USCA LIFE students find their voice and vocation

For many graduates, walking across the stage during commencement can be a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and hope for what lies ahead. However, for members of the first graduating cohort of the University of South Carolina Aiken’s two-year LIFE (Learning is For Everyone) Program, earning their credentials is a dream come true.

Launched in the fall of 2023, USCA LIFE is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities by offering academic guidance and fostering social inclusion. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and related studies, these individuals have significantly lower employment rates than the general population. Only about 34% to 44% of working-age adults with intellectual disabilities are employed, compared to over 65% of adults without disabilities.

However, USCA LIFE graduates Amelia Carpenter and Evan Allgood have secured summer jobs in settings where their contributions are valued. Their success highlights the impact of support programs like USCA LIFE that help bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

From student to salon star

A native of West Columbia, South Carolina, Carpenter knew that being accepted into the USCA LIFE program would open endless opportunities for her.

“It’s actually been amazing,” says Clarence Murray, Carpenter’s stepfather. “From her first year to now, she’s grown so much.”

Murray says the biggest change he’s noticed in his daughter is her confidence. “Now she just does everything by herself,” he says.

Carpenter walked across the stage during May Commencement with a PACER credential and then stepped into a new role, working at Hair by Brooke Auletta, one of two salons co-owned by Auletta and Brooke Battisto in downtown Aiken. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can find Carpenter sweeping hair, tidying up the salon, greeting customers as a hostess, and helping with various behind-the-scenes tasks.

In the day-to-day operation of her salon, Auletta admits that managing all the details can be overwhelming. It’s easy to overlook essentials like having enough towels or ensuring the restrooms are stocked. “Sometimes I’m just always so busy and forget, but Amelia is on it,” she says. “We’ve all loved having her, and she’s really helped us out a lot.”

From the classroom to the counter

Like Carpenter, Allgood was among the first graduates of the USCA LIFE program and has since secured a part-time job at Chick-fil-A on Edgefield Rd. in North Augusta.

“He is enjoying the tasks he gets to do, working both inside and outside and being around people,” says his mother, Kathleen Allgood.

Sophomore Kendall Risher, a Special Education major with a minor in Spanish Translation and Interpretation, was a mentor in the USCA LIFE program during the 2024-25 school year. She now plays a more involved role by living alongside some of the students and helping organize events with the program’s social mentors. When Allgood began looking for a job, Risher saw an ideal opportunity with Chick-Fil-A, where she also works.

“When my supervisors with the USCA LIFE program mentioned Evan needed a job, we thought Chick-fil-A was the perfect fit for him,” she says. “He went through the interview process just as any other employee would, and once he was onboarded, I helped create his workload to cater to the way he processes and learns while still giving him a challenge each day.”

“USCA LIFE has completely changed Evan,” Kathleen says. “He went from needing others to doing things for him to now being self-sufficient. He’s got a job and holds everything down.”

Moving forward with USCA LIFE

Carpenter and Allgood both plan to participate in the LIFE Leadership and Civic Engagement (LCE) program, an advanced extension of the original two-year LIFE program. This next step builds on what they’ve already learned, such as academics, job skills, and independent living, while adding a new focus on leadership and community involvement.

Upon completing the two-year extension, students will earn an LCE Credential. Admission to the LCE program is selective and by invitation only.

Risher reflected on the progress she’s witnessed in the students, both socially and academically. “This program equips them with the skills necessary to get and keep jobs, regulate their emotions, take care of their health, and live independently,” she says.

Throughout the program, Kathleen has appreciated how USCA’s smaller campus fosters an environment where students can truly grow. “Evan went from a slightly introverted person to being a lot more outgoing,” she says. “It’s really made him feel like he’s a part of society versus being in the background.”

As for Carpenter, she is looking ahead to the new school year with excitement. She’s eager to move into the Pacer Downs residence hall alongside some of her peers who are also continuing in the LCE program, and looks forward to spending some time at the pool, too.

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