The Division of Languages, Literature, and Composition (LLC) at USC Upstate is home to over 100 majors and minors in American Sign Language Interpreting, English, Creative Writing, Film, Spanish, French, German Studies, Global Studies, Spanish Translation and Interpreting, and the Global Competence Certificate. Together we speak over a dozen languages, have traveled to five continents, and share…
Alumni Spotlight: Christine Scott
By Katlyn Aleman Dominguez (English ’24) Many people see a world languages and cultures degree as a ticket to study abroad, but the reality is that world language degrees are relevant to a range of careers locally in the US. Christine Scott‘s experience as a Spanish major at USC Upstate has influenced her career and…
Alumni Spotlight: La’Porsha Smalls Attorney and Entertainment Industry Executive
By Taylor Arana (English ’24) La’Porscha Smalls (English & Honors ’15) stands as a testament to the power of determination, intellect, and passion. As a graduate of USC Upstate, she has carved an extraordinary path for herself not only as an accomplished attorney, but also as the CEO of her own entertainment company, L.Tonise Presents…
Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Buzzard Ascends
By Josh Lanier (English) Ashley Buzzard (English ’08) understands that education is a powerful weapon that can be used to change the world. As a professional in the field of higher education, she has made a career out of helping her students realize their full potential. Buzzard earned her bachelor’s degree in English at USC…
Alumni Spotlight: Kylin Hunter, Empowering a Community Through Writing
By Josh Lanier (English Major) Kylin Hunter (English ’16, cum laude) is a true artist—he pours every ounce of heart and soul into his creative pursuits. He is also a man who utilizes his talents to help others in his community realize their full potential. Hunter graduated from USC Upstate with a major in English and…
Alumni Spotlight: Patrick Mack, Braille Instructor at the SC Commission for the Blind
By Catherine Gordon (English *24) The famous novelist Alice Walker once wrote, “Activism is my rent for living on the planet.” If anyone in our region perfectly embodies these words, it is USC Upstate alumni Patrick Mack (English ’21). Mack majored in English literature, with a focus in disability studies, and minored in education. Currently…
Alumni Spotlight: Erika Pertell’s True Callings
By Kellie Addie (English ’24) Erika Pertell (English ‘13) uses her degree in English, Literature, and Creative Writing to inspire a passion for reading in the minds of children at the High Point Academy of Spartanburg. While she did not always want to teach, she has found her true calling in teaching. Being inspired by…
Alumni Spotlight: Sheryl Mann Drawn to Literature
By Autumn Fort (English ’24) Sheryl Mann (English ’12) has always been drawn to literature. At USC Upstate, Mann earned a major in English and a cognate in philosophy. Her passion for literature and the humanities has been central to her academic career, and it helped her achieve her current position as the Branch Manager…
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Thomas McConnell, Award-winning Author and English Professor at USC Upstate for 23 Years
By Lauren Reitz Dr. Thomas McConnell talks upbringing, The Wooden King, and advice for aspiring writers For Dr. Thomas McConnell, growing up in the South meant growing up with a reverence for the past—thanks, in part to living near his grandparents who had lived through the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and WWII. “The sense…
Alumni Spotlight: Mason Turner Admitted to the South Carolina Bar
Mason Shelby Turner (English ’17) is a recent graduate of Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law and one of the newest members of the South Carolina Bar. She serves an Associate Attorney at Nimmons & Malchow, P.C., in Augusta, Georgia. Turner joins fellow English alums, Spencer Woodstock (English ’14), LaPorscha Smalls (English ’15),…
Alumni Spotlight: Lindsay Harris, Business Advisor at Zillow
University of South Carolina-Upstate Alumni, Lindsay Harris began her work at Zillow in July of 2021. More than a year into the Coronavirus pandemic, this was a career change that Harris described as a “no-brainer”. Since Harris’s time at Upstate, she has utilized her degree in English in various ways. The first job where Harris…