
" 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
Compass Leadership Program




























Tomorrow’s leaders charting courses for success today!
Compass focuses on minority leadership topics and encourages and prepares participants for leadership in other campus organizations and throughout life.
Planned Workshops
- Individual Goal Setting
- Cultural Leadership and Responsibility
- Glass Ceilings
- Resume Writing / Grad School Preparation
- Professional Attire
- Job Shadowing
- Financial Management
- Etiquette Dinner Skills
Click here for the Compass Leadership Application
This is a non-credit program, but there are numerous benefits.
The program meets once a week for an hour (meetings will be scheduled in consideration of the accepted persons' schedules) and an end of the year celebration retreat is held as well.
During previous sessions of Compass, students have attended activities on the campus of Winthrop University, visited Charlotte, and the Southeastern African American Students' Leadership Conference in Durham, NC.
Spaces are limited
The Compass Leadership Program Story:
The Compass Leadership Program (Compass) was founded in August 2004 after USCA student, Chauncey Gary, asked the then new director of Multicultural Affairs, Stacie L. Williams, to consider developing a professional skills development program for upperclassmen minority students.
The inaugural class of Compass class was made up of five USCA students who readily agreed to participate in the new experiential program to develop their individual leadership skills. The Fall 2004 cohort members were: Chauncey Gary, Tiffany Mack, NeShawn Mack, Darren Jackson, and DeLesha Johnson. Stacie L. Williams, served as class instructor and program coordinator.
In Fall 2005, Compass expanded into a two level program. Participants who graduated from Compass I, matriculated into Compass II (the senior component of the program).
Fall 2006 marked the third year of the Compass Leadership Program and continued expansion and success. Additionally, a corporate mentoring program with United Parcel Service’s (UPS) Aiken Brokerage management staff was added as a leadership development component of the program.
Graduates of the Compass Program include:
FALL 2004
Chauncey Gary, Darren Jackson, De’Lesha Johnson, Tiffany Mack, NeShawn Mack
FALL 2005
Donmnick Gregory, Amy Cook, Chiquitta Robinson, Ashley Baker, Marques Clark, Delia Fox, Carlandra Randolph, Whitney McWhorter.
FALL 2006
Jovita Buckner, Shantivia Boneparte, Desmond Jones,Yashica Evans, Renada Gordon, Anesha Maxwell, Brandy Sullivan, Kayla Wise, Margereta Wright, Larry Wright, Alvina Head
