Teri Browne selected as new Social Work dean
May 09, 2023, Hannah Cambre
Teri Browne will assume her role as dean of the College of Social Work on May 15.
Recent Stories
Capping off the Gamecock experience
May 05, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
When Jenna Wilson became director of the Carolina Closet, she never imagined she’d be in the graduation business. She launched a joint collection project for students unable to buy their own cap and gown.
Alumna provides social work services at local library
April 19, 2023, Téa Smith
When Lee Patterson earned her master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina in 2012, she never imagined putting it to use at Richland Library — or any library. But 10 years later, she is doing exactly what she set out to do when she entered the field: help people.
In the fight against poverty, Chynna A. Phillips strives to do more
April 10, 2023, Rebekah Friedman
As senior director of policy and research at Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, Chynna A. Phillips is taking on poverty one partnership at a time.
Mentoring program offers big assist to parents of children on autism spectrum
April 05, 2023, Chris Horn
Robert Hock, a USC's College of Social Work professor, is heading an NIH-funded study to assist parents of children recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The project deploys autism parent navigators experienced in finding and using resources for children on the autism spectrum to serve as guides for uninitiated parents.
Interim BSW program coordinator Bree Alexander returns to USC to train the next generation of social workers
February 14, 2023, Téa Smith
New interim bachelor of social work program coordinator Bree Alexander is eager to give students more opportunities to pursue their research interests — on their own or working with a faulty member.
Priority: Wellness
January 10, 2023, Rebekah Friedman
Health care workers are in the midst of a burnout crisis. As director of field education for the College of Social Work, Melissa Reitmeier has seen it first-hand when placing students in clinical sites across the state. She and her colleagues hope their new online training series will help.
USC, West Columbia police continue to see success in social work outreach program
November 14, 2022, Kyndel Lee
The West Columbia Outreach Program allows social work graduate students to complete field hours in the law enforcement field, giving them hands-on experience with case file management.
Social work professor aims to improve outcomes for foster children
July 29, 2022, Craig Brandhorst
Associate professor of social work Kristen Seay and her collaborators take on adverse childhood experiences among foster children.
First-year Gamecocks find their new home through Pillars for Carolina
May 24, 2022, Carol J.G. Ward
Katie Slick and Cody Markow, student co-directors of Pillars for Carolina, say the program builds community and confidence among incoming first-year Gamecocks. The student-led program offers extended orientation sessions focused on leadership, self-discovery, service and engagement on campus.
Preparing all health science students for the professional world that awaits
January 26, 2022, Abe Danaher
The university’s interprofessional education program allows future social workers, pharmacists, nurses, doctors and others to step outside their educational siloes and engage their future colleagues in meaningful conversation.
Building a community of learning in the International House at Maxcy College
September 23, 2021, Abe Danaher
There’s no denying that college is a time of great change. For the students living on-campus in the International House at Maxcy College, the change is especially pronounced: Not only are they adapting to college, they’re also adapting to living with people from different cultures throughout the world. Breanne Grace, new faculty principal at Maxcy College, hopes to provide a supportive community that will promote learning and expand students’ perspectives as they settle in.
Alum builds network for Black women in social work
June 24, 2021, Megan Sexton
Black Girls in Social Work, an organization created by alumna Bodequia Simon, helps more than 20,000 members around the country network and learn about the profession.
Browne named interim dean of UofSC College of Social Work
June 17, 2021, Chris Woodley
Teri Browne has been named interim dean of the College of Social Work, effective Aug. 1. She succeeds Ronald Pitner, who has served as interim dean since April 2020.
Collaborative program promotes diversity in graduate programs, research careers
April 21, 2021, Chris Woodley
South Carolina College of Social Work professor Sue Levkoff and College of Arts and Sciences professor Alan White established the South Carolina - Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (SC-ADAR) program to address the lack of diversity among scientific experts.
COVID-19 Impact: Gender disparities in pandemic's effect
April 14, 2021, Page Ivey
Jaeseung Kim, assistant professor in the College of Social Work since 2018, studies work and caregiving challenges for low-income parents and how work-family policies, both private and public, can help address such challenges. We asked Kim about how the pandemic has affected men and women differently and how to help those suffering the effects.
Social Work alumna leads nonprofit through COVID-19 crisis
April 09, 2021, Chris Woodley
Kimberly Tissot was met with a challenge in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the executive director of Able South Carolina, a Columbia-based organization that provides services to people with disabilities, Tissot had to find a way to continue offering services to those in need.
Character Counts: 2020 in Review
December 18, 2020
It’s been a year — but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty to celebrate, recognize and honor at the University of South Carolina in 2020. UofSC rose to each and every challenge this year and raised the bar for the year to come.
A salute to student-veterans
November 05, 2020, Communications and Public Affairs
President Bob Caslen and host Sally McKay talk with Jared Evans, director of military engagement and initiatives, and student-veteran Ashley Johnson.
Veterans bring strong work ethic, new perspectives to UofSC community
October 28, 2020, Megan Sexton
Military-affiliated students play an important role at the University of South Carolina. Veterans and active duty Gamecocks excel in the classroom and beyond, including alumni like Candace Terry who earned her Master of Social Work degree in May and now is the director of governmental affairs for the S.C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Student podcast shares stories of resilience, hope and mental health
September 10, 2020, Caleigh McDaniel
Student Health Services’ weekly podcast, “Hear Me Out,” has just begun its third season with new student hosts who are highlighting diverse perspectives on mental health topics.
COVID-19 impact: Social service providers have to work around social distancing
April 28, 2020, Page Ivey
Melissa C. Reitmeier is an associate clinical professor and director of field education in the College of Social Work. She addresses how COVID-19 is impacting both the need for and the delivery of social services.
Intelligence, all over campus
March 05, 2020, Megan Sexton
While artificial intelligence research and programs are growing around the country, the University of South Carolina’s AI Institute is among the first in the Southeast to include diverse colleges and departments.
Social work alumni, faculty improving lives in South Carolina and beyond
March 03, 2020, Tenell Felder
The College of Social Work is celebrating 50 years of improving the lives of people in South Carolina and beyond. Two alumni and a faculty member are among the many who are continuing that work.
Campus Conversation: Whitney Garland
November 25, 2019
"Doing good to others is easy when you are surrounded by a community that encourages and celebrates service."
Meet new faculty: John Doering-White
November 04, 2019, Craig Brandhorst
John Doering-White became interested in immigration issues as an undergraduate and followed his research interests to Mexico as a graduate student. Now an associate professor at the University of South Carolina with a joint appointment in social work and anthropology, he hopes his research will contribute to the development of a more humane immigration system in the both the United States and Mexico.
Social workers play key role in immigrant students' success
June 18, 2019, Chris Horn
About one-quarter of children in the U.S. under the age of 18 are immigrants or the children of immigrants, a status that often translates into educational disadvantages. A College of Social Work faculty member is involved in surveying school social workers nationwide to learn what they are doing to help those children navigate successfully through their public school experiences.
Turning big data into smart data
May 29, 2019, Chris Horn
A new Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of South Carolina will launch this summer, building on and harnessing the collective efforts of dozens of faculty members who already are advancing AI research initiatives in diverse academic disciplines.
Dealing with dementia
May 22, 2019, Page Ivey
Social work and public health researchers Sue Levkoff and Daniela Friedman are teaming up to open a new front line in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, particularly among the African American population, which has a greater incidence of the disease and related dementias.
Breakthrough Star: Breanne Grace
April 05, 2019, Megan Sexton
Breanne Grace got her first glimpse of a refugee community as an undergraduate, studying abroad in Tanzania. A political science major interested in law school and a career in politics at the time, the immersive experience opened her eyes to war and conflict issues she had studied in the classroom, seeing them in a much more human way.
Keeping it classy
April 04, 2019, Mia Grimm
Stuck on what to do with your class schedule for next semester? We've compiled a list of cool, unconventional classes in every college.
Cause for hope
April 03, 2019, Chris Horn
When Wendy Rothermel’s son Cade was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, her family life was upside down, punctuated by his frequent temper tantrums. But when the family connected with Project HOPE and Cade’s therapy began, positive changes followed. The nonprofit foundation, launched by two university alumnae, is bringing hope to families across the state.
Global footprint
March 04, 2019, Craig Brandhorst
The University of South Carolina has been a global player for a long time. But since 2011, when the Focus Carolina strategic plan was announced, the university has significantly increased its internationalization efforts, transforming a healthy overseas presence into a clearly defined global footprint.
For the Kids
February 28, 2019, Allen Wallace
A year ago, University of South Carolina Dance Marathon made history, raising more than a million dollars for the kids at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital (then known as Palmetto Health). Just days after that success, they began working to do it again. That yearlong effort concludes Saturday with the student organization’s annual Main Event.
Beyond addiction
April 18, 2018, Marjorie Riddle Duffie
For USC senior William Benitez, graduating with his bachelor’s means more than just completing a degree. The former addict once thought he’d never get out of a jail cell.
Galen Fellows
March 19, 2018, Megan Sexton
The first class of Galen Health Fellows arrived on campus in August, a group of more than 450 first-year students with dreams of careers in the health sciences.
Carolina changes the world
March 07, 2018, John Brunelli
The University of South Carolina is expanding its global reach in Southeast Asia. President Harris Pastides recently signed partnerships with three universities in Vietnam, which will allow for collaboration in teaching, research and service. Now, the Office of Study Abroad is sending a delegation of faculty and staff to the country over spring break to explore other opportunities for Carolina students.
Medical researchers work together to improve South Carolina's health
February 08, 2018, John Brunelli
National Council for Behavior Health medical director Joseph Parks will be the keynote speaker at the Integrated Behavioral Health Symposium spearheaded by the College of Social Work. The symposium will be held Monday (Feb. 12) at the Alumni Center.
Nursing works with other health disciplines to improve SC's health
January 11, 2018, John Brunelli
The Carolina Family Practice, operated by nursing faculty, has a new home to better serve its patients. In November, the clinic opened at 1410 Blanding St. in downtown Columbia as part of its new affiliation with Palmetto Health USC Medical Group.
UofSC institute finds solutions to help vulnerable familiies
December 08, 2017, Megan Sexton
The USC Institute for Families in Society has a simple goal — find solutions to help vulnerable families in South Carolina. But the work, much like the issues faced by families, can be anything but simple.
A case for good training
December 02, 2017, Page Ivey
South Carolina’s Department of Social Services works with families in some pretty tough situations, but they don’t have to go it alone — thanks to support from USC’s Center for Child and Family Studies.
A plague upon us
October 30, 2017, Megan Sexton
The toll of America’s opioid epidemic is tragic, but UofSC researchers are engaged in the struggle, finding tools that could help turn the tide.
Breakthrough Star: Christina Andrews
June 16, 2017, Page Ivey
Christina Andrews’s research on how the Affordable Care Act has affected substance abuse treatment could provide the first national scale data on the ACA’s impact on an area of treatment that has been neglected.
Lending a hand
May 31, 2017, Melinda Waldrop
Yancey Kemp Wise earned a master's degree in social work from USC to help others deal with the mental illness she battled for most of her adult life. A fellowship she established to honor her mother is helping present-day students continue her legacy of caring.
Fostering a passion for global health
March 28, 2017, Megan Sexton
University of South Carolina students travel to developing countries to understand and tackle global health issues
Breakthrough Leader: Sue Levkoff
March 03, 2017, Page Ivey
When Sue Levkoff came home to South Carolina seven years ago, she was tasked with helping establish interdisciplinary research that would help reduce health disparities in the Palmetto State.
Twenty-Sixteen: By the Letters
December 15, 2016, USC Times
A is for alphabet, at least according to USC Times. To help close out 2016, the University of South Carolina’s monthly magazine for faculty and staff devoted its entire December issue to the ABCs of 2016 — with each letter representing a different accomplishment, announcement or notable arrival from the past year.
Garnet Apple winner Terry Wolfer is on the case
December 15, 2016, Chris Horn
Ever since grade school, Terry Wolfer knew he wanted to teach. But it wasn’t until he had earned three degrees and started his career as a social work professor at USC that he found a teaching approach that resonated with him and his students.
Saving Elyse
June 14, 2016, Chris Horn
The Cold Case Project, an initiative in the Children’s Law Center, focuses on a select group of adolescents who have lingered in the S.C. foster system and are at risk for aging out of foster care without achieving legal permanency — that is, without a family. Partnering with DSS and the family courts, Cold Case staff find ways to reunite these at-risk foster children with responsible family members or to match them with a new family. With children’s lives at stake, giving up is not an option.
'I'm always a social worker, even when I'm a writer'
February 04, 2016, Olivia Currey
Carla Damron writes what she knows. With more than 30 years of experience in social work, this University of South Carolina alumna’s novels center on characters in the midst of crises — whether they are dealing with grief, mental illness or a mixture of both.
Carolinians on the Run
March 20, 2015, Craig Brandhorst
Social work alumna Mary Lohman directs Girls on the Run Columbia, a nonprofit that develops self-esteem and other positive attributes in young girls while training them to run a 5k. Social work assistant professor Aidyn Iachini is conducting research that’s helping making the program even better.
A passion to help, spurred by the outrage of injustice
January 15, 2015, Page Ivey
You cannot speak with Anna Scheyett for more than five minutes without realizing her passion to help people and, soon thereafter, her indignation at the obstacles to getting that help to those who need it most. It is the hallmark combination for any good social worker: individual well being and social justice.