When you participate in Pillars for Carolina, you'll enjoy an unforgettable week of leadership and traditions while making lifelong friends.
Students who participate in the Pillars for Carolina program start their first year feeling more confident about life in the classroom with a greater knowledge of campus and gain new friendships with student mentors, faculty and staff members.
Pillars for Carolina is an experience where participants will have a unique opportunity to become acquainted with campus, explore the USC and Columbia community, and have an opportunity to transition to Carolina with other incoming students. Pillars for Carolina is committed to helping students develop self-awareness, enhance relationships, and prepare you for your first semester at USC!
Through Pillars for Carolina, incoming students will have the opportunity to stay in a residence hall, serve the Columbia community, learn the traditions of Carolina, make new friends, and most importantly, have fun!
Pillars TRADITIONS is a four-day session of Pillars for Carolina, focused on helping incoming students form strong connections with their peers, familiarize themselves with campus, and learn about USC traditions. TRADITIONS will include activities geared towards helping incoming students get as comfortable with the campus and other incoming and current students, ensuring they have a strong support system come fall semester.
With TRADITIONS, you will stay on campus longer and participate in special TRADITIONS activities, like dinner in Williams-Brice Stadium!
Dates: Tuesday, July 15th - Friday, July 18th, 2025
Cost: $450 (includes lodging, meals, and activities)
You're here! Day 1 of Pillars will be spent moving into your room, meeting other Pillars participants, and being placed in your "Family Group". Family Groups will be the group that you stay with throughout the week, led by two of our eXtended Mentors (XM's), upperclassman who have been training to help you transition to USC all spring semester!
Some activities on day one include: Opening Ceremonies (dinner and overview of Pillars), Ice Breakers, and Willy-B 101 (USC chants, cheers, songs, and traditions).
Welcome to day two of Pillars! Day 2 will be spent around campus and the Columbia community. Participants will start the day with a scavenger hunt around campus before joining upperclassmen at a lunch where they will be paired with other participants based on majors. Participants will then have some time to explore "Cola" as we visit Main Street in Downtown Columbia. In the afternoon, participants will learn more about the history of USC in a fun and interactive way. After dinner, we will have an opportunity to discuss different challenges or situations that might arise during your first year in college and how to overcome those to be successful Gamecocks!
Some activities on day two include: The Amazing Race (USC scavenger hunt), Main Street time, So You Wanna Be a Gamecock? (USC history trivia), and For a Gamecock (challenges you may face your first year at USC).
It's day three here at Pillars! Day 3 is an exciting day exploring campus, with a lunch in the Greek Village, free time at the Wellness and Fitness Center (including pool time, if you want!), and dancing! While participants eat lunch in one of our Greek houses in the Village, they will learn ways to engage around campus their first year, including Greek Life, student organizations, how to be civically engaged, and service opportunities. After lunch, let's have some fun in our Wellness and Fitness Center, where you'll have access to basketball courts, racquetball courts, outside pool, sand volleyball courts, and our 52' climbing wall! After dinner, participants will join in a Pillars tradition: Shag Night, where they will learn the state dance, shag. As we close the night and reflect on the week, participants will reflect in a candlelight ceremony around the Thomas Cooper Library Reflection Pool (the same fountain that our students jump in with every national championship win!).
Some activities on day three include: lunch in the Greek Village, Community Service, Wellness and Fitness Center time, Shag Night, and Candlelight Ceremony.
Done already?! It's the last day of Pillars and we're going out with a bang! Day 4 is full of fun as participants partake in the annual Garnet and Black Olympics! Remember field day in elementary school? Pump it up to Gamecock level and you're ready to play! Participants will close out their time in Pillars with their Family Groups before they leave at 3:00P, ready for their return in August.
Some activities on day four include: Group photos, Garnet and Black Olympics, and Family Group reflection time.
Pillars EXPLORE is a three-day session of Pillars for Carolina, dedicated to helping incoming students explore campus and the Columbia area and form strong bonds with their peers in a friendly, competitive environment. Students will participate in activities designed to teach them how to get around campus and Columbia's walkable districts, such as Main Street and Five Points, as well as participate in fun, bracket-style challenges aimed at fostering collaboration and connection with their fellow incoming students.
With EXPLORE, you will have ample time to explore the Columbia community in Five Points and Main Street districts as well as compete in fun, tournament-style activities throughout the three days.
Dates: Sunday, July 20th - Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
Cost: $350 (includes lodging, meals, and activities)
You're here! Day 1 of Pillars will be spent moving into your room, meeting other Pillars participants, and being placed in your "Family Group". Family Groups will be the group that you stay with throughout the week, led by two of our eXtended Mentors (XM's), upperclassman who have been training to help you transition to USC all spring semester! Participants will then have some time to explore "Cola" as we visit Five Points in Downtown Columbia. In the afternoon, participants will learn more about the history of USC in a fun and interactive way.
Some activities on day one include: Opening Ceremonies (dinner and overview of Pillars), Ice Breakers, and Willy-B 101 (USC chants, cheers, songs, and traditions), The Amazing Race (USC scavenger hunt), Five Points Scavenger Hunt, and So You Wanna Be a Gamecock? (USC history trivia).
Welcome to day two of Pillars! Day 2 will be spent around campus and the Columbia community. Participants will have lunch in the Greek Village, free time at the Wellness and Fitness Center (including pool time, if you want!), and dancing! While participants eat lunch in one of our Greek houses in the Village, they will learn ways to engage around campus their first year, including Greek Life, student organizations, how to be civically engaged, and service opportunities. After lunch, let's have some fun in our Wellness and Fitness Center, where you'll have access to basketball courts, racquetball courts, outside pool, sand volleyball courts, and our 52' climbing wall! After dinner, participants will join in a Pillars tradition: Shag Night, where they will learn the state dance, shag. As we close the night and reflect on the week, participants will reflect in a candlelight ceremony around the Thomas Cooper Library Reflection Pool (the same fountain that our students jump in with every national championship win!).
Some activities on day two include: lunch in the Greek Village, Wellness and Fitness Center time, Main Street time, Shag Night, and Candlelight Ceremony.
Done already?! It's the last day of Pillars and we're going out with a bang! Day three will consist of closing activities and reflections as well as learning about ways to be involved on campus. Check-out will be at 3:00P.
Pillars LEAD is a three-day session of Pillars for Carolina, dedicated to helping incoming students learn about leadership skill development and community involvement opportunities at USC. Participants will explore campus and learn about different ways to get involved in organizations and leadership roles on campus.
Students will participate in fun activities centered around team building and leadership development. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a group service project, like painting the historic Gamecock on Greene Street!
With LEAD, you will explore your leadership capabilities as a college student, learn how to get involved in student organizations and on-campus events, and serve the USC community.
Dates: Wednesday, July 23rd - Friday, July 25th, 2025
Cost: $350 (includes lodging, meals, and activities)
You're here! Day 1 of Pillars will be spent moving into your room, meeting other Pillars participants, and being placed in your "Family Group". Family Groups will be the group that you stay with throughout the week, led by two of our eXtended Mentors (XM's), upperclassman who have been training to help you transition to USC all spring semester! In the afternoon, participants will learn more about the history of USC in a fun and interactive way.
Some activities on day one include: Opening Ceremonies (dinner and overview of Pillars), Ice Breakers, and Willy-B 101 (USC chants, cheers, songs, and traditions), The Amazing Race (USC scavenger hunt), and So You Wanna Be a Gamecock? (USC history trivia).
Welcome to day two of Pillars! Day 2 will be spent around campus. Participants will have lunch in the Greek Village, participate in service, and end the night dancing! While participants eat lunch in one of our Greek houses in the Village, they will learn ways to engage around campus their first year, including Greek Life, student organizations, how to be civically engaged, and service opportunities. Participants will get an opportunity to participate in some personal leadership development as well as group leadership. Next, participants will partake in service on campus and learning more about opportunities to service through their time at USC. After dinner, participants will join in a Pillars tradition: Shag Night, where they will learn the state dance, shag. As we close the night and reflect on the week, participants will reflect in a candlelight ceremony around the Thomas Cooper Library Reflection Pool (the same fountain that our students jump in with every national championship win!).
Some activities on day two include: lunch in the Greek Village, leadership development, service, Shag Night, and Candlelight Ceremony.
Done already?! It's the last day of Pillars and we're going out with a bang! Day three will consist of closing activities and reflections as well as learning about ways to be involved on campus, and Main Street time. Check-out will be at 3:00P.
Pillars for Carolina prides itself on making the transition to USC more comfortable for first-year students by providing an opportunity for self-discovery and campus exploration before you come for your first semester.
**Registration fees go towards all space rentals and activities for participants during the program**
**If you are participating in New Student Orientation on July 15-16 or July 22-23, you will be able to check-out of orientation and check-in to Pillars on time.
After registration, you will receive an email with a full packing list.
Executive Director
Sophomore
Majors: Biology and Public Health
Hometown: Summerville, SC
Campus Involvement: Pillars for Carolina, Resident Assistant (RA), Gamecock Rowing Club, Student Organization Funding Advisory Board (SOFAB), Student Life Advisory Group (SLAG), Undergraduate Research, First-Generation, Honors College, Phi Delta Epsilon.
Director of Operations
Junior
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Bahama, NC
Campus Involvement: Pillars for Carolina, Galen Health Fellows, Resident Assistant (RA), Student Life Advisory Group (SLAG), Pre-PT Club, Exercise Science Club, Campus Ministries.
Co-Director of Staff Development
Sophomore
Major: Marketing, concentration in Product Management
Hometown: Cameron, NC
Campus Involvement: Pillars for Carolina, Alpha Gamma Delta, Club Cheer, American Marketing Association.
Co-Director of Staff Development
Sophomore
Major: Middle Level Education, concentration in Math & English
Hometown: Santo Domingo, DR
Campus Involvement: Pillars for Carolina, Latinos in Development, Education, and Representation (L.I.D.E.R.), Global Fellows, Epsilon Sigma Alpha.
Director of Marketing and Media
Junior
Major: Visual Communications, concentration in Sports Media
Hometown: Rochelle Park, NJ
Campus Involvement: Pillars for Carolina, Gamecock Athletics New and Creative Media Photography & Graphic Design, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, University 101 Peer Leader, Capstone Scholar, Preston Residential College for Leadership, The Daily Gamecock Photography.
Director of Community Outreach
Sophomore
Major: Hospitality Management and Business Management
Hometown: Dillon, SC
Campus Involvement: Pillars for Carolina, Sustainable Carolina, Restaurant Lodging Association, Zero Waste Team, Preston Residental College for Leadership.
Pillars for Carolina Advisor
Assistant Director for Leadership Education
Leadership and Service Center
blw@sc.edu
803-544-1430
Pillars for Carolina Advisor
Coordinator for Leadership Education
Leadership and Service Center
dixd@sc.edu
803-576-6163
Pillars for Carolina Advisor
Associate Director, Leadership and Service Center
Leadership and Service Center
caublej@sc.edu
803-777-2811
We are excited to build a committed team of upperclassman students who will help provide incoming students with an unforgettable transition to USC! Pillars has an updated Leadership Team and we encourage you to review the updated position descriptions below:
The Executive Director for Pillars for Carolina will work closely with Pillars Advisors to plan, implement, and lead the Pillars for Carolina extended orientation program, with the Executive Director’s main purpose to lead the Leadership Team.
One student will be selected to serve as the Executive Director.
Weekly Time on Task: ~8-10 hours
Stipend: After successful completion of experience (based on My USC Experience rubric), the Pillars for Carolina Executive Director may receive a stipend up to $1,000 for their leadership.
To apply, click HERE. Application closes on Monday, September 1st at 11:59P.
The Director for Community Outreach will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan and lead outreach efforts to the key campus and community partners involved in Pillars, such as faculty speakers, third-party vendors and program alumni. They will also plan and execute a fundraising strategy for Pillars for Carolina and oversee the Community Managers (CMs).
One student will be selected to serve as the Director for Community Outreach.
The Director for Marketing and Media will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan and execute a creative content strategy for promoting Pillars on social media and other appropriate platforms. They will oversee the Media Managers (MMs).
One student will be selected to serve as the Director for Marketing, Outreach, and Media.
The Director for Operations will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan and execute all logistics associated with Pillars, such as the program schedule and curriculum, coordination of personnel and venue setup/cleanup. They will oversee the Operations Managers (OMs).
One student will be selected to serve as the Director for Operations.
The Director for Staff Development will work closely with the Executive Director and Advisors to plan, implement and lead training and development of eXtended Mentors (XMs).
Two students will be selected to serve as the Co-Director for Staff Development.
Rising sophomore, junior, or senior Gamecocks who will communicate strategically with the campus and community partners involved in Pillars and assist with fundraising efforts for the program.
Rising sophomore, junior, or senior Gamecocks who will serve as guides and mentors for incoming students during their Pillars week, first semester at USC, and beyond. XMs will be a resource throughout the college transition.
Rising sophomore, junior, or senior Gamecocks who will create multimedia content to promote Pillars on social media and other platforms as well as record photo and video content during the weeks of Pillars.
Rising sophomore, junior, or senior Gamecocks who will work to execute all logistics associated with Pillars for Carolina.
For additional information on Pillars Staff positions, please contact Dani Dix.