'They saw my potential even when I didn't.' Students say USCA's exceptional faculty make an extraordinary impact

Students have many reasons for picking the college they ultimately call home — academic programs, research opportunities, student organizations and dorm accommodations all work to enrich their experiences, while financial aid and scholarships help keep costs down.

Students find all that at the University of South Carolina Aiken — and more. Beyond those qualities, some students decide to attend USCA because of the small class sizes and the engaged faculty who know each student by name.

With a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, USCA students won’t find themselves in a lecture hall with 200 others, being taught by a graduate student teaching assistant. At USCA, 76 percent of the faculty hold doctorate degrees. Professors, instructors, and lecturers often lead small-group discussions, take classes outside and personally invest in students’ success.

Faculty make the difference

For Tamea Chappelle from Columbia, South Carolina, life on campus in Aiken has been shaped by what she’s learned in the classroom and through the relationships she has with faculty members who have encouraged her.

“[Faculty] saw my potential even when I didn’t,” said Chappelle, USCA ’27. “I extend my utmost gratitude to them for positively influencing my academic experience.”

Political science professor Dr. Sarah Young, Chappelle’s advisor, describes her as driven, exemplary and highly capable.

“Students can come to class and do really good work,” Young said. “But sometimes it helps to have a faculty member that is cuing them to career-building opportunities that may exist.”

Chappelle shared that this kind of assistance helped her make inroads as a growing professional.

“Dr. Young is the reason I was able to become a research assistant and an intern,” Chappelle said. “She has regularly encouraged me since I first came to USCA.”

She adds that, with Young’s guidance, she feels prepared to find and pursue beneficial opportunities, both educational and professional — like an internship with the Aiken County Voter Registration and Elections office and a research assistantship with Dr. Dakoda Trithara, another professor in the political science program.

“I appreciate how down-to-earth and genuine USCA faculty are,” Chappelle said. “Even the faculty I’ve briefly interacted with have left an impact on me. They are understanding and try to help the best they can.”

Chappelle’s positive experiences reflect broader trends at the university. On USCA’s 2026 National Survey of Student Engagement, Pacers rated student-faculty interactions higher than students at peer institutions rated theirs. Almost 85 percent of USCA respondents indicated they are satisfied with their academic advisement.

Graduation is the destination, but getting there takes guidance and support. Advisors help students chart their courses each semester while also navigating academic and professional decisions along the way.

“USCA faculty have assisted me through the good and bad aspects of my academic journey. They saw my potential even when I didn’t,” Chappelle said.

To help prepare her students for careers after graduation, Young makes it a goal to support all her students in their search for professional experiences, especially if the students themselves are motivated to take on new opportunities. Recognizing Chappelle’s dedication to her work, Young said she was excited for the chance to help Chappelle find a place to channel that passion.

For example, Young knew Trithara was looking for high-performing students to help with an interesting research project. Young told him about Chappelle’s writing and research skills, and he invited Chappelle to join his efforts. The political science major not only helped with the research, but she also earned a Magellan Scholar award, which funded her part of the effort.

Young also knew of a USCA alumnus who works for the local elections office and needed interns to assist with primary elections. She gave the alum a heads up about Chappelle.

“Tamea was the one that took the initiative to apply to both opportunities and demonstrate how effective she could be. I was more of an intermediary that tried to help open the door for her,” Young said.

Chappelle said her interactions with USCA faculty members have been consistently characterized by sincerity and eagerness to assist. For her, faculty members have always been a steady source of direction.

Investing time in student success

This sense of steadiness is not accidental. It is reflected in the longevity of USCA’s faculty members, many of whom are USCA alumni themselves, who comprise a stable, robust community. Out of 167 full-time faculty members, the average length of service is 12 years, and 30 have served at the school for more than 20 years. Many of them attended USCA and chose to return to their alma mater as professors. Currently, 19 percent of the faculty are USCA alumni.

Almost 80 percent of USCA’s faculty have earned doctorates in their disciplines. Many have professional, military and industry-related experiences as well. Through continuing education, conference attendance and presentations and membership in academic and professional organizations, faculty keep up on emerging trends in their fields.

Many USCA faculty members have written books in their areas of study. Additionally, faculty offer undergraduates the opportunity to participate in research, including taking students to professional conferences where they present their findings and the impacts of what they’ve studied and learned. This year, USCA faculty have been awarded almost $1.9 million for research, which has included many students.

The numbers demonstrate the degree to which USCA faculty members invest in the school. They are in it for the long haul.

Students see the difference

“It excites and nurtures [faculty] to be able to work with outstanding, caring students and to know that we had something to do with their achievement,” Young said.

“Tamea is not only an excellent student; she is a person of great integrity and a leader. So I hope that it is an encouragement to her to know that her professors see that.”

Through dependable support and personalized mentorship, faculty members play an important part in students’ academic journeys. Chappelle said life as a student has not been without its challenges. Certainly, navigating them can prove difficult, but with the right support, students can feel confident as they make their educational and professional aspirations reality.

“We truly care about our students. Our doors are always open; students can always reach out to us. Faculty and staff in higher education are not removed elitists,” Young said. “We have worked hard to learn and ask probing questions about the world, but we are not sitting in some ‘ivory tower.’ We are just across campus, a visit, a phone call, an email away, ready to help.”

Go Back More News