photo of Jill Smiley
Exercise science major and swim team member Jill Smiley has made the most out of her time as an undergrad at USC. Now she's on to physical therapy school to work with athletes in a new way. ow.ly/SCKA50XKeK7 #ForeverToThee25
Hats off to the newest members of the USC Alumni family. 🎓 #ForeverToThee25
Students for a short time, Gamecocks for a lifetime. ❤️
Here's a health to the graduating Gamecocks from the class of 2025. 🎓 #ForeverToThee25
Join us live on Facebook for December Commencement at 2 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/uofsc
Students come here from all over the world with a fuel for doing more for themselves and others, and it inspires me to be a better student, community member and human. Christina Bhola
After finding USC's environment to be a welcoming one, Christina Bhola decided to stay at the Arnold School to pursue an M.S. in Epidemiology. She's made lifelong friends, learned valuable life skills, and broadened her community. 🎓 ow.ly/Oo8Q50XJze1 #ForeverToThee25
photo of Ciara Matthews
“I want to specifically say to those of you who are working full time and are on the fence about getting your master’s in public health, go ahead and apply for the program of your choice, especially if it is offered online,” Matthews says. “It will not be easy, and you will have to make some sacrifices, but you can do it! As long as you stay organized, ask for help when you need it, dedicate time for your classes and your work, you can accomplish it, and it will be so worth it.”
Our 100% online program paved way for full-time lab technician Ciara Matthews to complete her epidemiology degree. Learn why the December grad believes that flexibility is so important. 🎓 ow.ly/v99z50XIo3w #ForeverToThee25
photo of Victoria Adebiyi
What influences a mother’s breastfeeding decision while returning to work? Doctoral graduate Victoria Adebiyi investigates ➡️ ow.ly/8Kqm50XHpST #ForeverToThee25 @uofscalumni.bsky.social @uscresearch.bsky.social
photo of Arlis Dawsey
My experience at USC has been filled with friendship, mentorship and hard work where I have grown and created lifelong memories. I have been fortunate to develop such strong relationships with advisors, professors and other students that have guided me to where I am today. Arlis Dawsey
Capstone Scholar Arlis Dawsey completes his public health this month with a 4.0 and Graduation with Leadership Distinction. Learn how he plans to use his Arnold School degree to serve the underserved. 🎓 ow.ly/FxhL50XGgJl #ForeverToThee25 @uofscalumni.bsky.social
photo of Keren Herrán
The supportive environment and camaraderie, both from faculty and among doctoral students within the HPEB program, have been critical as I explore next steps in my career. Within the program, we celebrate each other’s accomplishments and milestones as if they are our own and we share interview advice and job leads with one another. Keren Herrán
Keren Herrán graduates this month, and she's ready to change the world. 🌍 The global health researcher gained a breadth and depth of international research experience during her Ph.D. program. ow.ly/ehOT50XFEAX
#ForeverToThee25 @uofscalumni.bsky.social
Michael Paslawski
“Learn how to study and manage your time. The main thing obtaining my bachelor's here taught me was to do those very things, and I hope that they will help me succeed in the future.” —Michael Paslawski, B.S. in Exercise Science and current physical therapy student ow.ly/tZc450X09sE
#ForeverToThee25
photo of Trystan Ruiz and family
August graduate Trystan Ruiz shares how Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty, staff, and students helped him balance school and family throughout his program. 🎓 #ForeverToThee25 ow.ly/NPPA50WRayl
photo of Makenzie Anderson
Physical therapy graduate Makenzie Anderson shares passion for her profession and love of living in the Soda City ➡️ ow.ly/B0qT50WNxZ6 @uofscalumni.bsky.social
#ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud
photo of Molly O'Malley
When I decided to make a career change, I was looking for something that was personally interesting to me and that allowed me to make a meaningful difference for others, while maintaining enough flexibility to move frequently as a military spouse. Speech-language pathology fit all of my requirements! Molly O'Malley, M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
When Molly O'Malley and her military spouse started a family, she knew it was time to make a pivot from her 12 years as a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot. Speech-language pathology offered the perfect fit. ow.ly/Sanw50WLihZ #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud @uofscalumni.bsky.social
Meet August grad Samantha Feeney! The M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program's Auditory Verbal Therapy special interest track boosted her knowledge in this area and helped her secure a Clinical Fellowship. 🎓 🎉https://ow.ly/QzIi50WExy2 #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud @uofscalumni.bsky.social
photo of Alejandra Medina-Reyes
"Try to shadow with as many different settings as possible and be open-minded. You never know when you may fall in love with a different setting you never expected." Alejandra Medina-Reyes Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2025
Alejandra Medina-Reyes discovered new areas of interest during her Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Now the August graduate will begin a Geriatrics Physical Therapy Residency. 🎓 🎉 ow.ly/jWt650WAFtJ #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud @uofscalumni.bsky.social
photo of Nabeeha Baig
As a first-generation college student, Nabeeha Baig came into USC unsure of how to navigate the complexities of higher education, but USC gave her the support, opportunities, and community to be successful. ow.ly/1nyA50W8AKx #ForeverToThee25
photo of Will Owings
The entire HSPM faculty is exceptional and cannot be replicated at any other program around the state. These educators share a common mission, and that is to give their students the tools they need to succeed professionally. Will Owings Master of Health Administration, 2025
Will Owings graduated in May with a 4.0 GPA and multiple awards. The MHA alumnus begins his administrative fellowship with Lexington Medical Center this month and is committed to improving health in SC. 🎓 🎉 ow.ly/izrj50W5r5g
#ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud
We know you've been waiting! Our photographers have made the 2025 Hooding photos available for download 🎓📸
ow.ly/biWb50VXsvP #ForeverToThee25
photo of Adrienne Parkinson
“Being part of the Arnold School has not only strengthened my public health knowledge and skills but also helped me find a sense of purpose and belonging. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited to continue using what I’ve learned to improve health outcomes within communities.” Adrienne Parkinson MPH in Epidemiology, 2025
Adrienne Parkinson, a graduate of the MPH in Epidemiology program, will use her passion for improving community health by joining the Center for Applied Research and Evaluation. ow.ly/Qtvp50VWh2o #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud 🎓 @starryeyes24.bsky.social
photo of Julie Warren
photo of Hannah Parker
Congratulations to the best of the best graduate students! Julie Warren (M.S. in Advanced Athletic Training) has received the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Award, and Hannah Parker (Ph.D. in Exercise Science) has won the Doctoral Achievement Award 🎖️🎓 ow.ly/i3Zg50VVATn #ArnoldSchoolProud #ForeverToThee25
photo of Zach Drechsler
"I became interested in public health because I think it’s imperative to ensure the public has the information necessary to protect their health and overall wellbeing." Zach Drechsler MPH in Epidemiology, 2025
With Zach Drechsler's full-time position as a laboratory researcher his priority, USC's 100 percent Online Master of Public Health in Epidemiology program offered the perfect path to pursuing a graduate degree in the field. 🎓 ow.ly/VP1Q50VU1mt #ForeverToThee25 @sc.edu
photo of Prince Addo
"USC has provided me with the academic resources, mentorship, and community connections to grow as a public health researcher and practitioner. It has truly become a place where I’ve been able to thrive both personally and professionally." Prince Addo Ph.D. in Epidemiology, 2025
After winning the Outstanding Epidemiology Doctoral Student Award, Prince Addo plans to continue engaging in innovative epidemiologic research focused on modifiable risk factors for disease prevention and control. ow.ly/5esx50VTbfs #ArnoldSchoolProud #ForeverToThee25 🎓
My experience at the University of South Carolina has been incredibly vibrant and transformative. USC has truly been a place of growth, learning and community for me." Rajat das Gupta Ph.D. in Epidemiology graduate
After graduating with the Arnold School's 2024 Doctoral Achievement Award, Rajat das Gupta will begin a postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to continue his research in molecular and genetic epidemiology in cancer. ow.ly/URqI50VRIFE 🎓#ArnoldSchoolProud #ForeverToThee25
Our #Flickr gallery is filling up with moments that matter -hooding and cording, grad 📷, PhD hooding and commencement memories. We’re still adding more so keep checking back! Got photos to share? Send them our way and help us celebrate!✨ bit.ly/3HWrTV8 #ForeverToThee25 #COSW25
Congratulations to #COSW Drs. Leon Negreiros, Stafford McRell and Tindall. ✨ #ForeverToThee25 #SocialWorkPhD
photo of Hailey Karns
Getting involved with any of the countless on-campus organizations related to the field of exercise science or public health is critical in applying and solidifying newly learned information to beyond the classroom experiences. Hailey Karns, B.S. in Exercise Science graduate
Outstanding Exercise Science Student Award winner Hailey Karns found her home away from home in the Honors College & completes her tenure at USC this month with Graduation with Leadership Distinction & a 4.0 GPA 🎓https://ow.ly/u4bj50VPYIA #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud @uofscalumni.bsky.social
photo of Fahmida Akter
"Public health is a broad and dynamic field, and having clarity about your interests, whether it's maternal and child health, environmental health, epidemiology, or something else, can help you make the most of your experience." Fahmida Akter, Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, 2025
Fahmida Akter graduates this week with a Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior and her priorities are clear: a lifelong connection to USC & a commitment to improving health in low-resource settings. 🎓🎉https://ow.ly/qGOy50VOv6C #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud
photo of Zohra Alikhail
Public health teaches individuals about cultural competency, empathy, discrimination, oppression, issues within each system, and more. It is very holistic, and I know I will use all of the lessons I learned to be the best doctor I can. Zohra Alikhail, B.S. in Public Health graduate
The B.S. path for her public health program helped prep Zohra Alikhail for applying to medical school, and she loved learning about global health, accessibility, policy, health care systems, and population health. 🎓🎉https://ow.ly/6Acc50VNGOM #ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud
photo of Celine Benedico
USC’s dedication to allowing their students to have hands-on practice has allowed me to develop the skills needed to become an effective clinician and make a difference in the lives of children and adults with communication challenges. Celine Benedico, M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology student
After graduating with a master's in speech-language pathology in August, Celine Benedico plans to work with pediatric populations, including bilingual children. ow.ly/h9sm50VLigl
#ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud #IAmPublicHealth
photo of TC Chiba
I believe our ability to bridge gaps in health care and positively impact patients’ lives has universal value and with continued growth, athletic training can lead the way in patient-centered care worldwide. Taisei Chiba, M.S. in Athletic Training graduate
Through his educational and clinical experiences, Taisei Chiba has adopted a holistic approach to patient care – which he will begin applying after graduating in May when he will rejoin the Miami Dolphins as an athletic trainer. ow.ly/ers650VKuaM 🎓🎉
#ForeverToThee25 #ArnoldSchoolProud
