Jennifer Asouzu

Current track in HESA: Student Affairs Administration

Current employment: Marketing Assistant at Stevens & Wilkinson

I was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, and it feels very "full circle" to be earning my Masters at University of South Carolina! I am an alumna of the College of Charleston, where I earned my B.A. in Communication and Theatre-Performance, and a first-year HESA student.

I work full-time off-campus on top of being a full-time student, which speaks to how well the HESA program works with their students! I come from a Communication background, but I have been able to integrate those skills into my experiences working with New Student Orientation, Student Leadership, and Fraternity and Sorority Life in the past.

As I move forward in my Student Affairs career, I am most interested in working with new students and students of color. What I love the most about UofSC is the size! It's a big campus with a lot of opportunity, which is why I chose to come here. What I love the most about the HESA program is the diversity of the courses offered. There is an array of classes that all speak to students' individual interests as Student Affairs professionals.

Ryan P. Edmonds

Current track in HESA: Student Affairs Administration

Current assistantship: Graduate Assistant in the Student Success Center

I have dipped my toes into various areas of student affairs including new student orientation, campus activities and programming, undergraduate research, and academic organizations. I am very interested in exploring the academic affairs side of Higher Education and understanding university's initiatives towards academic engagement and development. What I love about HESA at UofSC is the dedicated and supportive faculty as well as the small class sizes. This helped me transition to a new city a lot easier and feel more at home.

Elizabeth Haas

Current track in HESA: Higher Education Administration

Current assistantship: Graduate Assistant for Orientation and Student Organization Leadership Development at Columbia College

I grew up here in Columbia, and I went to UofSC for undergrad. I fell in love with UofSC on my first visit because of how tight-knit the program was, and how much the faculty cared for the students. I decided on HESA because I want to allow students to have every resource that they might need to have a successful undergraduate experience. Right now, I have the opportunity to work with a student leader on Columbia College's campus to plan a leadership symposium which has been an extremely rewarding and a great learning opportunity for me.

Briana (Bri) McManus

Current track in HESA: Student Affairs Administration

Current assistantship: Assistant Residence Life Coordinator for Housing

I am originally from Cary, North Carolina where the value of education was instilled in me from an early age. I earned my Bachelor's Degrees in Music (B.M.) and Music Education (B.S.Ed.) from Western Carolina University in 2018. My major area of interest in student affairs is working with first-year students, student leaders who serve first-year students, and the families and supporters of first-year students. My passions include support, advocacy, and dismantling systems of oppression. 

What I love about UofSC is the strong community vibe that we have here. There is a pride for the institution all around and you can see it in the everyday walk and talk of the students, faculty, and staff here. My favorite part about being here thus far is my assistantship. Housing has some of the most genuine, caring, kind, and supportive people I have ever met. They have restored my love for this field and my faith in the kind of people doing this work.

I also have such a great respect for my faculty here - you can tell they are extremely passionate about their research and specialized areas plus they are really invested in making sure their students are taken care of. There are so many opportunities to get involved in not only our campus community but the Columbia community which really makes you feel at home here. Carolina is full of culture, community, and pride and I truly believe there is no better place to be than UofSC!

Hamilton T. Wasnick

Current Track in HESA: Student Affairs Administration

Current assistantship:  Graduate Assistant for Student Government

 

I graduated from Auburn University in May of 2019 where I studied History.  I love Higher Education because it gives me the ability to connect with students and help them develop as people.  I am involved in Student Personnel Association,  Freshman Council, and the Governmental Relations team for student government.  In my free time I enjoy watching soccer, reading about history, and playing Dungeons & Dragons.   

Sara Furr, Ph.D.

Graduating year: 2004

Current Position: Dean of Students, Diversity, & Inclusion, School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago

The HESA program gave me a strong foundation of putting theory to practice that has informed my entire professional career.  Additionally, I’m thankful for the personal and professional relationships I made that created a strong network in the field.  It is not uncommon to meet Carolina HESA alum at every institution I visit. 

Patricia A. Whitely, Ph.D.

Graduating year: 1982

Current Position: Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Miami

I received a terrific background at UofSC/HESA. The academic work and the assistantships built a solid foundation for my Student Affairs career.  I could not have asked for a better experience.

Caleb E. Morris

Graduating year: 2019

Current position: Exploratory Advisor and Instructor (UNIV 101 and UNIV 401) at the University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is committed to providing a holistic, engaging, and purposeful experience for students, both within and beyond the classroom. In addition to #1 ranked academic programs such as International Business and University 101, UofSC is a frontrunner in experiential learning, through innovative programs such as Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) and My UofSC Experience. In HESA, I was able to get first-hand experience with many of these nationally recognized initiatives through internships and practica, which greatly enhanced my employability, and gave me many stories to share in interviews. UofSC is a fine institution, and HESA is a fantastic program, and I am so thankful to count myself among the expansive network of Gamecock alumni. Go Cocks!