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David Banush stands in the Thomas Cooper Library with desks and study cubbies in the background

New leader for University Libraries navigating digital transformation »

David Banush took the helm as dean of University of South Carolina Libraries in November. His continuous pursuit of knowledge gives him the expertise to reenergize, reframe and rethink the purpose of libraries.

  • Banush intends to create new spaces and provide greater connectivity for students, bringing more attention to the expanding services Libraries offers the campus community.

What he's saying: “You have to understand the role of technology and the power of technology and how it's going to shape our work.”

Learn more about David Banush.

head and shoulders image of elizabeth chambliss

Professor unveils first statewide access to justice report »

Elizabeth Chambliss set a goal to improve South Carolina’s civil justice system after the state in 2016 ranked last in the nation for access to civil legal assistance. But first, she needed data and personal accounts to fully illustrate how underserved communities in South Carolina were affected by their poor access to legal services for civil cases, which relate to topics like housing and family law.

  • With funding from organizations including the S.C. Bar and the S.C. Access Commission, Chambliss and other partners conducted research and compiled the state’s first civil legal needs assessment, which she hopes will be used to strengthen legal service partnerships in South Carolina.

What she’s saying: “We wanted to start a conversation — and bring together the many conversations that were already happening — about how to improve access to civil legal assistance in South Carolina. The goal now is to identify priorities and build coalitions for implementing positive change,” Elizabeth Chambliss, Henry Harman Edens Professor of Law and director of the School of Law's Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism.

Read more about Elizabeth Chambliss' work to improve access to civil legal assistance.

a stethoscope with a clock on the bell

Management science team improves post-surgical processes for kidney transplant patients »

Business professor Luv Sharma is clearly not a medical doctor, but his experience and expertise were the perfect combination for creating an intervention for kidney transplant patients at a major U.S. hospital.

  • The key goals of the project were to create a self-­improving and sustainable process that would improve outcomes for the patients.
  • Before their intervention began, Sharma’s team looked at kidney transplants over a four-year period (2001-05) and found that almost a third of transplant recipients returned to the hospital because of post-surgical complications.

Why it matters: The kidney is the most transplanted organ in the U.S. with more than 20,000 transplants each year, according to the National Kidney Foundation. It’s also the organ with the longest transplant waiting list of more than 100,000 potential recipients.

Learn more about Luv Sharma's work to improve outcomes for kidney transplant patients.

Julian R. Williams named American Council on Education Fellow »

Julian R. Williams, vice president for for diversity, equity and inclusion, has been named an American Council on Education Fellow for the 2023-24 academic year.

  • Williams is one of 36 fellows selected after nomination by the senior administration of the fellows' institutions and a rigorous application process.

What they're saying: “The ACE Fellowship will serve to build Julian’s knowledge, skills and abilities as an up-and-coming leader. I am confident that he will make an exceptional ACE Fellow and that the enhancement of his leadership skills will benefit the University of South Carolina.” — USC President Michael Amiridis

Read more about Julian Williams.

graphic with a trophy and the words: Do you know a remarkable Gamecock 2023 alumni awards nominate today

IN THE NEWS


“South Carolina is the only state without a woman on its supreme court. Here’s why that matters.” (feat. Katelyn Stauffer, political science)
The 19th
 
“The story begins for a bookstore in Columbia’s Five Points. Here’s when it officially opens” (feat. Clinton Wallace, law)
The State
 
“Ohio derailment puts focus on railroad insurance, risk management” (feat. Robert Hartwig, finance)
Business Insurance
 
“DHEC prepares for new rules by EPA when it comes to ‘forever chemicals’” (feat. Susan Richardson, chemistry and biochemistry)
WLTX
 
“Beauty & Wellness Briefing: Why it’s worth paying attention to the Bath & Body Works proxy battle” (feat. Austin Starkweather, finance)
Glossy
 
“The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers announces results of its small business impact survey” (feat. Joseph Von Nessen, economics)
Charleston Regional Business Journal

FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES


Russell Pate, Marsha Dowda, Kerry McIver, exercise science, Dwayne Porter, environmental health sciences, Ruth Saunders, health promotion, education, and behavior, authored “A Summary of One Research Team's Contributions to Understanding Physical Activity Behavior in Children and Youth” in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
 
Ben Roth, social work, presented “Blurring Boundaries: School Social Workers, Transformational Discourse, and Equity for Immigrant Students” at the 2023 Society for Social Work Research Annual Meeting, Phoenix.
 
Henry Tran, Rose Ylimaki, education, and others published “How Do Distributed and Transformational Leadership Teams Improve Working Conditions and Student Learning in Underperforming High-Needs Schools?” in the European Journal of Psychology and Educational Research.

Guoan Wang, electrical engineering, authored “Enabling electrically tunable radio frequency components with advanced microfabrication and thin film techniques” in the Journal of Central South University.
 
Janet Everly, Jamie Plummer, Jean Neils-Strunjas, communication sciences and disorders, and Matthew Lohman, epidemiology and biostatistics, published "A Tutorial for Speech-Language Pathologists: Physical Activity and Social Engagement to Prevent or Slow Cognitive Decline in Older Adults” in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.
a couple kiss at their wedding

Viral homebodies and DIY enthusiasts thrive through difficult times »

Chance and Mackenzie Edwards packed a lot of life into a short time period: They got married, went on a honeymoon; he got laid off and they started a business — all during a pandemic. But for the College of Information and Communications graduates, the struggles led to something they’re now thankful for.

  • The couple's social-media-based business homebodyHQ started in their backyard when they couldn't find a venue for their wedding.
  • They decided to turn their lawn into their dream venue and post their progress on TikTok. Their story went viral.

What they're saying: "It was a small side hustle that just kind of kept growing and growing," says Mackenzie Edwards, 2015 broadcast journalism. “We realized we could make a business out of it. Now we're to the point where we can call it our full-time job.”

Learn more about alumni Chance and Mackenzie Edwards.

About USC Today

USC Today is a newsletter sent to faculty, staff and friends of the University of South Carolina. Send questions, faculty and staff news or story ideas to usctoday@sc.edu. Submit your public events to the university's online calendar.

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