The 2024-25 academic year celebrated more than 200 high school students impacted by the program
The Office of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement recently hosted its annual Power Forward kickoff at the Pastides Alumni Center, welcoming more than 100 students and their families. The event marked the students’ start in the Power Forward high school pipeline program.
Along with the new scholars, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Lake City Mayor Yamekia Robinson joined the superintendents for Richland County School District One, Craig Witherspoon; Richland County School District Two, Kim Moore; and Florence County School District Three, Laura Hickson, to celebrate the new and continuing Power Forward cohorts.
“Power Forward not only assists us in preparing our students for college and careers, but this innovative initiative also offers our students unique learning opportunities and experiences, resources and connections that will provide them with a competitive advantage when they graduate from high school,” Richland One’s Witherspoon said.
The kickoff event included a brief recognition ceremony where scholars were presented with certificates. Each student had the opportunity to shake the hands of the Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement associate dean Deborah Hazzard, K-12 school administrators and the superintendents of their school districts.
"The blending of university and corporate experiences to impact K-12 students is vital in making students future-ready," Richland Two’s Moore said. "We are grateful to partner with the University of South Carolina and the Darla Moore School of Business to offer this authentic work and college initiative to Richland Two students. Their trajectory is greatly impacted as they gain exposure and insights offered by Power Forward."
During the ceremony, all three districts came together for the first time since Florence School District Three joined the Power Forward partnership. Building connections among the students was a key focus, providing them with the opportunity to network and learn from like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds.
“We are excited to initiate this partnership as we seek to create more opportunities for our students to grow through various cohorts and career pathways,” Florence Three’s Hickson said. “Collaborating with the Darla Moore School of Business will not only enhance these opportunities but also better prepare our students for college and their future careers. This partnership aligns seamlessly with our district's mission, as our goals and objectives reflect the same commitment to student development. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our students’ futures.”
Launched in 2021, the collaboration between the Moore School and Richland County School Districts One and Two has served more than 200 students since its inception. This year’s kickoff event included students from Florence School District Three, which includes Lake City, the hometown of Darla Moore, the business school’s namesake.
“Seeing so many students and families positively impacted by programs like Power Forward is enriching,” said Hazzard, also a Moore School management clinical associate professor. “It’s a profound reminder of the power of education and community support in transforming lives. For many students and families, programs like Power Forward represent a gateway to opportunities that might have otherwise been out of reach.”
The Power Forward initiatives provide students with college-prep assistance; an immersive understanding of business; mentorships; hands-on learning in their chosen fields; and the possibility of enrolling at the Darla Moore School of Business for students who meet all admission requirements.
“It is important for the Moore School to engage in these partnerships. As a state institution, we need to create pipelines for students,” said Mark Richter, the Moore School’s senior director of development. “It is also important for the Moore School to be a leader when it comes to bringing together philanthropists, corporate partners, community members and others to make a difference in our state and communities.”
The Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement is enthusiastic about the Power Forward program’s growth as the initiative continues serving South Carolina. They hope to expand the program into other South Carolina school districts in the coming years.
Proposed Changes: The Office of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement is excited about the growth of the Power Forward program as it continues to serve students across South Carolina, Hazzard said.
“With its proven success in preparing students for college and business careers, the program aims to create even greater impact by expanding into more school districts statewide,” she said. “By reaching a broader audience, we hope to provide even more students with valuable mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities and pathways to higher education at the Darla Moore School of Business. Our long-term goal is to ensure that students have access to the tools and support they need to succeed in both academic and professional environments.”
-Christian Osborne