USC Celebrates 2026 PAL Graduates
The University of South Carolina celebrates the newest graduates of its Pipeline for
Academy Leadership (PAL) program—a rigorous, high-impact leadership development experience
designed for mid-level, high-potential faculty and staff preparing to advance into
executive roles in higher education.
Offered through a partnership between the Office of the Provost’s Faculty Development
and the Office of Human Resources’ Office of Organizational and Professional Development,
PAL provides a comprehensive approach to leadership growth. Participants engage in
executive-level learning focused on self-assessment and goal setting, while building
the critical skills needed to lead teams, shape institutional direction, and navigate
complex organizational challenges.
Our leadership development programs are designed for academic leaders and administrative executives who are currently
serving in, or who have the potential to, hold a high-level position at USC, as well
as high-potential staff who have proven responsibility and accountability over specific areas.
2026 PAL Graduates
| Name |
Title |
College/Division/Unit |
| CJ Tamasco |
Senior Associate Director, Social Media Strategy |
Communications and Marketing |
| Kathy Smiling |
Assistant Dean, Student Services |
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management |
| |
Interim Department Chair (August 2026), Associate Professor |
|
| R. Sean Norman |
ENHS PhD/MS Program Director |
Arnold School of Public Health |
| Cameron Hall |
Executive Director of Annual Giving and Lead Generation |
Division of Development |
| Loren Murphy |
Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Advancement Services |
Division of Development |
| Nathan Saunders |
Associate Dean for Special Collections |
University of South Carolina Libraries |
| Jennifer Bess |
Director of National Fellowships |
South Carolina Honors College |
| Henry Tran |
Professor |
College of Education |
| F. Wayne Outten |
Department Chair (July 2026), Professor |
McCausland College of Arts and Sciences |
| |
Director of the Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences and Chaired Professor |
|
| Jill Stewart |
Chaired Professor |
McCausland College of Arts and Sciences |
| Paul Malovrh |
Department Chair and Professor |
McCausland College of Arts and Sciences |
| Joe Fortune |
Director of Business Affairs |
Administration and Finance |
| Brian Favela |
Director of Parking and Transportation |
Administration and Finance |
| Jorge Crichigno |
Department Chair and Professor |
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing |
| Kristinn Wise |
Assistant Dean for Business Operations |
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing |
| Nicole Meares |
Director of Communications and Public Relations |
College of Nursing |
| |
|
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport |
| Scott Smith |
Associate Professor and Associate Director HTMT |
Management |
| Elizabeth Orehovec |
Assistant Vice President |
Enrollment Management |
| Amanda Castles |
Director of Student Well-Being |
Student Affairs and Academic Success |
