The Darla Moore School of Business Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement is committed to creating a lasting impact through education, fostering a community that values access and providing opportunities through active community engagement. Read on for a snapshot of their impact and outcomes in 2023-24. 

Power Forward Program expands to Florence 3

While the Dominion Energy Power Forward program initially launched with Richland County School Districts One and Two, it recently expanded to include Florence School District 3, which includes Lake City High School, the alma mater of the Moore School’s namesake Darla Moore.

The Power Forward high school pipeline program seeks to pique students' interest in business careers while linking them to the unmatched resources at the world-renowned Moore School. Power Forward provides a potential pathway to enrollment at the Darla Moore School of Business through career mentoring, college planning, field studies, conferences and other programming for South Carolina high school students.

Plans are to expand the high school pipeline program across additional South Carolina school districts in the coming years to continue changing lives through education.

Rising Scholars and Business Success Academy programs earn 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Awards

The Darla Moore School of Business won Insight into Diversity magazine’s 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Awards for both the Rising Scholars and Business Success Academy programs. 

The award honors business schools that encourage, support and give opportunities to underrepresented students interested in pursuing a business career. 

The Rising Scholars program connects South Carolina-resident students pursuing degrees within the Moore School with key opportunities and resources across campus. The Rising Scholars program seeks to develop a strong community of scholars with a solid foundation for success. Incoming freshmen selected for the program become part of a cohort of motivated individuals dedicated to honing the skills needed to become successful leaders.   

The Business Success Academy is a five-day residential summer program offering a highly interactive and engaging experience for students, including rising high school juniors and seniors in South Carolina. Tailored to provide participants with insights into various facets and functional areas of business, the program offers a glimpse into the life of a Moore School student. Throughout the program, participants receive high-level, focused instruction in core business courses including accounting, data analytics, marketing, leadership and business communications.

“We are honored that Insight into Diversity has recognized our successes with this prestigious national award,” said Dr. Deborah Hazzard, Moore School associate dean for access, opportunity and community engagement.

Rising Scholars graduate and flourish 

Congratulations to the 16 Rising Scholars who graduated from the Moore School and USC during the 2023-24 academic year. 

The Rising Scholars program, which entered its sixth year in 2023-24, was launched in 2018 to improve access, opportunity and outcomes for South Carolina resident students with the broader aim of positively impacting workforce and economic development outcomes within the state of South Carolina.

Rising Scholars attend a tailored session of the University 101 first-year experience course; participate in customized academic and professional development and social activities; network with successful alumni; connect with faculty and peer mentors; have access to peer tutors and ad hoc academic resources; receive personal finance education; and more. They may also be eligible for renewable scholarships. 

“The program has provided information on many events for job exploration, internships and peer mentoring opportunities,” said Kyla Walker, ’24 business management and human resources; she is also joining the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Alongside Walker, the Rising Scholars graduates include:

• Kinsey Selander, accounting
• Danielle Marks, economics and international business
• Claire Rish, management
• Kaylin Hammonds, management and marketing
• Leeanna Wong, marketing
• Taniah German, accounting
• Jordan Alexander-Coleman, marketing
• Faizan Vhora, marketing
• Shanel Gordon, accounting
• Xavier Alexander, management and real estate
• Jaida King, marketing
• James Sharp, accounting
• Jordan Shetrone, finance
• Ivy Lee, finance and international business
• Georgia Calhoun, accounting and finance

“I would 100 percent recommend the Rising Scholars program; it’s easy to get lost in such a large university, but this program helps keep you grounded and jumpstart your networking skills,” Walker said.

The 2024-25 cohort of Rising Scholars has been selected and are eagerly preparing to join the Moore School community in fall 2024.

Moore School collaborates with five local HBCUs to support SC workforce

The Darla Moore School of Business is building relationships with South Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to brainstorm how the institutions can collaborate to create, enhance and elevate programs for South Carolina’s students and workforce.

In 2023-24, Dean Rohit Verma, deans and leadership from business schools at local South Carolina HBCUs and the Moore School’s Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement discussed the next steps in providing greater opportunities for college students in the state. HBCUs partnering with the Moore School include Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clinton College and South Carolina State University. 

The ultimate goal of further collaboration among South Carolina higher education institutions is to help educate and prepare South Carolina residents for success, said Deborah Hazzard, associate dean for access, opportunity, and community engagement at the Moore School. 

“When we educate people in South Carolina, then we have a more qualified and capable workforce,” Hazzard said. “The state will reap the benefits through economic development given that more companies will want to come to our state because we have a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.”

Learn more about the Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement’s initiatives and programs.