Faculty & Staff

For University of South Carolina Aiken student Sophia Lindale, ‘27, the crown she wears as Royal Miss South Carolina represents more than a title. It’s an opportunity to use her voice, uplift others and turn personal challenges into purpose.  A communication major from North Augusta, Lindale uses her platform to mentor younger pageant participants, promote her anti-bullying initiative, Be Pretty, and encourage others to find confidence in themselves. Lindale’s passion for communication began with her love of public speaking. Her experiences in pageantry have given her opportunities to connect with others, share her story and develop skills she hopes to carry into her future career.   The journey to pageantry   Lindale’s pageant journey began at a young age after watching her older sister compete in a school pageant    Despite not wanting to compete initially in this year’s Royal Miss South Carolina Pageant, Lindale ultimately took home the title over the summer. “Everything felt surreal. There is nothing like the moment they call your name. I am proud to be given the opportunity. This title means more than just a pretty crown and sash; it’s the pleasure to serve South Carolina and others,” Lindale said.  Through her involvement with the Little Miss South Carolina Organization, Lindale has developed lasting friendships and found opportunities to give back. During the most recent season, the pageant and contestants raised $50,000 for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.  One of the most rewarding parts of Lindale’s reign has been serving as a role model for younger queens. Through her Be Pretty platform, Lindale hopes to encourage young people to embrace their individuality and treat others with kindness. She also hopes to encourage more women ages 20 to 26 to get more involved in pageantry.   Finding strength through loss   Lindale’s year as Royal Miss South Carolina also came with challenges. During the pageant’s final week earlier this year, she experienced the unexpected loss of her father, Michael Lindale, who worked at Bridgestone for 15 years. Despite the difficult loss, Lindale continues to carry the lessons her father taught her, including the importance of hard work and perseverance. His influence continues to shape how she approaches her education, service and responsibilities as Royal Miss South Carolina title.  Lindale said losing her father also taught her the importance of giving others grace, because you never know what someone may be going through.   “He was hardworking. We felt like he missed out on a lot since he was always working and that's what pushes me to continue going through school, because he taught me to push hard for what you want,” Lindale said.  How USCA and faculty shaped her future  Lindale credits USCA’s supportive faculty and flexible academic environment with helping her balance the demands of college, work and pageantry. Her connection to USCA began while she was a dual-enrollment student at North Augusta High School. Lindale credits supportive faculty members who have helped her easily transition to college and balance competing responsibilities.  “The faculty here are exceptional. Whenever I need additional guidance, they are right there to assist. They genuinely care about their students, and their support has meant the world to me," Lindale said.   After graduating in fall 2027, Lindale plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.   “Choosing USCA was a simple ‘yes!’ I commute from North Augusta to Aiken two to three days a week and this allows me to still work. USCA has the flexibility that I need,” Lindale said.  Not only did USCA give Lindale the flexibility she needed to pursue her academics, but she was also able to be joining organizations such as Lambda Pi Eta in spring of this year, an achievement she said was especially meaningful because of her family’s journey.  “Sophia is a great student and a member of our communications honor society, Lambda Pi Eta. She is super resilient and a model for others,” said Dr. Jason Munsell, associate professor and chair of communication and emerging media.   Lindale’s pageant experiences have also helped her fellow students. “Sophia leads by example in the classroom, and she brings out the best in others. Sophia graciously shared public speaking advice from her years of experience with her classmates before the final presentations in our Workplace Communication course. Her practical and supportive approach helped everyone feel more confident,” said Elizabeth Webb, senior instructor of communication.  Looking ahead, Lindale hopes to expand her Be Pretty platform and push for anti-bullying efforts. “I really want to write a book about my platform and my story and hopefully get an antibullying bill sent to state,” Lindale said. 

The University of South Carolina Aiken has again earned a distinction held by just 6 percent of business schools worldwide.  The premier business school accrediting body has renewed accreditation for the School of Business Administration at USCA for both graduate and undergraduate business programs.  “Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation is widely recognized as the gold standard in business education and signifies a commitment to excellence in teaching, student learning, strategic management and continuous improvement,” said Dr. Ravi Narayanaswamy, dean of the USCA School of Business Administration.  “For students, AACSB accreditation provides assurance that they are receiving a high-quality business education that is respected by employers and graduate schools around the world.”  To earn the coveted distinction, the business school must demonstrate that its faculty qualifications meet the robust AACSB standards. Business schools undergo an ongoing review process and must demonstrate continuous improvement, innovation, and effectiveness to be considered by the AACSB.   “Reaffirmation of accreditation reflects the School of Business Administration’s commitment to maintaining high standards while catering to the evolving needs of students, employers, and the business community,” said Narayanaswamy.  This accreditation helps ensure USCA SOBA graduates develop:  Strong communication and analytical skills  Ethical decision-making abilities  Technology and data literacy  Career-ready business competencies  Leadership skills for a dynamic and evolving workforce  AACSB accreditation does not simply recognize quality; it encourages innovation. The accreditation process encourages the School of Business Administration to regularly evaluate its program offerings, engage with employers and community partners, and adapt curriculum to emerging trends and opportunities.  The business school aims to provide students with a business education that combines strong foundational knowledge with practical, career-ready skills. This is achieved by integrating industry-based certifications in its course offerings. Students also have an opportunity to earn undergraduate certificates in areas of entrepreneurship, real estate, human resource operations and digital marketing as a part of their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. Whether students pursue accounting, finance, management or marketing, graduates prepare to contribute immediately and adapt successfully throughout their careers.  “Faculty and staff are committed to maintaining the high standards expected of an AACSB-accredited institution, preparing students for the future of work and meeting regional workforce needs,” said Dr. Ana Iglesias, associate dean of the USCA School of Business Administration.  “Our programs align with priority occupations identified by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, reflecting workforce needs across the state and supporting USCA’s commitment to preparing graduates for high-demand career opportunities.” 

Poet and reporter Erin Weeks, USCA ’23, followed her artistic passions to a poetry showcase in New York City — and back to the memory of her late grandfather.   “My grandfather was a great man, and a nerd in the most endearing way. He loved science fiction, computers, his many cameras, and the movie 'Short Circuit.’ I think he would’ve gotten a kick out of knowing his memory is preserved online in this poem,” Weeks said.  Weeks spent the latter half of her summer in a five-week virtual poetry workshop through New York City’s School of Poetic Computation, which blends art and technology. Students who completed the course were invited to share their work at a New York City showcase.  “It was something totally new for me, as the focus was on poetry relating to technology, something I’ve never written about,” Weeks said. “My writing is usually centered around nature and nostalgia, and I don't know much about coding or computers.”  While she’s always written poetry, the workshop prompted Weeks to draw on her grandfather’s love for computers, technology and photography.  Preserving those memories was especially meaningful to Weeks, as many of the photos her grandfather took were lost after his equipment was damaged.  “Stepping out of my comfort zone for this workshop gave me a chance to be creative in a new way, and it resulted in me writing something that captured my grandfather's memory in a way that was true to him,” Weeks said.  Her poem meditates on the nature of digital memories and is titled “Love is Not a Malfunction.” She said that the poem’s online formatting, including the website she created to host it, is part of her artwork and pays homage to her grandfather’s penchant for technology.  “When it comes to coding, I have minimal knowledge,” Weeks said. “Making the website was a bit of a challenge and involved a lot of Googling and some frustration. But I'm happy with how it turned out and am now open to considering other alternative mediums for poetry.”  Weeks majored in emerging media at the University of South Carolina Aiken. While on campus, she contributed to "Broken Ink" and wrote for "Pacer Times," the student newspaper.   “I think so much of my university experience helped prepare me to undertake a project like this,” said Weeks, who worked for the "Aiken Standard" and regularly covered USCA.  “Intensive writing courses that I participated in as a student have helped me understand how to manage the workload of a poetry workshop like the one I took this summer.”   Dr. Forrest Anderson, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at USCA, said extracurricular organizations like "Broken Ink" give students experience beyond the classroom.   “Extracurricular work like "Broken Ink" is where students stop practicing for the real world and start doing real work,” Anderson said. “When students edit a magazine, they make decisions together, meet deadlines and put their own writing in front of an audience. That last part matters most.   "The classroom gives students the craft; activities like these give them the confidence to share it.”  As she continues to grow as an artist, Weeks urges fellow Pacers to search for and embrace new opportunities.   “This year I set a goal for myself to see how many times I could get rejected, because when you open the door up for rejection, you’re also opening it up for success. That mindset got me into this workshop and is how I found myself presenting my work in NYC. In May, I had no idea this would happen,” Weeks said.  Weeks also reminds other artists that the destination isn't always the point.   “Push yourself to explore new mediums and different outlets for your art, because you never know what you’ll learn about yourself along the way,” she said.  In the spirit of artistic exploration, Weeks has set out to establish new outlets for creative people, like the poetry open-mic group she organizes and co-hosts, known as “Dragonfly Spoken Word”. She invites the campus community, including alumni, faculty and staff, to participate.  “We would love to get some USCA students involved to share their writing work or to just listen,” Weeks said. “Open mics are a fantastic way to get students comfortable speaking in front of a room, and it’s always good for writers to hear what others are writing.” 

AIKEN, S.C. (October 20, 2026) — Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the liquid waste contractor at Savannah River Site (SRS), has deepened its support for the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) LIFE program by donating $5,000 to the program and hiring USCA student Jesse Reyes for another semester. Reyes will be continuing his job in the SRMC’s Laboratories, where he supports day‑to‑day operations and learns workplace skills in a professional environment. This is his second year working for SRMC through the USCA LIFE program. Reyes is the third USCA LIFE student worker hired by SRMC, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to providing employment opportunities for students in the LIFE program. For Reyes, the experience is about more than a job. “I think it has improved who I am, in terms of me using motor skills and time management – skills I can use at other jobs,” said Reyes. “What I like about working for SRMC is that I’m helping them prepare to test waste materials. I like getting to contribute like that.” The $5,000 contribution from SRMC will support the USCA LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program, which offers a college experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on academics, social engagement, independent living skills, and career development. Through its collaboration with SRMC, the program connects students with meaningful, real‑world work experiences that help build confidence and expand future employment options. SRMC Laboratories Director Melissa Santaella‑Ramos emphasized how the LIFE students working for SRMC gain practical experience that prepares them for future careers. ”These students bring enthusiasm, attention to detail, and a strong desire to learn, which positively impacts our daily operations and our culture,” said Santaella-Ramos. USCA Chancellor Dr. Daniel Heimmermann said the University of South Carolina Aiken is deeply committed to creating pathways that help all students realize their potential. “Our partnership with SRMC and the LIFE program provides students like Jesse with hands‑on experiences that build valuable skills, foster independence, and demonstrate the powerful impact of strong community and industry partnerships,” Heimmermann said. “We are grateful for SRMC’s continued support of our students and their success.” SRMC comprises parent company BWX Technologies, Inc. with partners Amentum and Fluor. Its team brings the capabilities necessary to accelerate cleanup at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site through safe nuclear operations, optimized and integrated mission execution, and strong corporate governance.   USCA is a regional university offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees and certifications across more than 70 programs of study to approximately 4,500 students. USCA is recognized as a top Regional Comprehensive Public University in the South and attracts students from almost 40 states and more than 20 countries. With a commitment to providing a high-quality education at an affordable cost, USCA offers tuition rates well below the national average. More than 30 percent of undergraduate students receive full tuition support, and in recent years, more than 40 percent complete their degrees debt-free from USCA thanks to scholarships and financial aid.  

Graniteville, S.C. (Oct. 7, 2026) -- Community members making a difference in the Aiken area have an opportunity to be recognized with the 2027 Human and Civil Rights Community Champion Award. Award nominations are open through Dec. 1 and can be submitted online.  To be considered for the award, nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria: Helped protect and advance the human and civil rights of the Aiken County community; Be an active member of a service organization in the Aiken County community; Worked to build more effective partnerships with students and schools, especially Aiken Technical College and the University of South Carolina Aiken; or Has publicly promoted efforts to unify the Aiken County community by promoting collaboration and protecting the rights of citizens. The award recipient will be recognized during the 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, scheduled for Jan. 24 and co-hosted by Aiken Tech and USCA. Student champion award recipients from each institution will also be recognized during the event. Below are links to the student champion award nomination forms and criteria for each institution: Nominate an Aiken Tech student  Nominate a USCA student

Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic, commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, visited USC Aiken on Sept. 21, engaging with university leadership, ROTC cadets and students working in the Regional Security Operations Center. During his visit, Janovic also toured the university’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative.  Janovic emphasized the critical role of regional academic partnerships in strengthening the defense talent pipeline, noting that modern national security challenges demand problem-solvers from every discipline.  “Our partnership with USC Aiken demonstrates how higher education and national security must reinforce one another to solve our toughest defense challenges,” Janovic said. “Technical degrees are valuable, but we also require different ways of thinking from every discipline. If you have the drive to serve, whether in uniform or as a civilian, we have a pathway for you to contribute directly to our nation’s defense.”  Additionally, Janovic met with Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor, and senior faculty members to discuss formalizing academic collaboration and expanding credit-articulation pathways that translate soldiers’ military training into academic credit, accelerating degree completion.