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College of Education

2026 News

Comparing the Working Conditions of Principals and Assistant Principals in South Carolina

SC Teacher examines challenges that both principals and assistant principals in South Carolina face, as well as the resources they have available in this latest report

Honors College course for parents, Supporting Our Students, has been over thirty years in the making

In the early 1990s, Jan Phillips Smoak had an idea. As a master's student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program in the College of Education, she began envisioning an eight-week course, taught on Thursdays from 6 – 8 p.m. in room 303 of the Business Administration building.

2026 Alumni Awards

Each year, the University of South Carolina celebrates exemplary alumni. Bestowed by the Alumni Association, the awards reflect the values that define the Gamecock community: service, integrity, character and leadership. Among these awardees is Scott Moïse (’74 Education, Secondary English; ’89 law).

CarolinaCAP highlighted as a top five finalist by the National Rural Education Association

CarolinaCAP is one of five finalists in the Rural Innovation and Impact Showcase, a new program from the National Rural Education Association, that celebrates bold ideas emerging from rural communities across the United States.

Honors senior thesis, revisited

We checked in with South Carolina Honors College alumni from across the world to ask: What was your thesis? How relevant is it to your life and career? And if you were to write one now, what would you explore?

Special Education student's passion finds a home in College of Education

In high school, Annabel Orchard volunteered in inclusive classrooms. "I love working with the kids," says Orchard. "It's rewarding to watch them grow and see myself growing alongside them as I learn to communicate and understand."

Findings from the 2026 SC Teacher Exit Survey

Now in its 6th year, the annual survey administered by SC TEACHER gathers perspectives from educators leaving public PK-12 classroom positions.

The College of Education received funding from the National Science Foundation for four grants ahead of this academic year

The University of South Carolina College of Education is pleased to announce a total of more than $4M in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year. Four projects were funded across disciplines in the College of Education, setting a college record for NSF awards being awarded within a few days of each other.

Public school teachers explore America’s founding principles in USC program

University of South Carolina program helps South Carolina social studies teachers deepen their knowledge of American history, civics and the nation's founding principles.

Former Gamecock Tackles New York City Marathon

Former Gamecock quarterback Jay Ulrich (2017-20) is trading the football field for the streets of New York this fall to run the NYC Marathon. After receiving his M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs, he is expanding opportunities for athletes with his organization, Banner Player Development and giving back along the way.

AWAKE STEM Cohort Three highlights

AWAKE STEM, a grant funded by the National Science Foundation, provides education in project-based learning to middle level educators and school counselors in rural communities throughout South Carolina, continues to make a meaningful difference among educators across the state.

SC TEACHER shares top insights in 2025-26 educator workforce trends

SC TEACHER examines the top 10 issues that the South Carolina education workforce faces in their annual report.

Education professor expands exercise access through AI

Through her work as research director of the Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments and in partnership with the State University of New York at Brockport and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Ali Brian, associate dean for research in the College of Education and professor in the department of educational and developmental science, works with youth and adolescents with visual impairments to make fitness and health literacy concepts accessible.

Power in play and purpose in family inclusion

USC College of Education faculty members Jessie Guest and Nicole Silverio trained 17 school counselors in Aiken County Public Schools in play therapy and family relational skills through a Duke Endowment-funded partnership.

SC TEACHER holds 2026 Insights Symposium

On June 8-9, SC TEACHER hosted its annual Insights Symposium, centered on this year's theme of "Integrating Data to Strengthen Policy + Practice." Educational leaders from across the state gathered to explore emerging data on South Carolina's educator workforce and working conditions.

A Beautiful Life: Making it Count in the Dominican Republic

Lively chatter of students spending the morning whale watching fill the air as their boat launches into the Atlantic Ocean toward Samaná Bay. Emily Ryan listens as her students ask their guide, a renowned marine biologist, some final questions to conclude their unit on marine biology. For Ryan, who graduated from the University of South Carolina College of Education, watching her students immersed in the beauty of nature while learning science from an expert in the field is a reminder of what she set out to do when she first enrolled at USC.

American Institutes for Research and the U.S. National Science Foundation Launch a New Center Supporting STEM Education Research and Practice

The American Institutes for Research has launched the Center for STEM Education Research and Translation, a national resource designed to support the development and use of research funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation among PreK-12 STEM education communities. Led by AIR, the Center also partners with the Southern Regional Education Board and the University of South Carolina.

Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Coaching Teacher Award of Excellence

The Coaching Teacher Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who excel in their leadership of future educators. They serve as a guide and mentor while exemplifying the characteristics and qualities of exceptional educators.

Faculty and students played a pivotal role in hosting this year's NCTEAR conference

More than 170 attendees met in the Pastides Alumni Center for the annual National Council of Teachers of English Assembly for Research (NCTEAR) conference. The theme, "we are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond," was inspired by the work of Pulizter Prize for Poetry winner, Gwendolyn Brooks.

College of Education alumni recognized by South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education

Two recent alumni of the College of Education were recognized by the South Carolina Association of Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) for outstanding contributions to the classroom.

Once banned from school, education graduate reflects on completing her Ph.D.

This spring, doctoral graduate Zo Sediqi will walk across the stage to receive her diploma from the University of South Carolina’s College of Education. Sediqi is one of only a handful of Afghan women anywhere in the world to earn a Ph.D. — a distinction that has taken on new weight since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power and imposed an education ban.

New major offers perfect blend

For Bailey Berquist, choosing the University of South Carolina was easy -- it was love at first sight on her campus visit. After attending a smaller high school in Maryland, she knew she wanted a place where she could make a larger impact. When the College of Education launched the new major in Applied Sport Psychology and Counseling, a different path emerged.

The South Carolina Teacher Workforce Profile for 2024-25

The South Carolina Teacher Workforce Profile examines critical information about teachers in the workforce each year.

Autism Acceptance Month: College of Education faculty contributing to improving autism services in South Carolina

In conjunction with Autism Acceptance Month, the College of Education is highlighting several initiatives that are expanding and improving autism services in South Carolina with faculty-led contributions.

2026 US News Rankings

Our rank among Best Education Schools has jumped more than 60 spots over the past three years, landing at No. 17 among public institutions.

Meet the 2026 Champions of Education

The College of Education holds an annual "Champions of Education" gala to recognize our outstanding alumni and other supporters of education throughout our state.

Is teasing playful or harmful? It depends on a number of factors

Molly Dawes, associate professor in the Department of Educational and Developmental Science at USC, writes for The Conversation about the complexities of teasing.

2026 Anne Frank Awards Gala

The Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina celebrated its second gala, the Anne Frank Awards at the South Carolina State Museum on Monday, February 9, 2026. The event honors those who have advanced the legacy of Anne Frank and exemplified courage, compassion and commitment as well as expanding Holocaust education.

USC creates leadership pipeline for school administrators

SC TEACHER, a research consortium housed in the USC College of Education, recently found a positive association between educators receiving appropriate administrative support and teacher retention.

Research confirms bilingual children benefit from language support at home

An estimated 22 percent of the U.S. population speak a language other than English in the home. About 7.5 percent of SC residents speak a language other than English at home. It is critical that educators collaborate with parents in supporting their bilingual children's literacy development.

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