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Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning

Our Staff

Lara Ducate

Charles Pierce, CIEL Faculty Executive Director

Dr. Charles Pierce leads the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning, including Graduation with Leadership Distinction. He works with faculty and staff in the development of integrative and experiential learning opportunities and coordinates efforts across Columbia and the Palmetto College Campuses (Lancaster, Salkahatchie, Sumter, and Union).

Lauren Epps

Lauren Epps, Associate Director

Lauren manages the Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) program, including advisement, programming, outreach, and events. She oversees assessment for GLD, which includes ePortfolio rubric training and support for UNIV 401 instructor, Faculty Fellows, and staff reviewers. Reach out to Lauren with questions about the GLD program and assessment, data and event requests, or for CIEL at the Columbia and Palmetto College campuses.

Sarah Gay

Sarah Matthews, Program Advisor and Marketing Coordinator

Sarah advises students pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction and guides students in developing ePortfolios. She oversees marketing efforts for CIEL initiatives and supervises a marketing intern. In addition, she oversees GLD alumni engagement. Reach out to Sarah if you’re interested in learning more about GLD, the ePortfolio process, getting involved as a GLD alumni, or have marketing inquiries!

Gina Spence

Gina Spence, Program Advisor and Data Coordinator

Gina advises students pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction and guides students in developing ePortfolios. She manages the GLD application system and the verification process, as well as oversees CIEL’s Student Advisory Council (SAC). Reach out to Gina if you’re interested in learning more about GLD, the ePortfolio process, or joining SAC!

julia ballou

Julia Ballou, Program Advisor and Outreach Coordinator

Julia advises students pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction and guides students in developing ePortfolios. In addition, she oversees CIEL’s outreach on campus and social media efforts, including supervising an undergraduate student marketing intern. Reach out to Julia if you are interested in learning more about GLD, the ePortfolio process, experiential learning, or getting involved in our outreach efforts!

uniqua jackson

Uniqua Jackson, Business Manager

Uniqua ensures that visitors, students and partners are welcomed into the center. She supports the staff with any updates for the center. She serves as the HR contact for the office. She manages reimbursements for the staff as well as the student grant for CIEL. She coordinates CIEL activities, technology efforts in OUcampus and 25Live. She manages the CIEL main office, phone, and website. 

uniqua jackson

Molly Kelleher, Student Grants Coordinator

As the student grants coordinator, Molly supports students pursuing experiential learning through management of the Carolina Engage Grant. She is there to support students from initial interest until they submit their reflection. Molly gathers the applications and presents them to the review committee and serves as the main point of contact between the committee and applicants. Reach out to Molly with any questions about the Carolina Engage Grant or eligibility requirements!

uniqua jackson

Emily Brennan, Grants Program Coordinator

Emily manages all aspects of experiential learning grant programs for the Quality Enhancement Plan, which encompass initiatives aimed at supporting faculty, staff, and students. She supports grant cohorts by organizing regular meetings, workshops, and collaborative events. Emily supports data management and reporting for CIEL pertaining to all grant programs.

matt childs

Matt Childs, CIEL Senior Faculty Associate

Matt is charged with coordinating, recruiting, training, and evaluating nearly 25 UNIV 401 Instructors who teach courses for students who are pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction.  He also helps oversee the “Faculty Fellows” Program which involves working with 8-10 Faculty members on experiential learning and advising students pursuing GLD.  Other duties include preparing the teaching schedule for 7 to 9 sections in the Fall and 16 to 20 sections in the Spring of UNIV 401 with the Registrar, reviewing all UNIV 401 syllabi, resolving disputes between instructors and students, directing workshops, and coordinating duties between CIEL Director Charlie Pierce, CIEL Associate Director Lauren Epps,  and GLD advisors and staff. 

addison

Addison Turanuer, Social & Digital Intern

Addison is a sophomore management and marketing double major. As the Social and Digital Media Intern in CIEL, she maintains and expands CIEL’s presence on social media, specifically Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. She also develops a monthly newsletter for students pursuing GLD.

sara pipe

Sara Pipa, Marketing Intern

Sara is a sophomore journalism major. As the Marketing Intern in CIEL, she develops a variety of marketing materials including flyers, invitations, programs, and digital displays for CIEL events and initiatives at USC Columbia and Palmetto College Campuses. She also creates CIEL’s annual impact report.

  


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