Carnahan on the research.   “People-pleasers tend to be more likely to place others' needs before their own or avoid speaking up to prevent conflict. Nurses may be at greater risk for burnout because in the healthcare environment, we can't always make everyone happy, whether that's patients and families or members of the healthcare team. Now that we know this about students, nursing programs may want to place more emphasis on preparing students to deal with internal struggles related to this phenomenon so that they don't experience burnout and leave the profession.”   Carnahan has presented her findings at academic conferences, including the annual Scholar Showcase on the USCA campus and Discover USC on Columbia’s campus. She has also been selected to participate in the 37th International Nursing Research Congress for Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society this summer in Toronto. She is one of three authors, the others being Gaffney and Dr. Christian Blötner, a psychology professor at Fern University in Germany.    “I loved the experience of conducting research and working with the unbeatable, top-notch faculty who always had time to help me,” Carnahan said. “When I was in doubt, I always had someone on the faculty to go to, who I knew would truly make a difference and know me by name. I never thought I was capable of research, but now I know I am, and I’m ready for it when I go to graduate school.”   She will graduate with a 3.9 GPA and a host of leadership and social experiences on campus that have helped shape her into a prepared professional and engaged citizen, making a difference in her community.   “Academically, Alexa is top notch,” said Dr. Michelle Vieyra, director of the USCA Honors Program. “Nursing is arguably one of the most challenging majors we have at USCA, and she has managed to excel from her very first semester here. But there are a lot of students with great GPAs at USCA. Where Alexa really shines is in all of the areas where she has served the campus.”   Discovering her people  During the spring semester of her freshman year, Carnahan joined one of the sororities on campus. She credits her Greek Life experiences with an unexpected transformation.   "Being in Alpha Omicron Pi helped me to come out of my shell and get involved socially on campus,” Carnahan said.   "I have met some of my best friends, have held several executive positions, and have helped plan and execute many fundraising and educational events for our international philanthropy, the Arthritis Foundation.”   Carnahan worked in the library and the Writing Center and has held leadership roles in several student organizations. She wrote the charter to create the Honors Student Organization, expanding the Honors Program beyond just academics to include more social events and service and leadership opportunities. Carnahan served as president of the club for two years.   “There are a lot of brilliant students at USCA who get good grades and do interesting research. There are also a lot of students who are deeply engaged in student life and contribute their time and effort to supporting the USCA community,” Vieyra said.   “What we have in Alexa is both, and I think that is rare, particularly for a student in a major as demanding as nursing.”   During the annual Academic Honors program the night before commencement, Carnahan will receive several awards: a Library Research Award, Honors Program Award, and the Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Nursing Award.   Not only has she personally excelled in the School of Nursing (SoN), but she has also been committed to others’ success by taking part in a newly implemented program in the School of Nursing: PASS. Through the SoN’s Peer Ambassadors for Students’ Success program, students, like Carnahan, voluntarily tutor their peers who may find some of the core courses a bit challenging. She served as a peer ambassador for four different courses. In exchange for their time and investment in their peers’ success, Carnahan and PASS student-tutors receive scholarships to help defray costs of tuition.    She has received several additional scholarships and research grants. Approximately 30 percent of currently enrolled undergraduate students have full tuition covered by scholarships and grants. About 40 percent of students in the last fiscal year graduating class who started at USCA as freshmen graduated with no student loans.    Discovering her path  Carnahan receives her nursing pin from USCA faculty members during the pinning ceremony, but during commencement, she plans to wear her grandmother’s LPN pin, a poignant reminder of who inspired her journey.   After graduation, Carnahan will take her next big step – moving two hours from home and starting the job she already has lined up and waiting for her in the step-down intensive care unit at Bon Secours Mercy Health Center in Greenville, South Carolina.  “I’m excited about it. I love taking care of acute patients,” Carnahan said. “I want to provide personalized, personable care and make connections with patients and their families.”  Some new graduates venturing out like this might be a bit intimidated, worried, or anxious. Not Carnahan. She’s excited about what the future holds and feels ready for the challenges, thanks to the faculty, staff, courses, experiential learning opportunities, and friends at USCA who have prepared her for this moment.  “I encourage others to get involved. You can learn to balance everything with time management,” she said. “Take advantage of every opportunity and keep your eye on the prize.”  Carnahan’s accomplishments at USCA  South Carolina Life scholarship   Alexander & Alexander Attorneys at Law scholarship   “Broken Ink” Washington Writer’s Award   Mona L. Martin First-Year in Writing essay contest winner scholarship  Phebe Davidson Prize in Creative Writing essay contest winner scholarship  USCA Banksia Scholar   USCA Partnership scholarships  USCA Honors Program scholarships   Peer Ambassador for Student Success scholarships   Anne W. & Robert M. Lewis Recruiter scholarship  Anna M. Gascoigne Endowed Nursing scholarship  Hospital Auxiliary of Aiken County scholarship   Lexington Medical Center Foundation scholarship   Sigma Theta Tau - Pi Lambda research grant   Gregg-Graniteville Library Undergraduate Research Award   Outstanding Traditional BSN Student Award  Alpha Omicron Pi - Chi Phi chapter   Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honors Society - Pi Lambda Chapter  USCA Honors Program   Honors Student Organization  Peer Ambassador for Student Success (PASS)   Neuroscience Club and Research Lab   Student Nurses Association   

The Rotary Club of Aiken named Preston Gillespie its Student of the Month for April.  Gillespie is set to graduate from USCA on May 6 with a double major in political science and Spanish translation and interpretation. He intends to attend law school and hopes to work for the attorney general or solicitor’s office.  His academic, leadership and professional experiences at the university have prepared him to do just that. He’s interned with Congressman Joe Wilson’s Aiken District office, where he worked closely with the lawmaker’s constituents. This semester, he interned with the City of Aiken, shadowing the city manager and researching potential policies and their impacts. In addition to lawmaking and civil service, he enjoys honing his language skills and volunteered as a medical interpreter at the Clinica Latina in Augusta.  “I continue to be motivated by the many opportunities that I have been afforded while attending USCA as well as the many challenges I have had to overcome in my life,” Gillespie said.  He holds a 3.67 GPA and has earned his spot on the Dean’s List each semester. Gillespie has served in the Foreign Language Honor Society and as a Chancellor Ambassador, representing the university at highly visible events, including those in the South Carolina State House. He has been an engaged leader throughout his time on campus.  “Leadership is the ability to unite people in a common cause and relies on both independence and the ability to work with others to really understand their perspective,” Gillespie said. “Furthermore, I believe that a leader must be able to take those perspectives into account when coming to a decision.”  Gillespie says his most memorable leadership experience was his work on his Eagle Scout project because it allowed him to make a “meaningful impact” in the community. He identified a need and built benches for patrons of Generations Park in Aiken.  “The park had limited structures when the benches were installed,” he said. I wanted people enjoying the park to have additional places to sit and rest along the walking path there.”  The future attorney says he chose to attend USCA because of affordable tuition and smaller student-to-faculty ratio. Approximately 30 percent of currently enrolled undergraduate students have full tuition covered by scholarships and grants. About 40 percent of students in the last fiscal year graduating class who started at USCA as freshmen graduated with no student loans.   The current student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. 

Despite being less than two years old, the public health program at USCA is already proving its strength through the accomplishments of its students.   Their recent recognition by the South Carolina Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (SC Tracking), underscores just how quickly the university has become competitive with more established programs across the state.   USCA students in Dr. Della Sirizi’s public health classes were recognized by the SC Tracking team for their efforts to highlight issues facing South Carolinians and how to mitigate unhealthy impacts. SC Tracking, part of the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) holds a collegiate competition, known as the Data Dash, which challenges public health students across the state to highlight health conditions and interventions through engaging infographics.   “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the creativity and innovation students bring to their work,” said Emmanuelle Durant, education and outreach coordinator for the SC Tracking grant.  “The competition gives them hands-on experience using SC Tracking dashboards while fostering friendly competition among classmates and across institutions.”  USCA public health students Jeasmine Blyther, Tiffani Rowe, and Valerie Ruvalcaba entered the competition, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding, life expectancy as a key indicator of population health, and Lyme disease, respectively.  “I was heavily inspired by the classes I am currently taking while I was creating my work. I took in consideration everything I have learned in my community health, health communication and medical sociology courses while developing my infographic,” said Blyther, USCA ’26.  “Every fact and advice about audience engagement, presenting health information, and understanding the audience's needs really drove my motivation because I was able to apply all that I have learned. I am so happy to be able to use my public health degree for good.”  SC Tracking declared USCA the Spring 2026 “champion,” thanks to Blyther’s submission, titled “Every Ounce Counts” The design educates new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding.   “This infographic stood out immediately. The color palette was nice and fresh, and I really liked the title. I also like the flow of information and the graphics that were used,” said Deanna Foster, an epidemiologist with SCDPH who judged the entries.   “Within the first few seconds of looking at the infographic, I could grasp the topic, purpose, and target audience. This is what good infographics do; they immediately capture your attention and make the reader want to read more.”   Rowe and Ruvalcaba also received accolades for their original work     “Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of watching this competition grow, and I’m truly impressed by the progress students have made. It’s especially meaningful when faculty incorporate the Data Dash into their coursework,” said Durant.   “With USC Aiken’s public health program still in its early stages, it’s clear that not only does Dr. Sirizi do an amazing job with her students, but her students take great pride in their work, and the first-place winner should be exceptionally proud of her outstanding achievement.”   A Bachelor of Science in Public Health from USCA is designed for students interested in health-related areas of study but not focused on clinical careers such as nursing or medicine. The overall intent is to create more public health and wellness professionals, which continue to be in great demand both in the state and nationally.   The curriculum focuses on public health principles, practices, and policies. From understanding the determinants of health and disease to promoting health equity, students engage in interdisciplinary coursework that spans environmental health, health behavior, and more. With a focus on real-world applications and experiential learning opportunities, graduates emerge equipped to address pressing public health challenges, promote wellness, and improve the quality of life for individuals and populations alike.   “One of the most important facets of public health is health literacy. A public health intervention cannot be effective if your messaging is not understood or well received,” said Foster.   “The Data Dash competition is a great opportunity for the students to learn how to interpret and visualize data to promote their message and effectively connect with their target audience.”   USCA’s public health program focuses on community health, environmental health, issues and trends in health care, disease prevention and control, and health care and public health policy.    “The program is well suited for students pursuing pre‑health pathways, those interested in making a meaningful impact on community health, students drawn to the intersection of public health and environmental health, and those considering graduate study in applied health sciences or research,” said Sirizi an assistant professor of public health.  The initial cohort began coursework in fall 2024.