Laying the Groundwork for Success: Business Major Alden Ennis Reflects on How USCA Shaped His Path

There’s no place like home in Aiken, South Carolina for Alden Ennis.  

This December 12th, he’ll graduate with a degree in Business from the University of South Carolina Aiken, with the ceremony taking place in the Convocation Center. 

Originally from Graniteville, S.C., Ennis has called Aiken home for most of his life. “Both of my parents grew up in the Central Savannah River Area, and most of my family attended Midland Valley High School,” he shares. 

After graduating from high school, he accepted a scholarship to attend USCA.  

“My sister and brother both majored in nursing and I knew that wasn’t going to be for me. So, I stayed local and had a great scholarship to come here,” Ennis said.  

After believing that health was his passion, he quickly realized during his freshman year that the science path was not for him. “Like most college students, I switched my major to what I thought I’d be best good at, which is when I found my passion for business.”  

Throughout his college experience, Ennis worked as an administrative assistant at Tiffany Pediatrics in Aiken.  

One of the most enjoyable aspects Ennis says he loves about being a business major is the people. “Finding a way to level with people while creating relationships is important. I believe that can take you further in business,” he said.  

USCA Business Professors such as John Engel and Brent Hoover are among the top administrators that Ennis credits for his success within the School of Business. He attributes both helping to teach students about the fundamentals of business while integrating real-world instruction into their curricula.  

Over the past few semesters, Ennis discovered his passion for Project Management after taking a supply chain resource course. This sparked his interest in learning more about Project Management Programs (PMP), and he now plans to pursue a master's degree in project management. He recalled a pivotal conversation with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) project manager at SRNS, which solidified his long-term goal of pursuing a career in the field. 

“If everything goes as planned, I would one day love to have a project management consulting firm to help people create their projects while expanding their business,” he said.   

If there’s one thing Ennis says he’ll miss the most about USCA, it’s the incredible support system and the strong relationships he’s built with faculty and friends. “When you’re all in it together balancing classes, work, and advising it brings you closer to people. That’s what I’ll miss the most.”  

As he looks ahead, Ennis offers this piece of advice to students: do the work.  

“Procrastination is a big issue, and sometimes people just don’t give it their all. You can’t rely on technology or shortcuts to do the heavy lifting for you. At the end of the day, it’s all about putting in the effort and staying focused.” 

Ennis, along with his graduating classmates, will participate in the Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the USCA Convocation Center located at 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, SC 29829 

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.