From an early age, Honors alumna Stephanie Kyle had an appreciation for people from all over the world. She entertained thoughts of traveling far from South Carolina for college, but everything changed when she toured USC. As a student, she traveled widely and got involved in student organizations focused on global business and supply chain. Today, she is pricing director at a major global company.
A time old tradition, every year the South Carolina Honors College welcomes a new class of graduates during a special ceremony called Revocation.
You may know Cocky from game day at Williams-Brice, but some of his biggest fans sit on classroom floors, not stadium seats. Behind the yellow beak are two seniors who’ve been involved with Cocky's Reading Express for the last four years. Meet Emma Connelly and Honors alumnus Walker Weaver.
After studying abroad and leading hands-on energy efficiency projects, Honors College alumna Ella Michel is launching a career in energy policy.
Read the class of 2026 profiles to learn about what made their experiences so special. Honors alumni Shyam Ganesh Babu, Olivia Hoyhtya and Natalie Jacob-Bell are featured and reflect on the past four years.
Some students enter college in pursuit of answers. Rachael Davis pursued questions, then connections, developing semesterly themes that synthesized her coursework. We caught up with Davis to learn more about this introspective, reflective process.
With support from the Division of IT and the South Carolina Honors College, the Provost's AI Fellowship gives students hands-on experience with faculty while expanding the impact of AI across teaching and research.
For Jake Arcement, career aspirations in mental health care began with an open mind, a curiosity about the brain and a passion for human connection. In retrospect, the pieces align perfectly; in reality, Arcement's experiences in and out of the classroom helped him arrive at his future organically.
Five first-year Honors students were selected for the 2026 Accelerated Undergraduate to J.D. program cohort, a newly developed academic program at the University of South Carolina.
A decades-long fascination with life has inspired Honors senior Rachel Kiser, one of two Algernon Syndey Sullivan Awards recipients, to dedicate her career to improving drug treatments for diseases.
Leadership and service is at the heart of everything Honors senior Santiago Avendaño Palacio, one of two Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recipients, does.
Desiree White has pursued just about every opportunity that the South Carolina Honors College has to offer, including designing her own major, which combines music, statistics and anthropology. Though she's learned a great deal at USC, a two-week Honors Maymester in Paris, France, might have taught her the most important lesson.
Each year, the Young Alumni Council proudly presents the Gamecock35 — a select cohort of outstanding alumni under the age of 35 who embody the spirit of Carolina and are making meaningful impacts in their fields, their communities and for their fellow Gamecocks. This year's cohort features several Honors alumni, including Jenni Williams '13 and Erin Brown '18.
Honors sophomore Joyce Edwards earns a spot on the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Second Team.
Beginning in fall 2026, the South Carolina Honors College will partner with other honors colleges and programs in the Southeastern Conference to provide students with a new interconnected class experience.
Honors international business majors Francesca Cumello and Colby Greene will continue their studies at the University of Oxford in England next fall.
First-year Honors students completed over 500 service hours during the inaugural Honors University 101 service learning competition - bringing an estimated economic impact of $17,215 to Columbia, South Carolina.
Five University of South Carolina students earned the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship in 2026. This sets a record for the most Goldwater Scholars at USC in a single year and marks the 34th consecutive year the university has had at least one Goldwater Scholar.
Even before studying abroad in Australia, first-generation Honors student Ashley Chittum has been prepared for whatever adventures come her way.
Honors senior Sophie Verzyl secured the national title in the 3-meter dive – marking her first national title and fourth All-American honor after scoring a 387.90 in her final event as a Gamecock.
The South Carolina Honors College course "Exploring the Craft Beer Trend," introduces students to the fundamentals of beer production, sensory analysis, alcohol safety and the brewing industry.
Dedicated faculty members were recognized by the Office of the Vice President for Research with the Distinguished Research Service Awards. Recipients include Honors faculty Kelly Goldberg, Ph.D. and Joseph McQuail, Ph.D.
Faith Fitzgerald wasn’t sure how or if she could merge her interests in psychology and linguistics. It wasn’t until she was introduced to psycholinguistics, or the study of the relationships between linguistic behavior and psychological processes, that she discovered a new path.
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences announces the 2026 Class of McCausland Faculty Fellows, recognizing six outstanding early-career faculty for excellence in teaching, research and student mentorship. Fellows include Melissa Ellermann, Ph.D. and Tharini Viswanath, Ph.D., who teach in the Honors College.
Cocky’s Reading Express turned 20 in 2025. The folks behind USC’s ongoing effort to promote childhood literacy tell the story, one book at a time. The program provides opportunities for student volunteers, including Honors student Briana Vinson.
2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016