Skip to Content

Student Affairs and Academic Support

Professional Development Team

The Professional Development Program is coordinated by a team of employees from offices and departments across Student Affairs and Academic Support. Together, they are responsible for developing programs that meet the needs of staff at every career level and for producing events for audiences of 10 to 400.

PD Team members represent all units of the division and come from a variety of positions, knowledge areas and experiences. They typically serve two-year appointments.

Tad Derrick, Co-chair

Title: Associate Director of Harm Reduction and Compliance, Fraternity and Sorority Life
Email: derricjo@mailbox.sc.edu


Morgan Ruebusch, Co-chair

Title: Assistant Director for Gamecock Gateway, Student Success Center
Email: ruebusch@mailbox.sc.edu 


Kaite Dwyer

Title: Residence Life Coordinator for Women's Quad, University Housing
Email: kd58@mailbox.sc.edu


Michelle Otero-Rios

Title: Coordinator for Student Conduct and the Carolina Judicial Council, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Email: oterorim@mailbox.sc.edu


Emily Purdy, Student Personnel Association Representative

Title: Graduate Assistant for Supplemental Instruction, Student Success Center
Email: erpurdy@email.sc.edu


Jessie Townsend

Title:  Coordinator for Academic Integrity, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Email: jessiet@mailbox.sc.edu


Nigel Smith

Title: Manager for Graduate Student Advising, Career Center
Email: ns23@mailbox.sc.edu

Employees are eligible to serve on the PD Team if they:

  • are employed by the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
  • have served at least one year in their current role.

Successful members of the PD Team possess the following:

  • excellent organization skills
  • the ability to carry out multiple tasks at once
  • good communication and people skills
  • a creative approach to problem-solving
  • strong attention to detail
  • the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Members of the PD Team enjoy:

  • opportunities to develop and enhance skills
  • increased connection with campus resources
  • opportunities for professional growth and progress toward career goals
  • increased sense of belonging.

 

Apply for the Team

Applications to join the PD Team for the 2023-24 are open.


Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

©