Graduation & Retention Network at USC

Save the date for this FREE Student Experience Project webinar!
Monday, March 23 (1-2 PM)
Get the Zoom link here: https://sc-edu.zoom.us/j/88954927596

Kick off CAREolina by hearing from faculty who are attuning their classrooms to students’ experiences. ✨

The Student Experience Project: Faculty Community and Growth Mindset, March 23, 1pm-2pm. This panel contains 4 faculty members spanning different schools and colleges at the University of South Carolina to discuss how they've engaged in a cohort or community of practice of faculty members for the student experience project.

https://ow.ly/MX3b50YuV2M

🌟 Make the Most of Your Summer 🌟

Most Summer Semester courses are online: www.sc.edu/summer

Why wait until fall? Summer is the perfect time to get ahead, catch up, or lighten your future course load — all from wherever you are.

Taking summer classes is one of the smartest ways to:
🌞 Catch up on credits
🌞 Graduate faster
🌞 Stay on track
🌞 Boost your GPA
🌞 Focus on a challenging course with fewer distractions

With hundreds of courses available, you can enroll part-time or full-time and build a schedule that works for you. www.sc.edu/summer

University of South Carolina

🔴 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 5!

Together with the University of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence, we're excited to share that applications are now open for the Winter Session Online Course Development Grant (2026–2027).

This opportunity supports full-time USC Columbia faculty who want to develop or refresh a fully online, asynchronous undergraduate course for Winter Session. Awardees receive funding along with instructional design, pedagogical, and technology support.

📌 Application deadline EXTENDED: Thursday, March 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)
➡️ Apply at: bit.ly/ws-course-grant

If you’ve been thinking about building a strong online course, we hope you’ll consider applying!

University of South Carolina

Students looking to stand out in today’s competitive job market should consider enrolling in an interdisciplinary certificate program at the University of South Carolina!

Interdisciplinary Certificates are giving undergraduates a powerful edge—offering in-demand skills in AI Literacy, Data Analytics, Digital Studies, Project Leadership, and Strategic Communications, all with just four courses and no prerequisites. In this article, Shelley Dempsey, PhD and Angela C. Baum, PhD, share how these uniquely accessible certificates are helping students expand beyond their majors and graduate workforce-ready.

Discover how USC is redefining what it means to personalize your education—and why students are taking advantage: https://www.sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2026/02/02-undergraduate-certificate-programs.php


University of South Carolina College of Education

Understanding USC's undergraduate interdisciplinary certificates USC's undergraduate interdisciplinary certificates allow students to focus on skills their major may not cover and make them more prepared for careers after graduation. Take a look at certificates offered and learn more about how to pursue them.

USC faculty — this is worth your time! 🤙

Last semester, 23 of our peers participated in a Student Experience Project Community of Practice (CoP) through GARNET and the University of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). Together, they examined student feedback, explored strategies to strengthen learning conditions, and implemented small, research-based practices that support self-efficacy, belonging, and student confidence.

👍The takeaway?
Meaningful impact doesn’t require a course redesign.

🏫 As Professor Juan Caicedo noted, SEP practices are easy to implement, respect the realities of higher education, and clearly communicate high expectations alongside a commitment to student success.

🎓 If you care about retention, graduation, and the day-to-day experiences of students in your classroom, I encourage you to read this article and consider getting involved in future SEP opportunities: https://lnkd.in/evutU_bz

🤝 Our collective efforts matter — and small changes can make a big difference.


University of South Carolina

Do you help plan events on the University of South Carolina Columbia campus? Let’s make sure leftover food doesn’t go to waste. 🍽️✨

Join a 30-minute Garnet Bites Partner Training to learn how to use Garnet Bites, USC’s new campus-wide food recovery notification system. This quick, live webinar will show you how to send Garnet Bite notifications so surplus food from your events can be shared instead of discarded.

✅ Just 30 minutes
✅ Live, virtual training
✅ Get access to send Garnet Bite notifications
✅ Make a real impact on campus sustainability

Upcoming webinar dates:
📅 Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 10:30–11:00 AM | https://ow.ly/XyLj50Y90On
📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 9:30–10:00 AM | https://ow.ly/BOo550Y90Oh
📅 Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 1:00–1:30 PM | https://ow.ly/vATs50Y90Oi

👉 Register for the date that works best for you using the links above, and become a Garnet Bites partner!

Let’s work together to reduce food waste and support our campus community. 💛❤️

Gamecock CommUnity Shop
UofSCDining
U of SC Student Affairs and Academic Support
Sustainable Carolina

Together with the University of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence, we're excited to share that applications are now open for the Winter Session Online Course Development Grant (2026–2027).

This opportunity supports full-time USC Columbia faculty who want to develop or refresh a fully online, asynchronous undergraduate course for Winter Session. Awardees receive funding along with instructional design, pedagogical, and technology support.

📌 Application deadline EXTENDED: Thursday, March 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)
➡️ Apply at: bit.ly/ws-course-grant

If you’ve been thinking about building a strong online course, we hope you’ll consider applying!

University of South Carolina

The Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET) and the First-Generation Center at USC team had the opportunity to learn more about the amazingly supportive and sustainable operations at the Gamecock CommUnity Shop on Wednesday, January 21!

💛 There were clothes, food, and household items donated just after the holidays, and our team happily rolled up our sleeves to help stock the shelves.

🥶 With this weekend's potential for icy weather and roads, it's never a better time to stop by the Gamecock CommUnity Shop to stock up on essential items for your apartment or dorm.

🤗 You will always find a friendly helpful face at the Gamecock CommUnity Shop, and you can check out their website for more details: https://lnkd.in/e6fc2aeB

Or stop by and see them at:
Carolina Coliseum, Suite 4000
701 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201

University of South Carolina

College affordability doesn’t end with tuition, and for many students, hidden financial barriers can be the difference between dropping out and graduating.

Hear from graduation and retention experts from the University of South Carolina, Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson and Dr. Shelley Dempsey, as they share how intentional, collaborative approaches to affordability can improve completion, advance equity, and ensure more students cross the finish line.

https://www.tippetskirby.com/podcast/episode/7f21a1a6/s3-e8-dr-lara-lomicka-anderson-and-dr-shelley-dempsey-bridging-the-financial-gap-affordability

Way to go, Connor Nesome! 🤙
Major: Real estate
Hometown: Hartsville, SC

How USC changed Connor's life:
The University of South Carolina has changed my life by shaping me into a more confident and purpose-driven person. Through my courses, campus organizations and people I've met, I have grown as a leader, built relations that'll last my entire life, and developed discipline and empathy that I will carry into my career.

Read more about Connor, and other December Gamecock grads: https://www.sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2025/11/class-of-2025-december-grads.php?utm_campaign=uscnews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=usctoday&fbclid=IwY2xjawOxAVFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2QjRrdTNoNUlYaHpsb2Y0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHu9TbEfEHTwXDCfcxrYYJmBu6Ax9TBdEQP_i7whLCatVfIRkPl-4E6nWxEij_aem_zy6FXR6_uBzxJ4_4U1Ppxw

Last night, we celebrated the faculty members who have been active participants in the Student Experience Project (SEP) at the University of South Carolina. They are recognized for working together in a structured community of practice to:

- Implement SEP strategies
- Use formative student feedback to assess classroom climate
- Apply student-centered teaching practices to support learning and belonging.

They are driving real change—course by course, conversation by conversation. 🤙

SEP is a national project designed to encourage an institutional growth mindset—and the belief that all students can succeed when given instructional support and clear communication of course expectations.

See how you can get involved with SEP: https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/graduation_retention_network/classroom_support/student_experience_project/index.php


University of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence

APPLY BY DECEMBER 14: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/197153

The Analytics and Data Manager advances student success initiatives by supporting the Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET), the First-Generation Center (FGC), and for the Office of the Provost as requested. This role oversees data collection, management, and analysis to guide strategic decision-making and continuous improvement. The manager leads data analysis efforts, monitors key performance indicators, and researches trends to identify opportunities for improving graduation and retention outcomes, including for first-generation students. Additionally, the position coordinates course offerings for Winter Session and advises academic departments on scheduling for special part-of-term courses including the Summer Semester.

University of South Carolina