Video interview with Jacob May
Jacob comes from a long line of software developers, so his interest in information science came naturally. He is now using the skills he learned at Check Point Software Technologies.
Current News
From advertising major to full-time Instagram, TikTok content creator
Carson Light has built her own personal brand through social media, accumulating over 31,000 followers on Instagram and over 4 million views on TikTok.
24/7 PR: Stephen Brown’s multiverses
PR guru, movie critic, collector and diehard Gamecock fan — alumnus Stephen Brown does a little bit of everything.
J-school honors accomplished alumni at annual ceremony
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications presented awards to five alumni at the annual awards ceremony. The awards recognize exceptional graduates whose careers represent significant professional achievement.
Meteorologist to manager: Darci Strickland's story
Alumna and award-winning journalist Darci Strickland began her career with WLTX as a meteorologist but has recently entered a new role as content manager and senior journalist, spending part of her day managing and part of her day reporting and anchoring.
The mustard in the sandwich
Don’t know Humpy Wheeler? You don’t know NASCAR! This journalism alumnus even has an IMDB page. He's the voice of Tex Dinoco, the smooth-talking gold 1975 Cadillac Coupe de Ville in the Pixar film Cars 3.
Reigning supreme
For food service industry veep Stacey McCray, it’s always Bo Time! With her master's in public relations from the SJMC, she plays a critical role in ensuring things run smoothly as Bojangles promotes tailgating and football traditions.
USC graduates dive deep and discover dream careers at Riverbanks Zoo
How many alumni does it take to open a new aquarium filled with 11,000 animals? Turns out, quite a few. And three of them were Ad/PR majors.
Alex Grant runs it back
Broadcast journalism graduate Alex Grant produces exciting social media video content for the Carolina Panthers. The Columbia native cut his teeth in Gamecock Productions.
iSchool Spotlight: Adia Caldwell
As a social media community manager for PepsiCo, information science graduate Adia Caldwell ('21) serves up content for Quaker’s ready-to-eat brands, including Cap’n Crunch and Quaker Chewy.
Alumna Erika Ryan is representative of the next generation of storytellers
From editor-in-chief of "Garnet and Black" magazine to interviewing Martin Scorsese, Erika Ryan has left an impression on every newsroom in her career path. The mass communications alumna has explored almost all forms of news media from being a print journalism major to now producing National Public Radio’s "All Things Considered."
Seven degree shift
Chris Horn doesn't want to make a big deal about retirement, but the University of South Carolina community will miss him. Horn, who retired in December 2022, has been a mainstay at his alma mater for 34 years.
Now streaming: MLIS grad makes herself heard at Sling TV
Sara DeSantis got over her shyness after completing her Master of Library and Information Science degree and with her newfound confidence has been put to the test in her newest role as a content acquisitions specialist at Sling TV.
PR grad Lauren Harper drives political engagement, pitches big tent
Lauren Harper knows what she wants, but she also knows when to pivot. In high school, she planned to pursue a journalism career, but she switched to public relations her freshman year at USC, caught the public service bug then carved her own path.
Life by the reins
Kristen Terebesi. If you follow USC’s equestrian team, you might recognize the name. Terebesi discovered her passion for horses early and has been turning heads as an equestrian competitor for as long as she can remember.
Jack Claypoole gets it done
Jack Claypoole likes to finish things — and there’s always something else that needs finishing. Right now, that means shepherding projects as executive director for strategic initiatives for his alma mater.
iSchool spotlight: Reflections from our undergraduate alumni
What do a policy analyst for a law and lobbying firm and a technology consultant at Ernst and Young (EY) have in common? ... A deep appreciation for their undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS) degree and a love for their alma mater, the University of South Carolina.
DIY enthusiasts thrive through difficult times
Chance and Mackenzie Edwards packed a lot of life into a short time period: They got married, went on a honeymoon; he got laid off and they started a business — all during a pandemic. But for the CIC graduates, the struggles led to something they’re now thankful for.
City of love
J-school alumnus Jay Pou and iSchool alumna Katherine Magner are husband and wife and members of the Columbia chapter of the USC Alumni Association. They demonstrate pride in not only USC but Columbia.
Willingness to take rejection in stride brought an alumna’s dreams to fruition
Growing up, Kimberly Elchlepp, PR 2012, religiously watched sports TV when she wasn’t playing volleyball or softball. She went on to make her sports enthusiasm into a career as a college sports senior publicist for ESPN, but not without a few detours in her career path.
Archived News
Former television anchor now sparks love of nature for children
It’s been a long road from journalism to children’s books for Angela McCurry May, an alumna of the College of Information and Communications. She always planned to report the news — and she has. Now, she is also making the news as a New York Times bestselling children’s book co-author.
Royal Roots: Former Miss Gamecock competes for Miss USA Crown
School of Journalism and Mass Communications graduate and former Miss Gamecock, Meera Bhonslé will compete for the title of Miss USA on Oct. 3.
Two USC alumni part of Pulitzer-winning journalism teams
University of South Carolina alumni Josh Dawsey of The Washington Post and Win McNamee of Getty Images are both part of teams that were awarded Pulitzer Prizes in journalism on May 9.
Photojournalist alumnus wins Pulitzer Prize
In his nearly 40-year career as a photojournalist, Win McNamee has documented world history and national calamity — and periodically found himself in the thick of the action.
Why not? What if?
Romance, historical fiction, sci-fi — for young adult novelist and public relations alumna Shanna Miles, it’s all fair game. It’s also rocket fuel for the imagination, whether she’s typing up the next interstellar adventure or turning kids on to reading and writing as a virtual school librarian.
Roads not taken
Diplomat Lee Satterfield, journalism '89, missed her first stop but ended up just where she wanted.
'Good Morning America,' Gamecock edition
This week, three University of South Carolina broadcast alumni came home as part of the Good Morning America takeover at Colonial Life Arena.
Journalism alumna reporting on Ukraine invasion
But as a foreign correspondent for The Washington Post, Khurshudyan is firmly embedded in covering a war between Russia and Ukraine.
Career Month Spotlight: Kerry Moore
"Offer Accepted. Resignation Submitted. Ready to Share the Most Exciting News EVER." As part of February Career Month, Kerry Moore shares her first person account of a recent career change.
Alumna’s passion for storytelling leads to prestigious fellowship
From growing up listening to NPR podcasts to now being an NPR Kroc Fellow, mass communications alumna Taylor Jennings-Brown has turned her passion for storytelling into a career.
Alumni Spotlight: Arlington Johnson
Arlington Johnson used his bachelor's in information science from South Carolina in 2020 to get his career off the ground — first as a flight instructor for Auburn University and soon as a pilot for Envoy Air in.
Decorated beyond measure
The first thing that jumps off the page when you scan Ida Williams Thompson's resumè is the copious list of awards she has won. Read how this iSchool alumna went from an aspiring medical student to an award-winning librarian.
Alumni Spotlight: Christine "Lizzie" Howell discusses running the social media platforms of the oldest engineering society in America
The social media presence of the oldest and one of the most prestigious engineering organizations, the American Society of Civil Engineers, is in the hands of University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications alumna Lizzie Howell.
Journalism through numbers: Alumna tells stories with statistics
If you turned to the internet for insights leading up to the 2020 presidential election, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with vis comm alumna Anna Wiederkehr’s work.
A leg up
For first- generation college graduate Emily Chavez, '19, being one of the first of three University of South Carolina students to earn the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations has given her resume an invaluable edge.
Reaching more patients in need
SJMC alumnus Murray Howard worked with The Carolina Agency, the school's student-run PR agency, to create a strategic communications plan for USC's Aphasia Lab.
Contemplating the library of the future
Alumnus Jason Broughton discusses his new post at the Library of Congress and emerging trends in library and information science.
A chance on education
Alumnus Larry Thomas says he could have done a lot of things with his gifts to the university, but that there was no doubt he wanted to invest in underrepresented students.
Teachers of the year
Teacher of the Year recipients Erin Long and Shelley Ward are prime examples of librarians who exercise their education in many more ways than logging book checkouts.
From the city of dreams to the city that never sleeps
SJMC alumnae Jordan Grimmesey and Kathryn Stoudemire brought a piece of the University of South Carolina with them by moving together to New York City.
Research rabbit holes
With boundless information at our fingertips, it’s easy to get lost in curiosity. A simple search can lead to a page, which leads to another, which leads to several more . . . . MLIS alumna Jenna Strawbridge channels this same unique, relentless curiosity daily — and she’s lucky enough to call it her career.
True grit
MMC and health communication certificate alumna Sara Sinclair wants to help people live a healthy lifestyle and improve their food mindset through her business, Get Gritty Nutrition.
Tori Richman scores big at the Super Bowl
Nearly 6 million Americans gathered to watch the 2021 Super Bowl as Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought home the title. But as most people watched from their TVs, SJMC alumna Tori Richman watched through her camera lens on the sideline.
Library Journal names iSchool alumna to class of 2021 Movers & Shakers
Christina Fuller-Gregory was one of 46 individuals honored for moving the profession forward. She was chosen for her advocacy for justice and commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the field of librarianship.
iSchool alumna's new book gives children with limb differences a character like themselves
School media specialist Alexis Cannon Hale (2010 MLIS) was disappointed when she found out about the under representation of limb loss in children's literature. Her discovery inspired her to write "It's Me, Zoey!" starring her daughter as the main character.
iSchool Innovators: Jonah Rotholz
Jonah Rotholz, who made headlines last year after he and Nick Jeffcoat won the undergraduate division of The Proving Ground, shares how his information science major prepared him to become an entrepreneur and offers advice to students hoping to follow in his footsteps.
From NABJ to USA Today
Analis Bailey landed a reporting job during one of the craziest times a newsroom has ever seen — 2020. But Bailey is succeeding in her new role thanks to the tools, lessons and experiences she acquired at the SJMC.
The path to Twitter
Nya Simone ('19 public relations) paved a path for herself during her undergraduate years at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and continues to do so. Now she's landed one of her biggest roles yet -- customer success specialist for Twitter. Read our spotlight on Simone to learn more.
The heart of the school
For many students, March 2020 became a pivotal moment. Classes went online, and teachers began rescheduling deadlines while trying to figure out how exactly the pandemic would affect learning. Luckily, school librarians have played a critical role in helping everyone adapt.
Empowering excellence: Ken Baldwin
Ken Baldwin always wanted to help budding journalists excel in business and financial reporting. After a successful career in journalism, he is finally able to do it.
A woman's place is in politics
Powerful women in politics are responsible for some of the world’s greatest accomplishments and innovations. And two of our alumni, Lauren Harper and Amanda Loveday, are among those leaving their mark and paving the way for others.
Learning with love
Puppets, puppies and karaoke. These are some of the nontraditional tools that alumna Penny Esterley uses to teach at Community Literacy Lab.
A little push goes a long way
Lee Wardlaw almost changed his major — until he met professor Michelle LaRoche. Her class and a "push" prepared him for challenges he would face later in his career.
Congress still shall make no law
J-school alumnae Miranda Parnell experienced violence firsthand while reporting for WIS News at a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Columbia. It prompted discussions on how to balance the importance of covering these events with the safety of those covering them.
Quick takes
News and notes from the College of Information and Communications, which includes short updates on outstanding alumni, Cocky's Reading Express and a video created by SJMC students which featured Dawn Staley, Dabo Swinney and Darius Rucker.
How growing up in Aynor prepared one of the nation’s top reporters to cover Trump
Years before he would be covering the most powerful people in the world, SJMC alumnus Dawsey began his journalism career in Aynor, his hometown where his parents still have a farm today. Read more about Dawsey in this story from The Post and Courier.
An immense love of people
Broadcast journalism alumna Rosalyn Durant is now senior vice president of operations at Walt Disney World Resort supporting Disney Springs, Water Parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports — a long way from Columbia. But the lessons she learned at South Carolina have guided her through her career and still push her forward today.
CIC duo cashes in at business startup competition
Amidst the glow of cameras, teleprompters and various screens, Nick Jeffcoat and Jonah Rotholz pitched their startup business, parAnimo, to a panel of experts and spectators at The Proving Ground, the Darla Moore School of Business’ entrepreneurial ventures pitch competition.
Paving the path
To some, the NFL may seem like an industry dominated by men, but photographers Kara Durrette and Tori Richman have a different thought.
A degree 49 years in the making
After a life of presidential planes, television commercials and documentaries, George Patterson is keeping his promise to his parents and finishing his degree at the University of South Carolina.