" I live in Pacer Downs and I love it. I love how I can go back to my room during the day if I have a break between classes. I also feel that I have met more people by living on campus. I do not think that I would have had a good college experience if I would not have lived on-campus."
- Katie Gerth , Early Childhood Education major
Did You Know?
USC Aiken has some of the best professional schools in South Carolina. All three - business, nursing, and education - have received the highest level of accreditation possible. This means more opportunities for you to learn from the best and brightest the University has to offer.
"After coming to USC Aiken, I was really able to get involved in alot of great community service projects tha benefit both the local community and beyond."
- Marcus Allen, Business Marketing major
"In each of our housing facilities, you'll find RAs like me, as well as professional staff members, who have undergone special training to help students deal with some of the common issues that may arise when living away from home for the first time."
- Erin Smith, Elementary Education major
"The best part of being a nursing major and actually being in the nursing program is the reputation USC Aiken nursing students carry. Many students and professors know that to get into the program here is competitive, and to be in the program is an accomplishment."
- Shelby Williams, Nursing major
"During the course of my freshman and sophomore years, I was a resident in the Pacer Downs. When I first met my roommate my freshman year, we became the best of friends from the get-go. We found out that we were so much alike in many ways. We connected like brothers, and we are still roommates today during our junior year. "
- Anthony (T.J.) Langford, Communications major
"Being a communication major at USC Aiken has definitely prepared me for effective communicating in a real world setting. I've even been able to communicate in a different language for guests at Disney, thanks to the French courses I’ve taken at USC Aiken. I constantly find myself using concepts that I’ve learned in the classroom; some of which I wouldn’t have been able to use until later after college. "
- Paige Jeffcoat, Communications major
Intern for The Walt Disney Company
"USC Aiken was my very first choice because it wasn't too far from home, but I still got to leave home and experience something new. There were other colleges that I looked at, such as Emory, Winthrop, and USC Columbia, but I'm glad that I chose USCA. "
- Shantivia Boneparte, Exercise & Sports Science major
"I enjoy the small campus environment. My professors know me and speak to me even when I’m not in class. I enjoy walking around the quad and seeing people I know, and I am able to meet new people everyday."
- Lehe Drawdy, Political Science major
"I chose USC Aiken because you have more time one-on-one time with your professors, and the beauty and cleanliness of the campus and its surroundings are great. Also, I received a scholarship to play baseball."
- Houston Taylor, Secondary Education (History) major
"Our campus is just the right size to get involved. You can get connected through Greek life, community service, sports, theatre, music, academic clubs, or student government - just to name a few. At USC Aiken, you'll develop relationships with other students, making our campus your perfect home away from home."
- Brittany Leverette, Communications major
"At USC Aiken, everything we do is with you in mind. Come to our campus, and you'll witness our professors, our staff, our students - the entire USC Aiken community - working together toward one common goal: your success. Our small class sizes offer a setting for personal attention from faculty - so you're an individual, not a number."
- Annie Zhao, Business major
"For many of our students, getting involved in community service is an essential piece of their college mosaic. Making a difference in the lives of others is what USC Aiken is all about."
- Jon Boyles, Business major
"We want to provide you with the tools for a successful future. From the moment you set foot on our campus, you'll discover a multitude of programs to mold you into a more engaged citizen and prepare you for success. Through opportunities like the First Year Experience or organizations like Peer Educators, you'll learn what it takes to be a more well rounded individual."
- Ken Kennedy, Nursing major
University of South Carolina Aiken's Martin Receives Women of Excellence Award
May 21, 2008 8:43 AM
Dr. Deidre Martin, vice chancellor for University Advancement at the University of South Carolina Aiken, was recently named recipient of the 2008 Women of Excellence Award in Education, sponsored by the Girl Scouts.
Martin received the award at a luncheon held May 14 at the Marriott Riverfront Hotel in Augusta, Ga. Established in 1987, the Women of Excellence Program was developed to honor outstanding women from the CSRA. Awardees are women with distinguished records in their field, who serve as outstanding role models to all women including the young women that the Girl Scouts serve. Awards are presented to accomplished women in the fields of the Arts, Business, Community Service, Education, Government, Health and the Professions.
In his nomination letter, Dr. Tom Hallman, USC Aiken chancellor, wrote, “Every successful organization has at least one individual who can always be counted upon to do the job right every time, but only a few are fortunate enough to have someone who knows also what the ‘right job’ should be. At the University of South Carolina Aiken, Dr. Deidre Martin is that individual.”
Martin, an employee of USC Aiken since 1988, received her undergraduate degree from Berry College in 1985. She went on to earn a master of communication degree from Georgia Southern University in 1987 and a Doctor of Education degree from USC Columbia in 1995.
“I was certainly very honored to receive this recognition,” said Martin. “I feel so fortunate to work in the field of higher education and hope to always do my best to positively influence the lives of the young people I work with at USC Aiken.”
“Girl Scouting strives to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens,” said Jean Carr, retired CEO of the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River Council. “Therefore it is most appropriate that Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River Council honor role models that exemplify these characteristics. Girl Scouts and the community at large have an opportunity to be inspired by the contributions and significant achievements of these women within the CSRA.”
Martin and her husband Barry reside in Batesburg, S.C. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Aiken and the Aiken Kiwanis Club and serves as adviser for Circle K, USC Aiken’s most active community service student organization. In addition to her latest award, Martin has been recognized at the local, state, and national levels through professional association awards from the Media Women of South Carolina, the National Federation of Press Women and South Carolina Press Association, and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Martha Kime Piper Award.
“Deidre’s contributions to USC Aiken and to higher education in general are innumerable,” said Hallman. “We as a university are so lucky to have her, and I consider it a personal honor to count her amongst my staff and colleagues.”
From left to right: Judy Spencer, Girl Scouts board member and officer, Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medal winning gymnast and event keynote speaker, Dr. Deidre Martin, and Margaret Skene, CEO of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia