Onboarding Champions
The Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support aims to provide meaningful connections
to new employees in the division by having them meet with Onboarding Champions. Onboading
Champions are established employees who ensure new employees are connected to various
departments to learn about the division holisically.
Meet with an Onboarding Champion
Schedule a meeting with an onboarding champion today. During the meeting, you'll learn
about their departments mission, vision, and goals, as well as what units report to
the department, key takeaways for new employees to know about each unit, and how your
role might interact with the units.
Dean of Students Representatives:

Lindsey Bonk
Administrative Coordinator for the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "I love the people the most! Everyone is always willing to help whenever needed."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "Columbia is perfectly located for a quick trip to the beach or the mountains!"

Albert Gardner
Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life for Fraternity and Sorority Life
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "Shaping the student experience. Every day brings new opportunities to help students
thrive academically, personally, and as leaders within their organizations."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "The parks. Columbia offers a wide range of parks for every adventure – family friendly,
trails, scenic!"
Logan Ingram
Strategic Program Coordinator for University Housing
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "It’s my alma mater, which makes working here as a full-time staff member incredibly
meaningful. I get to carry forward the same pride and excitement I felt as a student
and share it with our new staff. Helping them experience campus traditions for the
first time—like seeing the Cocky statue—reminds me why this place is special. Watching
their own Gamecock pride grow over time is one of the most rewarding parts of my job."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "Columbia offers a completely different experience depending on where you go, and
everything feels amazingly close. Within ten minutes of the city, you can see a Sumatran
tiger at Riverbanks Zoo, take a peaceful walk through wooded trails, float down the
Congaree River, browse the shops at the mall, catch a concert at Colonial Life Arena,
visit one of the many wonderful churches around town, or even join a recreational
sport through an Everplay league. It’s a city with endless variety, all packed into
a surprisingly accessible area, and constantly growing in structure and improvements
for its residents."
Shared Services Representatives:

Lauren Brown
Director of Professional Development for the Division of Student Affairs and Academic
Support
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "The colleagues that I interact with on a daily basis truly want to make USC a great
place to work, which ultimately means a better experience for our students. I'm truly
proud to be a part of this community."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "Seeing the growth in the city of Columbia and its surrounding suburbs over the years
has been cool to witness. I've also loved getting involved with Everyplay Sports and
visiting the Soda City Market on Saturday mornings."

Delandous Haynes
Director of Marketing and Creating Services for the Division of Student Affairs and
Academic Support
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "Every day is different. The work is always changing, and I often think of it like
working in a newsroom, you never really know what you’re going to walk into each day.
I also love getting to work with so many different people and personalities, which
keeps things interesting and makes the job even more enjoyable."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "The food scene. I love trying new local restaurants and getting to know the spots
around town. One of the best things about the city is its location, you’re about two
hours from the beach and just a short drive from cities like Charleston, Greenville,
and Charlotte, which makes it really easy to plan fun day trips."
Sully Hutto
High Impact Student Employment Coordinator for the Division of Student Affairs and
Academic Support
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "Absolutely the people! Gamecocks—students, staff, alumni, and friends alike—are kind,
hospitable, driven, spirited, and community-oriented, and those values shine through
in everything happening on campus and make it feel like home!"
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "We are super conveniently located to so many fun day trips and Columbia has the perfect
balance of enough to do to stay busy and small enough that you see someone you know
everywhere you go!"
Student Health & Well-Being Representatives:
Nikki Prude
Associate Director of Alcohol and Other Drugs Education
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "I genuinely love working with students. They keep me young and hip and incredibly
humble by constantly reminding me that I am neither of those things. As a firm believer
in any and all education, my role interacting with students here at USC means the
learning process gets to flow both ways. I get as much from them as they hopefully
get from me, and it is amazing to watch them growth into our future leaders."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "It’s proximity to everything else. Being located in the middle of the state means you
are rarely more than 3 hours from a quick adventure or change of pace."
Student Life Representatives:
Ryan Gross
Associate Director for the Russell House
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "The spirit of collaboration runs deep through every division on campus. The way USC
staff comes together to support our students is truly an inspiration."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "Whatever you’re into, Columbia has it. Check out the international grocery stores
on Decker Boulevard or have a plate of ribs at City Limits. Head over to the Farmers
Market on Saturday or simply take your dog on a stroll through Riverfront Park."

Derenzo Thomas
Assistant Director for Community Engagement for the Leadership and Service Center
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "Developing programs for our student population in the Columbia area that foster community,
academic growth, and professional development."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "Watching Columbia continue to grow—especially with new eateries and fun activities
popping up around the city."
Student Success Representatives:

Jessica Gibson
Associate Director of Career Development for the Career Center
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "The impact we have on students’ development, the opportunities to see them learn and
grow, and the ways I continue to learn from students."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "The variety of restaurants and breweries, the river front, and having access to zoos,
museums, and events."

Sandy Greene
Associate Director for Peer Leadership and Partnerships for University 101 Programs
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "I love how collaborative and student-centered everyone is! It truly feels like we’re
one big team!"
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "It’s hard to pick one favorite thing! I love the riverwalk, the farmers market, the
festivals, and the food scene! Columbia also has some amazing state parks and national
parks nearby!"

Carrie Van Haren
Director of Assessment and Quality Improvement for the Student Success Department
Favorite Thing about Working at USC: "The meaningful relationships I’ve built over the years. From long-standing colleagues
to new, developing connections, I’ve always appreciated how willing people are to
support one another. There’s a shared commitment to making this a great place for
people to work and for students to learn, grow, and succeed. Being part of that community
is incredibly rewarding."
Favorite Thing about Columbia, SC: "The variety of communities within it. Many of us who work downtown but live in neighboring
towns feel connected not only to our colleagues, the USC campus, and the places around
the university, but also to the communities we call home. I live in a small town outside
the city, and I enjoy the balance of being a part of a vibrant downtown work community
during the day and a quieter, slower-pace home community in the evenings and on weekends.
Feeling at home in more than one place—and experiencing that same sense of community
wherever I am — is my favorite thing about Columbia."