When Alyssa Lassen walked into her University 101 class for the first time she was immediately put at ease by a familiar and trusted face: her instructor, Amy Maier. In Amy’s full-time role with Undergraduate Admissions she had also served as Alyssa’s point of contact for questions about scholarships and academic programs. When Alyssa registered for classes at orientation, she noticed Amy listed as an instructor for University 101, and without hesitation, enrolled. “I saw her name and thought, ‘This is perfect,’”. For Alyssa, a nursing major from New York, knowing someone at USC recognized her and understood her concerns made the transition feel less intimidating.
Amy sees those early interactions as foundational. “USC does such a great job of giving us opportunities to connect with prospective students, current students and alumni,” Amy said. “You get to see the development of a student the entire way through their Carolina experience.” Amy is one of more than 300 University 101 Instructors who dedicate their time and energy to making a positive impact on first-year students at Carolina. University 101 Instructors work in positions all across the University and bring different perspectives and experiences to teaching. The one thing they have in common is a shared commitment to student success. For many instructors, teaching University 101 allows them to interact with students in a different way than their regular responsibilities.
In U101, Amy and Alyssa’s relationship transformed into a mentorship. The class prioritized connection before content. Students were given space to settle in, talk and build community. “It was my favorite time of the day,” Alyssa said. “Amy’s positive energy was there no matter what. That was really comforting.” Alyssa also shared that as the semester unfolded, U101 became more than a class. It became an anchor, a steady presence during an otherwise overwhelming period of growth and adjustment.
Years later, that impact resurfaced when Alyssa became a U101 Peer Leader herself. “I wanted to make Carolina feel like home for someone else,” she said
Four years after first stepping foot into U101 as a student, Alyssa stepped into a University 101 classroom alongside Amy, as a peer leader.
Alyssa approached the role with intention, remembering what mattered most during her own first year. She learned students’ names quickly. She followed up on conversations. She paid attention to small details.
“Alyssa does a really good job of remembering small details about people,” Amy said. “Those personal connections can make students feel special and included.” Alyssa’s dedication to helping new students paid off. Her students shared that Alyssa’s patience, supportive nature, and desire to help created a learning environment where students felt able to engage and contribute to class. They shared, “Alyssa was always kind, informative, and always a shoulder to lean on. She was so patient with our class and guided us through many challenges throughout the first semester.”
Over time, Amy and Alyssa's relationship has shifted from mentorship to collaboration. Alyssa graduated last spring, and the relationship continues, not because of titles or roles, but because it was built on trust, care and shared experience. Alyssa’s journey reflects the lasting impact of intentional connection at the University of South Carolina, one that begins long before a student steps on campus and continues well beyond graduation.