Students

A record number of freshmen began their college careers at the University of South Carolina Aiken for the 2026-27 academic year, marking another year of significant enrollment growth for the university. Approximately 700 freshmen are enrolled for the fall semester, an 18 percent increase from last year’s freshman class.  In addition to its freshman enrollment, the university reported 442 registered transfer students.   “This record-breaking class is a strong signal that families across South Carolina and beyond understand USCA delivers a high value, personal college experience that prepares students for real careers,” said Nathan Rice, vice chancellor of enrollment management.   Rice added that this year's growth is the result of a campus-wide effort, with admissions, financial aid, and marketing each playing an important role. “The team’s consistency and follow-through helped turn the great work happening on this campus into applications and enrollments.”  The university officially welcomed the Class of 2030 during its annual Freshman Convocation on Aug. 17. Students gathered in the Quad before taking the traditional walk across the bridge to the Convocation Center, where faculty and staff formally welcomed them to the USCA community.  This year’s convocation theme centered around “Home,” encouraging students to think about how they will build their own sense of belonging and community during their time at USCA.  The theme resonated closely with Dr. Brianne Coulombe, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, who served as one of the event’s guest speakers.  Coulombe shared words of encouragement with the new Pacers, comparing their academic plans to a blueprint for their college experience.  “Sitting here today, you have the blueprint for building a home at USCA that is functional and uniquely yours,” she said. “If you forget, just look back at the major map you got from advising and you’ll see all your general education requirements, your cognate, and specific classes you need for your major. But that’s all it is. A blueprint. Your job now is to make that blueprint into a home.”  For Laura Nolasco-Gonzalez, joining the Pacer community means beginning her college journey close to home while pursuing a degree in Nursing.  Nolasco-Gonzalez, who joins USCA from Johnston, SC, said the university’s location and nursing program were among the top reasons she chose to come to Aiken.   “I chose USCA because it is close to home, it has a great nursing program, and USCA's pride in helping students develop as they adapt to a new environment,” she said.  Nolasco-Gonzalez says she’s thankful to several campus organizations for helping guide her decision to choose USCA, including the Delight ministry, Hispanic Student Association and Project Pacer.   Project Pacer is an extended orientation experience designed to help incoming students build connections, develop a sense of belonging, and feel more comfortable as they transition into college.  “The most exciting part about the start of the school year for me is being able to attend school knowing so many faces. I attended Project Pacer, Leadership Retreat, and I got the opportunity to shadow a pacesetter. These events gave me a head start in this new journey to meet new people and begin to make USCA feel like my new home.”  Rice emphasized that the Class of 2030 shows USCA’s momentum is continuing to build.  “Students are choosing us because they want personal attention and a clear path to career success. A larger class means more energy on campus and more students who will go on to represent USCA well after they graduate.”  The Class of 2030 also reflects a range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences, with students arriving from across the country and around the world.  Among the highlights of this year’s freshman class:  17 states are represented among the freshman class.  15 nationalities are represented.  89% of students are from South Carolina.  32 students speak at least two languages.  The top three majors are Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Biology.  33 students entered USCA undecided on their major.  Madison is the most popular first name among female students, with nine students sharing the name.  William is the most popular first name among male students, with six students sharing the name. 

Boston may seem like a long way from Aiken but not for Hayden Driver and Joseph Suazo, both USCA '28.    The two biology majors spent the summer interning at Harvard Medical School, where they conducted research with a USCA alumna in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Brigham and Women's Hospital.   This teaching hospital, with almost 800 beds, located in the heart of Harvard’s state-of-the-art medical complex, focuses on whole-of-patient and family care. The Brigham and Women’s team incorporates cutting-edge research and technology into patient protocols and treatment. The efforts of their medical professionals have led to medical breakthroughs in a variety of medical disciplines.    Perhaps, the research these USCA biology students conducted at Harvard may inform new medical approaches.  Hands-on at Harvard Medical School   Throughout the summer, Driver and Suazo worked with Harvard students, faculty and researchers. They completed a variety of tasks each day, including preparing bacterial samples and growth media, incubating bacterial cultures, checking bacterial concentrations, performing affinity chromatography, helping prepare materials and supporting a variety of biomedical research projects.   “They did an amazing job, adapting to a new lab environment and picking up novel scientific techniques, and their enthusiasm for science made it so fun having them in the lab,” said Dr. Connie Arthur, USCA ‘06 and assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School   “They are exactly the type of high caliber of students I would expect from USCA’s excellent scientific training program, which of course is near and dear to my heart since that’s also where I first found my own love of basic science research.”   The USCA duo says they enjoyed working with “the best people in their fields” and are grateful for Arthur and the Harvard Medical School team who took the time to share insights about their research projects and new initiatives. Suazo also enjoyed the challenge of conducting research in Boston, which required flexibility and creative problem-solving.   USCA created a foundation for success   During their internship, Driver and Suazo applied those skills and other lab techniques they learned in their USCA advanced biology and research courses “all of the time,” according to Driver.     “It was really interesting to work in a lab where we have to improvise a lot because we’re doing new stuff,” Suazo said. “It was also nice to apply what we learned at USCA.”     Understanding the importance of laboratory techniques and safety is one lesson Suazo learned at USCA. During his internship, Suazo put this knowledge to work while at Harvard when he grew bacterial cultures, sterilized samples and extracted and purified proteins, specifically a key protein called Galectin-8.     Suazo, who is originally from Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, said he chose USCA after learning about its "amazing biology program."      He knew he wanted to be part of it, and so did Driver.     For Driver, a graduate of Midland Valley High School, majoring in molecular biology was a natural choice because he is "very passionate” about the subject, particularly the study of human biology.     Both students credit their USCA experiences, professors – like Dr. April DeLaurier – and course work for their success during what they say was an “amazing” internship.     “What we learned at USCA made everything much smoother,” Suazo said.     Don’t hesitate to take risks      Driver first learned about the possibility of a Harvard internship opportunity while in high school. Arthur spoke to students, including Driver, when she visited Midland Valley High School, her own alma mater.     When the time came for the Pacers to find an internship, Driver reached out to Arthur and shared the opportunity with Suazo.     "Don't be scared to ask," Driver advises students interested in pursuing an internship.     He said he was grateful he wasn't afraid to seek guidance and information, even when it felt intimidating. While many students may hesitate to ask for opportunities, he believes taking that first step can make all the difference.     Suazo encouraged students not to be afraid to pursue internship opportunities, emphasizing that simply asking and taking a chance can open unexpected doors.     USCA Career Services can help students take the first step toward an internship and ultimately career planning. The team in Career Services provides guidance, knowledge, experiences, skill and connections that will lead to successful, lifelong career management.    The Career Services staff invites students to empower themselves by taking charge of their internships and future careers. The staff is available to assist students through this process. They also assist Pacers in their searches for full-time employment. The staff organizes career panels, leadership programs and sponsor career fairs each semester. Individual career counseling appointments are available upon request.  

Fine arts educators from across Aiken County attended an AI-related program presented by the dean of the Gregg-Graniteville Library at the University of South Carolina Aiken.  During the summer break, Dr. Lisa Ennis presented “AI Literacy in the Arts Classroom” to approximately 125 Aiken County Public School District K-12 visual arts, music, theater, dance and media arts teachers.  “Dr. Lisa Ennis' AI literacy presentation was both engaging and practical, equipping our fine arts teachers in Aiken County schools with innovative strategies to enhance creativity and instruction while emphasizing the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Kimberly Fontanez, district fine arts coordinator.   “Her session demonstrated how AI can be a powerful educational tool when used thoughtfully to support teaching, inspire student learning, and complement, rather than replace, human creativity.”  During the workshop, the educators explored practical applications of artificial intelligence in arts education while emphasizing responsible use, ethical decision-making, copyright, accessibility, and the importance of preserving creativity and the artistic process. Participants discussed how AI can support teaching and learning while ensuring students continue to develop their own artistic voices and critical thinking skills.   “As AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, helping educators develop AI literacy is essential,” Ennis said.  “The goal isn’t simply learning how to use AI; it’s understanding when and why to use it in ways that support learning.”  Ennis adds that the Gregg-Graniteville Library staff is committed to information literacy and emerging technologies, extending the library’s expertise beyond campus to support educators throughout the region. 

Students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community to kick off the new academic year for USCA’s Downtown Takeover from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 22 in The Alley on Newberry St.  In partnership with the Aiken Development Downtown Association (ADDA), the free, family-friendly celebration will once again transform downtown into a showcase of Pacer pride, featuring live entertainment by Velvet City Sound, activities, games, local food and beverages, and opportunities for the community to connect with the university.   “We are excited to welcome the USCA Downtown Takeover back to Downtown Aiken,”  EmmaLee Sams, executive director of ADDA said. “This event is a wonderful reflection of our strong partnership with the university and provides an opportunity to bring students, faculty, staff and community members together in the heart of our city.”   Now in its second year, Downtown Takeover builds on the momentum of last year's inaugural event, which celebrated the official launch of USCA's rebrand. The event welcomed hundreds of attendees from across the Central Savannah River Area.   “The Downtown Takeover brings energy and excitement to downtown while supporting our local businesses and strengthening the connection between USCA, Downtown Aiken, and the greater community,” Sams said.   This year's celebration will also honor several significant university milestones. Founded in 1961 as Aiken College, a two-year branch of the University of South Carolina, USCA will celebrate 65 years of providing transformative educational opportunities to the region. Since welcoming its first students, the university has grown into a nationally recognized comprehensive university serving thousands of students while remaining committed to academic excellence, community engagement and student success.   In addition to the university's 65th anniversary, Downtown Takeover will recognize two other anniversaries:   The 40th anniversary of the Cultural Series, which has brought nationally and internationally acclaimed performers, artists and speakers to the Aiken community since 1986.   The 50th anniversary of the Gregg-Graniteville Library, a cornerstone of academic life on campus that has supported generations of students, faculty and researchers since opening in 1976.   Kicks 99 will also be present with a guitar pull stop from 5-7 p.m. It’s one of the CSRA's most anticipated annual country music events. Hosted by KICKS 99, it brings together some of country music's biggest artists for a unique acoustic performance.  The event will be co-hosted by Paul Crook, director of the Etherredge Center, and Cliff Bennett, host of The Morning Mix and a 1995 USCA graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  

One USCA student is making an impact not only in the classroom, but also on the tennis court.  Breyden Anderson, a third-year student in the USCA LIFE program, represented Aiken at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. He was one of two athletes from Aiken selected to compete on the tennis team.   The games welcomed nearly 3,000 athletes from across the nation competing in 16 team and individual sports at the University of Minnesota from June 20-26. The event was livestreamed on ESPN+ and Disney+, bringing national attention to the athletes and their accomplishments, along with a $75 million economic impact driven by thousands of visitors to the Twin Cities.   Anderson earned a spot on the Special Olympics South Carolina tennis team, joining athletes from communities across the state, including Hilton Head, Columbia and Florence.  The USA Special Olympics marked Anderson's first national competition. Before qualifying, he competed in Special Olympics tennis tournaments throughout South Carolina.  "Breyden has been competing in Special Olympics tennis events around South Carolina for several years, and it has been incredible to watch his growth," said Carl Rapp, who has coached Anderson for seven years. "His experience at USCA has opened him up to be more outgoing, and I thought that the USA Games would broaden his life even more, and it has."  "He played in 17 matches throughout the competition," said David Andes, who coached the Special Olympics South Carolina's tennis team. "I just think that's significant that he played that many matches."  Anderson earned a bronze medal with a third-place finish in Level 4 singles and placed fourth in Level 4 open doubles alongside his partner and mother, Deloris Anderson. Competing in Level 4 meant facing athletes of similar skill levels from across the country. Anderson competed in both singles, a one-on-one event, and open doubles, a two-player team competition.  His accomplishment also inspired members of the USCA community, including Tirzah Slagle, a junior Sspecial Eeducation major who spent the summer interning with Special Olympics South Carolina. Slagle, who has also volunteered as a mentor with the USCA LIFE program, said the experience has broadened her perspective on athletes with intellectual disabilities.  "I think it's really amazing that we have a Pacer represented at a national convention like this and then we can support him,” Slagle said.   She hopes to become a teacher after graduation and said plans to remain involved with the Special Olympics as a supporter.   Anderson's mother said he was so excited about competing in the USA Games that he began packing nearly three months before the trip.  "Normally he and I would practice once or twice a week with our coach, for about an hour," she said.  Anderson's passion for tennis began in middle school after one of his special education teachers introduced him to Rapp.  "One of the special education instructors invited Carl Rapp, Brayden's current coach, to come and show the students different activities they could get involved in, and tennis was one of them," she recalled. "I remember his teacher reached out to tell me how much he really enjoyed playing tennis and to get in touch with Carl."  Since then, it has been difficult to keep Anderson off the court. He practices weekly on USCA's tennis courts and at facilities throughout the Aiken area.  "For him to have accomplished something like playing in the Special Olympics, everybody is very excited for him," his mother said.  Rapp said Anderson's success on the court is matched by his character off it.  Andes praised Anderson's resilience, noting that he stayed focused, maintained a positive outlook and smiled throughout the competition.  "The most important thing to him is his family. They supported him at the USA Games in Minneapolis. When Brayden turned 21, his mother asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday. He said, 'I want to feed the homeless.' She contacted the Aiken Lions Club and set up a picnic at Gyles Park on Park Avenue. in Aiken, where many homeless people gather, and fed them."  Patricia Friday, who has been a member of the Aiken Lions Club for more than 30 years, has witnessed firsthand Anderson's passion for serving others.   The Aiken Lions Club, the county's oldest civic organization, is dedicated to supporting individuals with visual and hearing impairments. Friday said Anderson's compassion and commitment to helping others remind her why she continues to serve.  “He has such a genuine heart for helping others, and watching him give back has been inspiring,” she said. “Our entire club is proud of both Braden and his mother. We even collected a special donation to help support them with expenses for the games. Everyone wanted to be part of encouraging him.” 

For one senior accounting student, the path from the classroom passion to real-world experience began with supportive professors and guidance from Career Services.   “Internships are important for future careers since they confirm or deny an area of work and provide an opportunity to meet people and build a network,” said Ansley Dial, USCA ‘26.  She said she fell in love with accounting because “the professors were always really enthusiastic, and it kind of just clicked with me,” but beyond the classroom, Dial has had the opportunity to complete three different internships. Her varied experiences included working with a non-profit organization, a Fortune 500 company, and a nuclear facility.    “It has been really neat to see how different places operate,” she said.    Dial spent part of the summer interning at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions within the site training records department. This team ensures employees are trained and their information is up to date in the system to ensure safety while on the job.   In the spring, she interned in Augusta with ADP, a Fortune 500 payroll services company. She worked with the small business services division, tackling a project that helped ensure statewide compliance with unemployment issues.  Carleigh Whitaker, client service manager II at ADP, praised Dial for the professionalism, curiosity, and dedication she demonstrated throughout her internship.  "She approached the internship with curiosity, accountability, and professionalism, and it showed both her results and how confidently she spoke about them. Those are qualities that will serve you well as you continue your career,” Whitaker said. “Ansley successfully rectified over fifty accounts for our small business owners, helping prevent tax implications related to their state account IDs. Thank you for the energy and thoughtfulness you brought to the team."  Before that, she spent about nine months serving as a fiscal intern at Aiken Barnwell County’s Community Action Agency. In this accounting role, she helped with internal audits, fiscal-year close-out and budgeting.   Dial said what she learned from USCA School of Business professors gave her the skills to operate and adapt in various offices. She also found her leadership and communication classes to be very helpful in the workplace.  “Being ethical in the workplace, carrying yourself professionally and knowing how to correctly write emails are all very important in jobs,” Dial said.  She found each of her internships through USCA’s Career Services and postings around campus. Dial attended the Career Services’ Internship Week and other events where she met recruiters to find good fits for the employers’ needs and her skill sets and interests.   “Get help from the Career Services office; have your resume reviewed; attend networking and career fair events and take advantage of the free headshots that the career office offers,” she advises fellow Pacers.  In addition to internships and other experiential learning opportunities, Dial also recommends creating professional networking profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn or Handshake.  “There is a learning curve anywhere you go, and even though in classes you learn the gist of how businesses operate, you really don’t know until you’re in a business,” she said.