The University of South Carolina proudly celebrates the newest Pipeline for Academy Leadership (PAL) program graduates—a rigorous and high-impact leadership development experience designed for mid-level, high-potential faculty and staff who are prepared to step into executive roles in higher education.
Now entering its eleventh cohort, PAL continues to expand its reach and impact across the university. This year signifies considerable evolution in the program's design: for the first time, the cohort saw a mix of faculty and staff leaders, thus reiterating USC's commitment to enhancing collaboration, mutual respect, and a culture of inclusive leadership. Eligibility to participate is also now aligned with leader job levels so that the content and experiences will meet the needs of emerging senior leaders.
In collaboration with the Office of the Provost's Faculty Development, the Office of Human Resources' Office of Organizational and Professional Development offers this program as an all-embracing form of leadership development. Participants experience education at the executive level in aiming toward self-assessment and goal setting, defining key skills to lead their people and shape the institution's direction to navigate complex organizational challenges.
The program comprises a 360-degree assessment for feedback, coaching tailored to individual needs, and significant interaction with senior leaders at USC to enhance understanding of the university's academic and administrative systems. Through this journey, participants sharpen their ability to inspire others, drive change, and contribute to transforming their schools, divisions, and USC.
We congratulate this year’s PAL participants as they step forward to lead USC into the future, and we look forward to the lasting impact they will make across our university community.
| Name | Title | College/Division/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Christine Blake | Associate Professor | Arnold School of Public Health |
| Dana Talbert | Director, Student Success Center | Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support |
| Danielle McElwain | Assistant Dean for Research Enhancement and Operations | Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing |
| Edsel Pena | Professor | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Elizabeth Shirkey | Executive Director of IT Transformation | Division of Information Technology |
| Emily Manetta | Professor and Director, Linguistics Program | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Gerald McDermott | Professor and Department Chair | Darla Moore School of Business |
| Homayoun Valafar | Professor and Department Chair | Department of Computer Science and Engineering |
| Jeff Campbell | Department Chair | Department of Retailing |
| John Humphries | Budget Director | Department of Athletics |
| Joshua Garris | Director of Library Information Technology | Universitiy Libraries |
| Katherine Chappell | Interim Department Chair | College of Nursing |
| Lindsey Cox | Director of Compliance and Tax | Division of Administration and Finance |
| Lisa Hammond | Director of Faculty Affairs Professor of English |
Office of the Provost USC Lancaster |
| Mylene Culbreath | Vice Dean for Strategy and Engagement | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Nicole Zarrett | Professor and Department Chair | College of Arts and Sciences |
| Romana Keith | Law Registrar and Director of Academic Services | Joseph F. Rice School of Law |
| Ronni Wilkerson | Director of IT Services | Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing |
| Will Johnson | Senior Director of Development | Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing |