Author Archives: Reese Michaelson

Register for the MIND Conference!

by Reese Michaelson

You’re invited to attend the 2025 MIND Conference from May 29–31!

The Conference: The MIND Conference brings together patients, families, researchers, health practitioners, and community leaders for an exciting journey into the future of brain and spine health. This year’s gathering includes some of our region’s most knowledgeable experts in neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, and so much more!

More Details: Across three days of interactive sessions, keynote talks, and networking opportunities, you’ll have conversations that translate cutting-edge research into real-world impact. As an attendee, you’ll be invited to tap into the expertise of this vibrant community and discover new ways to support neurological wellness. The conference will be held at the Francis Marion Hotel.

Benefits: Excellent networking opportunities and free food and refreshments for all student attendees!

To Register: Go to this registration link and select the “Trainee/Non-Faculty Admission” option ($25).

Click this link for more information. If you encounter technical issues with registration, reach out to MUSC’s Dr. M S Zobaer at zobaer@musc.edu.

Check Out the Fulbright US Student Program!

by Reese Michaelson

Are you starting to make plans for after graduation? Are you interested in traveling abroad? If so, check out the Fulbright US Student Program, which provides funding for students to attend graduate school, conduct research, complete an arts project, or teach English abroad. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will introduce you to different cultures and make you more competitive for the job market.

Additional Details: Fulbright grantees receive a stipend based on the cost of living in their host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to cover to room, board, and incidental costs during the grant period. Depending on the country, grantees may also receive round-trip airfare and other allowances.

Who Should Apply: Rising juniors, graduating seniors, and recent graduates.

Application Timeline: The internal CofC deadline for the 2026/27 award cycle of early September. The national deadline for applications is on October 7th. Semi-finalists will be notified in January 2026.

For more information, including specific programs and eligibility requirements, head to this link, schedule an appointment with Dr. Woram, or email nationalawards@cofc.edu.

Faculty Lecture Series: The Andes on the Silver Screen: War and Desire in Secret of the Incas

by Reese Michaelson

Join Honors Faculty Fellow Dr. José Chávarry for a discussion about film, war and the representation of indigeneity in Paramount’s 1954 Secret of the Incas, the first Hollywood picture made in Peru and the inspiration for the Indiana Jones franchise!

About the Lecture: By tracing the history of the film’s production and the collaboration between the company and Peruvian politicians and artists, and through a close reading of its WWII and Cold War cinematic languages (airplanes! bureaucracy! romance!), we will explore how Peru’s Incan legacy and Andean culture was made into an object of tourist desire and expression of modernity—and backwardness—during the geopolitical context of the mid-20th-century.

When & Where: This discussion will be held…

  • On Wednesday, April 16th, from 12:00–1:00 p.m.
  • In Addlestone Library, Room 227

Details: This lecture is free and open to all. Lunch will be provided.

Click this link for more information or to add this event to your calendar.

Volunteer for Mindful Move-Out!

by Reese Michaelson

Come volunteer for Mindful Move-Out from April 27th through May 2nd!

The Opportunity: The Center for Sustainable Development and its partners need all hands on deck to collect and sort the donations they receive during move-out. This is a great opportunity to help their campus work towards our Zero Waste Goal of 90% waste diverted from landfills by 2035 (and to get first dibs on free clothes, housewares, and more)!

Benefits: Working can be counted for volunteer hours! Plus, this is a great chance to connect with the Center for Sustainable Development, which will have more opportunities in the fall, including internship positions.

Great Chance For: Anyone looking to get involved on campus, anyone needing volunteer hours, and anyone wanting to get some free stuff!

To Volunteer: Use this link to sign up!

Email sustainability@cofc.edu and/or zerowaste@cofc.edu with any questions.

Join an AI Solutions Hackathon with IBM Granite

by Reese Michaelson

Enter IBM’s virtual Lean AI Solutions Hackathon and grow your skills, work in a team, and win prizes!

The Challenge: In this hackathon, you will use IBM Granite to build a proof-of-concept solution to align with one out of two possible themes:

  • Making work less boring, or
  • Decent work and economic growth

Details: This virtual hackathon will take place from April 24th through May 5th. You’re invited to network with peers and form a team in the time leading up to the event. Access to necessary tools, including watsonx services on IBM Cloud, will be provided. All experience levels are welcome.

To Enter: This link has registration instructions and advice on how to get ready for the hackathon. Detailed instructions will be given to participants once the hackathon begins.

Prizes: You could win up to $5,000, tickets to the IBM TechXchange Conference 2025 in Orlando, entrance into the 2025 Call for Code Global Challenge (where you could win up to $50,000!), Airpod Pros, and more!

Click here for more information about this hackathon.

Honors College Field Day Returns on Reading Day: Thursday, April 24th!

by Reese Michaelson

Honors College Field Day, our annual reading day competition event, is BACK!

What to Expect: Come out and compete at a series of fun and friendly games to de-stress before finals begin! There are events for everyone to excel at, including…

  • Feats of strength and athletics
  • Puzzles and brainteasers
  • Team-trials
  • …and so much more!

When & Where: These electrifying games will be…

  • On Thursday, April 24th, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
  • In Marion Square

Want to be a Champion? Click here to sign up for Field Day!

More Details: Not into field games? Not a problem! Come out for a study break and cheer on your class. If you’re competing, we’d love for you to stay for the whole time, but if you’re in a time crunch, feel free to pop by for a game or two.

Register for Breaking the Silence: Stories of Afghan Women

by Reese Michaelson

On Thursday, April 3rd, the Bonner Leader Program, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Development, will host an important and thoughtful discussion in which four Afghan women–all current students at U.S. universities–will share the challenges they and other Afghan women face in pursuit of education and other essential freedoms at home in Afghanistan, as well as in the United States.

When & Where: This event will be…

  • On Thursday, April 3rd, from 3:00–4:30 a.m.
  • In Addlestone Library, Room 227

Bonus: With professors’ approvals, participating students could earn extra credit for attending if their professors would like to offer it.

To Attend: Scan the QR code on the flyer or click this link to register.

Everyone’s Invited to Cougar Coffee on Monday, March 31st!

by Reese Michaelson

The College of Charleston is excited to invite the campus community to the inaugural Cougar Coffee—an event designed to encourage meaningful conversations, build connections, and step outside of comfort zones, all over a great cup of coffee (and food)!

The Event: This event is a product of many conversations amongst stakeholders here at the College, who are delighted to bring Cougar Coffee to all members of the College of Charleston campus community: faculty, staff, and students!

When & Where: This energizing event will be…

  • On Monday, March 31st, from 9:30–11:00 a.m.
  • In the Cistern Yard

Attending? There’s no registration necessary; just show up and enjoy!

Check the flyer for more information, or email Kendall Cage (cagek@cofc.edu) with any questions.