Leadership Exchange

Leadership Exchange 2012

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet with inspiring student leaders from USC Aiken, Converse College and Suffolk University in Boston through a wonderful initiative provided on the campuses for student leaders to participate in a leadership exchange. The event was held on Saturday, March 31! It was rejuvenating to meet with passionate community leaders of tomorrow who want to make a difference!


The purpose of the exchange program is for the universities to spend a semester examining a social issue (this year it is K-12 public education) and then provide an opportunity for the students to visit each other’s campuses to examine the issue in their part of the country. The core purpose is to help student leaders understand how they can make a difference not only on their campuses, but in the communities in which they live.

USC Aiken students visited Boston and had the opportunity to meet with a variety of people involved with the Boston Public School System as well as visit two different high schools. In South Carolina, the students visited two local elementary schools, spoke with a variety of education leaders in the community, and conducted a community service project at Aiken Elementary.  I had a chance to be a part of the closing session with the student leaders for their South Carolina visit.  

It was an honor to be invited by Ahmed Samaha, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Life at USCA, to share about my experiences with South Carolina public schools. I was fortunate to be a part of the student leadership programs at USC Aiken through my undergraduate experiences, so I was thrilled to come back and be a part of the exchange. I had the opportunity to share my passion for education, explore triumphs and challenges we face as a state and nation, and share some positive news about South Carolina public education.

Did you know...

• Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report ranks South Carolina number 1 in the nation for Teacher Quality. The state has ranked 1st in the nation since 2008!

• Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report gives South Carolina an A in Standards, Assessments and Accountability, ranking the state 6th in the nation!

• South Carolina news headlines in 2011 revealed that last year’s graduating seniors earned $960 million in college scholarships. (SC Department of Education)

• South Carolina saw a decline in the high school dropout rate. This past year 800 fewer students dropped out of state high schools!

Collectively, we can continue to move education forward in South Carolina and make a difference in the lives of students and our communities by investing in public education! I want to thank Ahmed for inviting me to participate and for the opportunities he provides for each of us to grow and learn about leadership!