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Our alumni are not afraid of taking risks and standing out. See how these alumni from the College of Information and Communications have taken their degrees to the next level.
Executive Director Melanie Huggins (MLIS,1995) has been a driving force behind Richland Library's transformation since taking the helm more than a decade ago. We caught up with Huggins to ask about her vision and the role the CIC played in shaping it.
As a finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year, SLIS alumna Tamara Cox has a chance to become the first school librarian ever to take home the state’s top honor for educators. A win could bring more awareness to her profession’s powerful impact on student success.
King's mantra, that libraries make magic happen every single day, is what guides her actions as community relations director for Richland Library — actions that earned her this national recognition
A teacher librarian for third through fifth graders, Thrift cites collaboration and community involvement as key to receiving this national recognition.
Many librarians can only dream about working for the Library of Congress. But for Pamela Nash Davenport (MLIS, '95), it's reality.
Since her time as a Gamecock, Sutton has continued life on the court as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. Known to fans as Swish, she also spends time inspiring young people through her organization, Fan Favorite University.
When Mimi Cunningham graduated from the J-school, she was ready to launch a successful career in public information. Now retired, Mimi shares why she and her husband, Tom, have chosen to give back.
Therese Griffin (B.A., 1982) has done everything from hosting public affairs shows to corporate marketing and communications. Since graduating, her broadcast degree has opened doors — now, she's finding ways to return the favor.
"Say 'Gamecocks,'"Erika Grimes' dad said. "G-A-M-E-C-O-C-K!" She was only 1 at the time. Now she's graduating from USC, as both her parents did and as her two siblings will, too. It's something of a family tradition.
When they're not working together as library media specialist at Westwood High School,Marti Brown and Kathy Carroll are serving together as the newest members of the CIC's Alumni Council.
J-school alumnus Jame Jude Courtney stars alongside actress Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween, a sequel to the same-named 1978 slasher film. But you won't recognize his face. That's because he plays Michael Myers, the masked murderer who's inspired night mares - and Halloween costumes - for the past 40 years.
She may have started out as a pharmacy major, but it didn’t take long for Jessie Knaak to figure out that broadcast journalism was her real calling. Now, she’s racking up Emmy Awards as a producer in the NFL.
Alumnus David Robinson and his 15-year-old son used more than 5,000 Legos to construct the field, stands, ramps, press box, coaches' offices, scoreboard and the rest of Williams-Brice Stadium.
Despite working full time, Bob Wertz has been able to balance family time, teaching, being a student and multiple side projects involving his love of typeface, design and writing.
Jack Bryan credits his degree from the then-College of Librarianship for making his long career in public service possible and hopes that by giving back he can empower others to do the same.
ABC News has just announced that Eva Pilgrim will be an anchor for their Good Morning America weekend show. Pilgrim is a graduate of the journalism school and a past recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
SEC Network has hired Alyssa Lang as a host and anchor for its studio show programming. Lang joins the network as the new host of SEC Featured on Monday nights, and will have a supporting role in SEC Network's hit studio show, Thinking Out Loud.
After graduation, Merritt McNeely used her PR education promoting some of the city's most significant projects. But now these skills are being employed for clients of a boutique integrated communications firm.
During her time in the MLIS program, Susan Elofson says the lessons she learned from her internships, professors and classmates helped prepare her for her current job as school librarian at Eau Claire High School. Read more about how her experience at SLIS and how she's making a difference in students' lives.
Ashley Stevens, MLIS ’11, manages the emerging archival program at the Historic Ford Estates in Michigan.
Alumna Khadijah Dennis founded The Conqueror Movement which gives young, black creative and professional individuals, primarily from the Carolinas, a platform to help establish their brand.
Josh Dawsey, a 2012 SJMC grad, is making a name for himself in the political realm. Dawsey started his career at The Wall Street Journal as a City Hall reporter, then got picked up by POLITICO to be a White House correspondent. Very recently, he was poached by The Washington Post.
Ron Stafford may be a recent alumnus, but he’s already applying the lessons he learned at SLIS in his work as a digitization technician. Read more about how Ron’s passion for preservation and information access is making a difference in his community.
From walking cats in New York to overseeing food photo shoots in Texas, there’s never a dull moment in Jamie Hoffman Brooks’ career. Read about how she uses her degrees from SJMC .
As university archivist, Elizabeth Cassidy West specializes in bringing stories from USC’s history to life. It’s the perfect career for someone with degrees in journalism, history and library and information science.
Suzi Roberts is proof that an SJMC education can prepare graduates for just about anything. The 2016 public relations alumna will compete in the Miss America Pageant in mid-September.
Alumna Chaunte’ (McLean) Turner has helped cover some of the biggest stories in South Carolina. But before she was executive producer at WCSC in Charleston, Turner was a broadcast student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Read about how the lessons she learned at the CIC still resonate today.
For alumnus Marty Young, fun is just part of the job. Whether he’s interviewing celebrities, cracking jokes or winning broadcast awards, Young finds ways to incorporate his J-school education into nearly everything he does.
Richland Library Learning Engagement Manager Susan Lyon is more than just a 2006 MLIS alumna – she’s also a 2017 Public Library Association Fellow. Lyon recently participated in a week-long leadership development program with other library leaders from across the nation.
Kara Durrette, '10 journalism, showcases the Atlanta Falcons and uses all aspects of her Carolina education as the team's digital media producer.
After a rigorous social media campaign, interview, trip to Atlanta and televised competition, a School of Journalism and Mass Communications graduate won a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to interview with some of Atlanta's biggest companies.
An undergraduate degree in information science prepared Ashley Griffith for her current job and to excel in the master's program at the School of Library and Information Science. She's passionate about her career and her programs of study.
Lauren Harper, a 2016 public relations major, now works full time with the mayor of Columbia as his policy and communications advisor. See how her experiences at USC led to success in the work force and more.
Alumna Heather McCue was recognized by the South Carolina Library Association for her outstanding service to the community. McCue says the recognition encourages her to "dream bigger."
Pete the Cat is one cool cat, and so is Katie (Mandy Malone. The 2013 MLIS alumna works as a technical services specialist at the Williamsburg Regional Library in Williamsburg, Va. From dressing as the famous feline children's book character to cataloging materials, see how Malone uses skills she learned through in the School of Library and Information Science.
Desiree Murphy graduated in 2011 with a journalism degree. As a writer/reporter for ETonline and Entertainment Tonight, rubbing elbows with celebrities is all in a day’s work. She credits her professors at the CIC— as well as her experience on the InterCom staff —for preparing her for the fast-paced world of entertainment news.
Former Daily Gamecock editor and Pulitzer Prize-winner Micheal LaForgia exhorted young journalists attending the Buchheit Lecture to carry the mantle of investigative journalism forward, in spite of skeptics who believe the industry is dying.
Tobias Brasier, MLIS, 1994, is the director of web services for the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is passionate about web redesign and is putting his degree to use through a variety of projects for the law school and the Coleman Karesh Law Library. Through his many endeavors, Brasier illustrates just how versatile an MLIS can be.
Karen McMullen is a 1994 MLIS graduate. In addition to working as head of access services for the USC School of Medicine Library, Karen also finds time to make a difference in her community.
Madisyn Kellough, who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2015 with a broadcast journalism degree, won a Southeast Emmy from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The tradition of the USC football team entering in to "2001" works successfully in part to School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate Mark Slice, the associate director of live operations and engineering for USC athletics.
Vicky Free's office at BET Networks offers an enviable view of Midtown Manhattan, but the Spartanburg native and 1992 journalism graduate didn't come to New York to enjoy the view. As the international media company's executive vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer, she's there to do business and get things done.
Joy Callaway is a 2009 MMC graduate. Her novel, The Fifth Avenue Artists Society, was recently published by HarperCollins. See how her experience at the CIC has shaped her career today.
For Tamara King, two things have been major players in her life since day one — community and books. She finally found a way to work both into her career.
M.M.C. student Jennifer Blencowe credits her USC graduate education for helping her land her first job in a television newsroom.
What do Ellen, TMZ and the Big Bang Theory have in common? They are sales properties managed by John O’Hara, a 1982 graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The last thing one may associate with Davis College and the School of Library and Information Science is a baby shower. But that is one of many fond memories for Cecilia and Josh Hem Lee, who both earned Master of Library and Information Science degrees.
Laura Griner's never been to Afghanistan. She doesn't speak Dari or Pashto but the University of South Carolina graduate is hoping to bring a little peace to the country, one children's book at a time.
Stephen Brown’s parents joke that his first words were Bi-Lo and Sears. As a young child, he sang advertising jingles and could recognize a company’s logo. A pop culture fanatic, he would memorize the HBO guide and recite movie reviews for kindergarten show-and-tell.