Cody Markow
he/him/his
Overall Director
Pillars Engage and Pillars Serves
Sophomore
Major: International Business and Marketing
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Get a head start on making Carolina home.
When you participate in Pillars for Carolina, you'll enjoy an unforgettable week of leadership and traditions while making lifelong friends. Registration opens in the spring and remains open until the program has reached full capacity.
Students who participate in the Pillars for Carolina program, which was founded in 2011, start their first year feeling more confident about life in the classroom, with a greater knowledge of campus and gain new friendships with student mentors, faculty and staff members.
Registration Open Now!
Registration for 2022 Pillars for Carolina is open now! The registration cost for Pillars for Carolina is $300 and will cover all lodging, meals, activities, and programs during the week. If you are eligible for a need-based scholarship, please do not register at this time - instead, complete a scholarship application, linked on the right side of this page. A limited number of full and partial scholarships will be awarded on a financial-need basis.
Pillars Engage (July 19-22, 2022)
A four-day program where participants will learn about campus, the ins-and-outs of Columbia, and themselves. Learn about yourself, your values, and finding your place at Carolina. Key events of this program include leadership development activities, an Amazing Race, learning traditions of Carolina, and meeting new friends.
Pillars Serves (July 26-29, 2022)
A four-day program where participants will learn about the campus and local community through the lens of service. Learn about yourself, your values, and finding your place at Carolina. Key events of this program include leadership development activities, values exploration, meeting new friends, and service in the Columbia community.
Pillars Capstone Scholars (July 26-30, 2022)
A five-day experience which provides a unique opportunity for incoming Capstone Scholars to get extra support as they transition into the Carolina community. We embrace the Capstone Scholars Program's commitment to experiential learning and use it to help students develop self-awareness, enhance relationships, and set goals in preparation for the fall semester.
Through Pillars Capstone Scholars, you will also have the opportunity to: spend three nights living in a residence hall, explore campus, volunteer with a local nonprofit, familiarize yourself with Columbia, and make new friends. This is a blend of activities from the Pillars Serves and Pillars Engage weeks.
To participate in this Pillars option, you must be a Capstone Scholar. Admissions sends notifications to students about the Capstone Scholars community in March. If you're unsure about whether you are a Capstone Scholar, reach out to capstonescholars@sc.edu.
Participant Learning Outcomes
- Participants will develop a connection to the campus and community at Carolina
- Participants will build meaningful relationships with first-year students and student mentors
- Participants will reflect on personal values and identity
- Participants will identify campus resources and opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
- UofSC New Student Orientation and Pillars for Carolina are separate programs. While New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students, Pillars is an extra way to meet fellow Gamecocks and spend time on campus before move-in day.
- No, Pillars is offered to all incoming first-year Gamecocks, as well as incoming transfer students.
- Yes.
- All food and sleeping accommodations during the 4 days of the program. Participants will also receive a t-shirt and a drawstring backpack.
**Registration fees go towards all space rentals and activities for participants during the program**
- Pillars Engage
-
- Check-In is between 2-4pm
- Pillars Serves / Capstone Scholars
-
- Check-In is between 2-4pm
- Participants will be staying in a residence hall on UofSC’s campus.
- Please list all dietary restrictions in your registration form, and we will accommodate as necessary.
- Clothes for 4 days of activities in and around campus
- Be mindful of the South Carolina summer heat. The average temperature in Columbia in July is 95 degrees.
- Comfortable shoes to walk around in
- Reusable water bottle
- Hat / Sunscreen / Sunglasses - protective sun wear
- Portable Chargers for your phones
- Hygiene products
- Medications
- Bedding for a twin XL size mattress
Including sheets and a pillow - Spending money
- Students will have the opportunity to shop around some off-campus locations
- Students will have the opportunity to shop around some off-campus locations
After registration, you will receive an email with a full packing list.
- Yes, the link to apply for scholarships is located on our website.
- Additional involvement after participating in the Pillars for Carolina program can be counted towards enhancement activities in graduating with Leadership Distinction
Our Staff
Katie Slick
she/her/hers
Overall Director
Pillars Engage and Pillars Capstone Scholars
Junior
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Lexington, SC
Caroline Porter
she/her/hers
Director of Staff Development
Pillars Engage and Pillars Serves
Sophomore
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Jackson Torbet
he/him/his
Director of Staff Development
Pillars Engage and Pillars Capstone Scholars
Junior
Major: Mathematics
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Emily Prillaman
she/her/hers
Director of Operations and Curriculum
Pillars Engage and Pillars Serves
Sophomore
Major: English, Secondary Education
Hometown: Glenview, IL
Reece Collier
she/her/hers
Director of Operations and Curriculum
Pillars Engage and Pillars Capstone Scholars
Sophomore
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Pleasant, SC
L.E. Shirkey
she/her/hers
Director of Outreach and Marketing
Pillars Engage and Pillars Serves
Sophomore
Major: Political Science and Psychology
Hometown: Montville, NJ
Leeanna Wong
she/her/hers
Director of Outreach and Marketing
Pillars Engage and Pillars Capstone Scholars
Sophomore
Major: Business and Marketing
Hometown: Florence, SC
Staff Advisors
Joshua Cauble
Pillars for Carolina Advisor
Associate Director of Leadership and Student Organizations
Leadership and Service Center
caublej@sc.edu
803-777-2811
Jackson Snavley
Pillars for Carolina Summer Intern
Leadership and Service Center
jsnavely@sc.edu
Jessie McNevin
Pillars for Carolina Capstone Scholars Advisor
Lead Assistant Principal
Capstone Scholars Program
jmcnevin@mailbox.sc.edu
803-777-2076