The College of Education is pleased to announce Lauren Brown, an academic adviser in the Office of Student Services, has received the prestigious University of South Carolina University M. Stuart Hunger Award for Outstanding Teaching in University 101.

Lauren has worked at the College of Education for more than seven years — first as a graduate assistant, then as full-time staff after receiving her Ed.S. in Counselor Education from the college. Brown has taught University 101 for 6 years.

Formerly called The University 101 Teacher of the Year award, this annual award recognizes one University 101 instructor each year who has demonstrated exemplary teaching, achievement of course outcomes, and has made a positive impact on student lives. Award winners are determined by a combination student nomination and committee decision each year.

Donna Watson, Director of the Office of Student Services, explains Lauren’s dedication to student success.

“From the time Lauren began working as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Services, she was an exemplary employee. She worked with existing staff to learn information about programs in the College of Education so she could be helpful to students and parents who contacted her. She has a very strong work ethic, and routinely works to ensure her advisees have their questions answered. Faculty also depend on her to ask questions and make suggestions that have the student’s best interest in mind,” she explained.

“Lauren is a wonderful asset in the Office of Student Services. I know if she’s working on a project it will reach a successful completion. Her UNIV 101 students are important to her, and she wants them to be successful at UofSC. I’m very proud and happy that she has won this award,” Watson concluded.

In 2013, Lauren received the College of Education's Rising Star Award for her dedication to students, faculty and staff. 

Lauren’s win marks the second time in recent years that a College of Education faculty or staff member has received the University 101 Teacher of the Year Award. Kimberly Smoak, Campus Director of SC Teaching Fellows at USC, and College of Education faculty member, received the award in 2012.

UofSC’s University 101 is a national model for first-year seminars, and is consistently named by US News and World Report as a “program to look for.” The courses are team-taught by instructors drawn from departments across the Columbia and system campuses who are assisted by graduate students and undergraduate peer leaders, making these courses settings for active and collaborative teaching and learning.