Mairead Boland  

Mairead is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the suburbs of New York City. She is majoring in criminology and criminal justice with a double minor in psychology and social work. In addition to her academics, Mairead serves as the Vice President of Carolina Competitive Dance Club, St. Jude Chair for Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and is a McCausland College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador. She is pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) and is planning to attend graduate school in the future!

Grace Blumhardt

Grace is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the suburbs of Charlotte. She is pursuing a major in public relations with a minor in studio art. Since transferring to the University of South Carolina in Fall 2024, she has become an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and Carolina Girls Who Walk. She is also an inductee of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for journalism and mass communication students. This past summer, Grace studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, completing two courses toward her degree. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to the mountains, cooking, and making pottery. After graduation, she hopes to begin a career as a public relations specialist or explore her passion for travel by becoming a flight attendant.

Will Curran

Will is a senior studying political science and business administration. Will started his time at USC as a rising junior after transferring in from the Catholic University of America. Throughout his time at USC he has been involved with activities that include Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity , surf club, and the marketing club. In his free time Will likes to watch and play soccer, cook, and snowboard. 

Ricky Garretson  

Ricky is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the outer suburbs of Philadelphia. He is majoring in computer information systems with a minor in business information management. At USC, he has been involved in two internships and active in greek life. He is also pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) and plans to enter the work force post-graduation. 

Adam Hakes

Adam is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader and is a transfer student from New York. He serves as the Vice President for Tau Sigma Honor Society and is active in the USC Barbell Club. Adam is a veteran student (U.S Army). He likes to spend his free time being physically active and connecting with other students.

Lawson Hare

Lawson is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the Greater Charlotte area. He is a double major in finance and real estate. Throughout his time at USC, he has been involved as the social chair of Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity, Capstone Scholars, in intramural sports, and now as a Carolina Experience Peer Leader!

Ashleigh Howard

Ashleigh is a junior from the upstate of South Carolina. She is a pre-dental honors college student neuroscience major with a minor in studio art with a focus in ceramics. Throughout her time at the university she has been involved in the Black Honors Caucus, the pre-dental honors society Delta Delta Sigma, and undergraduate linguistics research.

Maddy Lawson 

Maddy is a Carolina Experience Graduate Peer Leader from the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She is a second-year graduate student in the Counselor Education Ed.S. program, studying under the Clinical Mental Health track. Maddy earned her bachelor's degree from USC in 2024, majoring in psychology with double minors in Spanish and counselor education, along with Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD). During her undergraduate years, she was actively involved in Carolina Productions, Dance Marathon, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Student Success Center. Currently, Maddy is participating in a graduate research study and has begun her practicum and internship year as a school-based mental health counselor.

Alex Miller 

Alex is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the upstate of South Carolina. Studying at the Darla Moore School of Business, he is majoring in operations and supply chain with a focus on business analytics. On his journey to graduation, Alex has participated in many school events and programs to build career experience and major-specific networking. With the assistance of the career programs, Alex is already working at an internship with a direct hire-on pipeline for GE Vernova. He plans on graduating with Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) and is on track for a career in operations & supply chain or manufacturing administration.

Jenah Muriel

Jenah is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Brooklyn, New York. She is majoring in special education major with a minor in law and society. She has served as the co-director of staff development for Pillars for Carolina and as an event director on the Homecoming Leadership Team. During her time at the University of South Carolina, she was elected President of the Bull Neighborhood within the Residence Hall Association and served two terms on the executive board of the Association of African American Students as community service chair and public relations chair. She has also served on the Carolina Judicial Council. 

Azariah Norman 

Azariah is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the upstate of South Carolina. She is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in women’s and gender studies while following her dream to become an OBGYN.  While attending USC she has been involved in undergraduate research, greek life, Garnet Circle, Changing Carolina Peer Leaders, the Association of African American Students, Black Medical Student Association, and SAVVY. She is pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction and is on track to attend medical school in the future. 

Lanie Painter

Lanie is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from coastal North Carolina and she is majoring in advertising and minoring in event management. Throughout her time here at USC she has studied abroad in Barcelona, been involved in the USC Student Advertising Federation, spent time doing social media for student gamecock television, and is active in greek life.  

Morgan Passley 

Morgan is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the suburbs of New York. She is majoring in theater with a minor is psychology. Throughout her time here at USC, she has been involved in the theater,  peer mentoring programs, and is the former president of  the Association of Transfer Students. Morgan is on track to graduate in May 2026. 

Isha Patel 

Isha is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from upstate South Carolina. She is majoring in biological sciences on the pre-med track with minors in advertising and public relations, psychology, and business administration. Throughout her time at USC, she has enriched her academic journey with two study-abroad experiences, exploring an art course in Accra, Ghana, and an African American studies course in Paris, France. In addition to her academics, Isha serves as president of Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc., and is involved in various leadership and honor societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and Phi Beta Kappa. She is a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, a McCausland College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador, and a Service Saturday Site Leader. Isha is pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction and is on track for graduate school in the future. 

Matt Thorpe

Matt is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the South Carolina Lowcountry. They are majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. Matt is a GED recipient and a transfer student to USC. While at USC, Matt has been involved with WUSC, the student-run radio station, and has had the opportunity to study abroad. Matt is pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) and hopes to continue to graduate school in the future.

Marisa Wilson

Marisa is a senior at the University of South Carolina, majoring in advertising with a minor in entrepreneurship. Originally from the Jersey Shore, she serves as president of Tau Sigma National Honor Society, is a member of Alpha Chi Omega, participates in Bible study, and is involved in the Advertising Club. Marisa previously served as director of the wellness committee and is now social media manager for USC’s Wellness Society. As a senior, she will also be interning with The Carolina Agency in the accounts department and will be graduating in May 2026.