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New Palmetto Pathway residential bridge program offers greaterhigher education accessibility to South Carolina studentsBeginning in the fall 2019Regional Palmetto Colleges,access to integrated student“That’s what I wanted most. Isemester, the University ofincluding USC Lancaster, USCsupport programs, includingwanted a college to want me, andSouth Carolina PalmettoSalkehatchie, USC Sumter andadvising, academic support, healthit made me feel more accepted.College has been able to offer aUSC Union. Students in theservices, disability services andI love the support system thatunique opportunity for more than initial cohort of the Palmettofinancial aid, that bolster theirhas already been given, I’ve50 first-year students to receive anPathway program are enrolledability to succeed in earning theirhad multiple emails going backaffordable and accessible education through USC Lancaster.bachelor’s degrees.and forth with Ms. [Danelle]with the academic support of a“Palmetto Pathways, for me,After eligible students haveFaulkenbury [Palmetto Pathwayresidential environment.feels very informative,” saidcompleted the year-long Palmettoprogram coordinator], who has“Palmetto Pathway is aJimiere Pyles, a freshman fromPathway cohort program, they willbeen amazing. I can’t wait to seeresidential connector programSimpsonville, S.C. “I feel like allbe able to officially transfer as firstwhat this program does for me.”designed to offer yet anotherof the people are here to help meyear students from USC LancasterLynda Byrd, a parent frompathway toto sophomorestudents whostatus at thedesire to completeUSC Columbiaa baccalaureatecampus.degree from theWhile theUniversity ofresidentialSouth Carolina,”connectorsaid USCprogram forPalmetto Collegeregional PalmettoChancellor SusanCollege campusElkins.students isPalmettorelatively new toCollege currentlythe Columbiaoffers paths tocampus, programsLinsey Betz, freshmanJimiere Pyles, freshmanLynda Byrd, parentthe baccalaureatecomparative todegree throughPalmetto Pathwayassociate degree granting programs with very good resources to helpDaniel Island, S.C., is pleased that already exist at other baccalaureatefrom USC Lancaster, USCme succeed in college. Maybe itdegree-granting Universityher son is part of the inauguralSalkehatchie, USC Sumter, USCwas a better step for me than going Palmetto Pathway program.of South Carolina systemUnion and Fort Jackson (USCstraight into school because of allinstitutions. Students enrolled“He had been accepted atPalmetto College Columbia);the resources they provide for me.” Alabama, and he wanted toin the Sand Shark Scholarsresidential connector programsFreshman Linsey Betz wasprogram live on campus at USCgo here. When he got into theat USC Columbia, USC Aikenactually accepted to a similarBeaufort’s Hilton Head Gatewayprogram, there was a huge senseand USC Beaufort; and onlinebridge program at a universityCampus while completing theirof relief. He did not want to bebachelor’s degree completionin Texas, but ultimately decidedthat far from home, he didn’t want first year of courses throughprograms through USC Columbia, that Palmetto Pathway and theUSC Salkehatchie, and Pacerto be at another school in SouthUSC Aiken, USC Beaufort andUniversity of South CarolinaPathway program students liveCarolina, he wanted to be at thisUSC Upstate.would be a better fit.on the USC Aiken campus whileschool,” said Byrd. “The fact thatThe 30-credit-hour Palmetto“I know that at first I wascompleting their first year ofthis program allowed him to bePathway residential program hasvery hesitant about it, I thoughtcourses through USC Union. Allon campus, to have the UofSCbeen offered to select students‘well I just got accepted into onethree Palmetto College residentialprofessors, to have the supportover two semesters who meetprogram, why would I transferconnector programs are modeledand the backing, that is a hugeall necessary criteria. Palmettoto the next if they’re almost theafter the Columbia campus-basedrelief as a parent that this is wherePathway students are housedsame program,’ but then myGamecock Gateway program,he wants to be. I think that inon the Columbia campus of themom talked to one of the advisor/established in 2012, for studentsand of itself will make him moreUniversity of South Carolina, take administrators that was givingenrolled at a local technicalsuccessful, because he is happy,courses on the Columbia campusmore details about it, and whatcollege.he’s where he wants to be.”from Palmetto College facultyI heard from my mom was thatStudents enrolled in theand be enrolled through the USC‘they want you.’,” said Betz.Palmetto Pathway program haveFall/Winter 2019USC Palmetto College Connections3

New staff hires to USC Palmetto CollegeUSC Palmetto College and the RegionalPalmetto College campuses aregrowing in enrollment, programsand their abilities to meet the needs of thecommunities in which they serve. With growthcomes change and a few new hires have joinedthe ranks of Palmetto College.Bridget Blackwell served as interim directorof financial aid prior to her permanentappointment as financial aid director in July2019. As the director of the Palmetto CollegeCentral Financial Aid Office, she managesthe overall administration of the financial aidprograms for the Regional Palmetto CollegeCampuses. She oversees the development andconsistent implementation of the federal, stateand institutional policy and procedures. Inaddition, Blackwell administers the planningand oversight of the reconciliation process forfederal and state programs.She earned a Master of Education degreeand a Bachelor of Science degree from theUniversity of South Carolina. She joined USCPalmetto College Financial Aid in 2007.Ron Cox Jr. was appointed dean of PalmettoCollege Columbia on July 1. In this role, heserves as the chief academic and administrativeofficer for Palmetto College Columbia,which includes Palmetto College locations inColumbia and Lexington.Cox has 19 years of administrativeexperience with the Regional PalmettoColleges, including USC Salkehatchie, wherehe served as director of the Walterboro campus,and USC Lancaster, where he served asassociate dean for academic and student affairsfor more than 15 years. In addition to that role,Dr. Cox has served Palmetto College, includingPalmetto College Online, Regional PalmettoColleges and Palmetto College Columbia,as associate dean for equity, diversity andinclusion.A UofSC alumnus, he earned a Ph.D. andmaster’s degree in history from the University.He also earned a bachelor’s degree in historyfrom Wofford College.Leah Staton Kososki joined PalmettoCollege on Nov. 1 as executive assistant tothe chancellor. In this role, she will serve asthe primary point-of-contact for all matterspertaining to the Chancellor. She also overseesspecial events and serves as a liaison to thePalmetto College Board of Visitors.Kososki comes to this role with muchexperience. She most recently served asexecutive assistant to the Secretary of theUniversity of South Carolina Board of Trustees,a role that she held since 2011. In that capacity,she also was responsible for coordinating andmanaging the relationship with the UofSCBoard of Visitors. She previously served asdeputy director of marketing for the S.C.Education Lottery. She is a University of SouthCarolina alumna, and a graduate of LeadershipColumbia.Joseph Mews was appointed assistant dean ofenrollment management for Palmetto Collegeon Sept. 16. In this role, he provides leadershipin enrollment management for PalmettoCollege and all related functional areas,including admissions, recruitment, financialaid, marketing, student success, studentretention, career services and enrollment dataanalytics. Mews’ oversight responsibilitiesinclude the regional Palmetto College campusesand Palmetto College Online.He comes to this new role with significantexperience in enrollment management serviceswithin higher education institutions andprivate industry. He most recently served asexecutive director of enrollment managementservices for USC Sumter. Mews previouslyserved as assistant vice president of enrollmentand student support center director at Saint4 USC Palmetto College ConnectionsLeo University, and in admissions and financialaid positions with the Career EducationCorporation and Vangent Inc.He earned a Ph.D. in leadership from theUniversity of the Cumberlands, a master’sdegree in educational leadership from theUniversity of Central Florida, a bachelor’sdegree in sports management from PeruState College and a graduate certificate inorganizational management from AmericanPublic University.Ralph Summer was appointed interim directorof finance of Palmetto College on Nov. 1;however, he is no stranger to Palmetto College.He previously worked in the universitybudget office, where he was responsible forworking with the regional Palmetto Collegecampuses on their budgets, among many otherresponsibilities.Brittney Vereen joined the Palmetto Collegeteam as the Director of Student Services forthe University of South Carolina PalmettoCollege program at Fort Jackson on Aug. 1.As the Director of Student Services, Vereenis responsible for directing the developmentand implementation of a comprehensiverecruitment, admissions and communicationstrategy for the Fort Jackson Office on-post.She began her UofSC career with the Officeof the University Bursar as a Fiscal TechnicianII in 2015 and has also worked for the Officeof the University Registrar. She earned her B.S.in Psychology from Francis Marion Universityin 2007, a master’s degree in human resourcesmanagement in 2016 and a graduate certificatein Higher Education in 2017. As a veteran,Vereen is proud to serve the brave men andwomen who have chosen to serve our country,as well as their families and Department ofDefense civilian employees.Fall/Winter 2019

Liberal Studies alumnus Adam Everett, ‘19Adam Everett, ‘19, has earned manyaccolades as an athlete, including a2005 National League pennant as ashortstop with the Houston Astros and a goldmedal as part of the U.S. National BaseballTeam at the 2000 Summer Olympics inSydney, Australia. More recently, he managedto switch careers thanks to the bachelor’s degreehe has completed online from the University ofSouth Carolina through Palmetto College.Everett was no stranger to UofSC. WhenAdam Everett was drafted by the Chicago Cubsin the fourth round out of high school, heopted to instead attend the University of SouthCarolina where he excelled as a student-athlete.Soon enough, he would receive more attentionfrom Major League Baseball scouts.He left the University of South Carolina in1998 when he was selected by the Boston RedSox in the first round of the Major LeagueBaseball draft and was traded to the HoustonAstros; however, he did not trade his dreamfor completing his bachelor’s degree from theUniversity of South Carolina.Everett’s big-league career lasted for elevenseasons (2001-2011). Adam manned theshortstop position for much of that period andis recognized as one of the top defensive playersin the Major Leagues, making just 85 errors in827 career games. He was a critical member ofthe National League Championship-winningAstros team in 2005, and in that season’sWorld Series. Between 2007 and 2011, Everettplayed for Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers andCleveland before retiring as a player. He alsoserved a

programs through USC Columbia, USC Aiken, USC Beaufort and USC Upstate. The 30-credit-hour Palmetto Pathway residential program has been offered to select students over two semesters who meet all necessary criteria. Palmetto Pathway students are housed on the Columbia campus of the University of Sou