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The Center for Applied Research and Evaluation (CARE) is focused on evaluation and public service designed to improve the practices of the health care delivery system and the health policies of South Carolina and beyond.
June 8, 2023 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Catrina Plyler was one of millions of Americans who lost their jobs as COVID-19 ravaged the United States. Thankfully, the Center for Applied Research and Evaluation (CARE) was hiring.
“I lost my job during the pandemic, which turned out to be a huge blessing because I absolutely love being back at the university, and I love this team.” Plyler says.
A lifelong Gamecock, the Columbia, South Carolina native studied hospitality, retail and sports management as an undergraduate at USC. She spent the first decade of her career working in real estate and gaining experience in administrative and accounting services.
I have met many people in this town, but this team is full of genuine individuals that want to improve the lives of the people in our community.
In 2012, Plyler returned to USC as a staff member for student services. She spent four years as an administrative coordinator – working closely with fraternities and sororities to process housing applications, provide substance abuse prevention/education programming and oversee a budget comprised of 23 accounts.
The next four years saw Plyler shifting back to real estate where she worked until the pandemic put a strain on her employers. In 2020, she joined CARE as the business manager, where she works at their off-campus location near the Riverbanks zoo.
Plyler’s role includes managing the center’s budgets and working with principal investigators to ensure alignment between the original proposals and actual expenditures. She also handles human resources activities: posting job vacancies, managing interviews and onboarding procedures, updating time and effort, etc.
Plyler has continued her professional development by completing USC’s LEAD: Supervisory Essentials training as well as the GRANT Certificate Program. She was also an inaugural member of the Gamecock Ambassadors group in 2022 and hopes to return to the role this fall.
“I have met many people in this town, but this team is full of genuine individuals that want to improve the lives of the people in our community,” Plyler says of her favorite part of her work. “I take great pride in being with such amazing people doing phenomenal work.”
The feeling is mutual.
“Catrina started with us during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says CARE director Pamela Gillam. “Can you imagine how difficult that must have been to learn all the administrative aspects of your position and build relationships with people you haven’t met face to face? Catrina jumped into the work headfirst. She is a quick learner, so kind-hearted, has a 'how can I help?' attitude, and brought so many talents and skills that have enhanced our business management practices immensely.”
The Staff Spotlight Series is sponsored by the Arnold School's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.