Pitch your business idea and win cash prizes at the SC Innovates Pitch Competition

by plasmatinc

Calling all South Carolina college students! Compete for thousands in cash prizes 5th Annual SC Innovates Pitch Competition.

How it Works: Students from across SC pitch a promising business idea or social enterprise. 15 semi-finalists from across the state advance to an in-person finale where $10,000 in cash prizes will be doled out.

Great fit for: Everyone! Great ideas aren’t limited by your major. You can enter as an individual or as part of a team with up to four members.

How to Apply: 5-slide pitch deck + 90-second video by Friday, October 4.

Free Tickets to the Ballet at the Gaillard Center with the Honors Signature Series

by plasmatinc

Join the Honors College for an internationally renowned ballet performance along with an exclusive pre-concert talk with the performance’s conductor and concertmaster.

The Honors College Signature Series presents:
Carmina Burana by the Richmond Ballet
Friday, October 18
Charleston Gaillard Center

  • 6:00 p.m. – Pre-concert talk with the show’s conductor and concertmaster
  • 7:30 p.m. – Ballet performance

The Performance: Set to Carl Orff’s masterful choral score, John Butler’s Carmina Burana is among Richmond Ballet’s most popular works. In partnership with the Charleston Symphony and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus, this monumental performance will bring to life one of the most groundbreaking ballets of the 20th century.

  • We’ll also meet as a group with conductor Erin Freeman and concertmaster Yuriy Bekker before the show for an exclusive discussion about their creative process.

[All free tickets have been claimed. Student tickets for the performance are available from the Gaillard Center for $20.]

Spring 2025 Honors Course With a Spring Break Trip to Costa Rica!

by Reese Michaelson

How do we make sense of who we are? What do we want from the close relationships in our lives? These are the questions explored in HONS225-01: Constructive Selves and Building Relationships, an Honors colloquium course offered in Spring 2025 that includes a Spring Break trip to Costa Rica!

The Course: This course explores the intersection of culture and interpersonal relationships to understand how this interplay constructs our individual and relational identities. We will examine taken-for-granted assumptions about the study of relationships and relationship forms as well as important theories and trends through the use of arts-based research and creative case studies.

The Trip: Embark on an enriching journey in Costa Rica, designed to offer a unique blend of cross-cultural exploration and hands-on learning experiences. This immersive experience provides students with the opportunity to delve into the heart of Costa Rican culture.

Trip Details: Activities will include visiting a small, sustainable chocolate farm, walking in the rainforest, hiking to waterfalls, rafting down rivers, snorkeling, and ziplining. You must enroll in this course or COMM 336, an express I non-Honors course, to attend. The trip stretches from February 28th to March 9th, 2025.

To Apply: Use this link to apply for the trip. Act fast, the deadline is October 15th!

If you have any questions about the course or spring break trip, contact Professor Jenna Abetz at abetzjs@cofc.edu.

S’more Fun Fridays Are Back This Friday, September 20th!

by Reese Michaelson

Join the Honors Student Association for tasty fireside treats and fun-filled activities!

What kind of fun? Every third Friday of the month throughout the year, HSA is hosting an afternoon get-together filled with gooey goodies and casual activities.

When: This upcoming S’more Fun Friday will be from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Honors Center on Friday, September 20th!

Benefits:

  • Connect with other Honors students
  • Enjoy scrumptious snacks
  • Kick-start your weekend
  • Engage in fun-filled games like Jenga with your peers

No RSVP necessary, just join us upstairs in the Honors Center. Non-Honors students are welcome!

FoodShare Moncks Corner: Public Health AmeriCorps Opportunity

by Reese Michaelson

FoodShare in Monck’s Corner through Trident United Way has an opportunity for students or recent graduates to expand food and nutrition services available in the Tri-County Area.

The Opportunity: The PHA Service Member, under the supervision of Trident United Way’s FoodShare Berkeley program, will provide assistance and support to the FoodShare Berkeley Hub to expand food and nutrition security strategies to community members in underserved areas across the county. The Service Member will primarily focus on the distribution and promotion of the Fresh Food Box in the community.

Benefits: Benefits for Service Members include a stipend/living allowance, real-world experience in the public health field, tailored mentorship/coaching, opportunities to network with the PHA community, and eligibility for a Segal Education Award upon completion of service. Service may be used to fulfill practicum or applied experience requirements.

To Apply: Fill out the NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps Application and select SC-II for the service opportunity you are applying for.

For more information click this link or send an email to Madison James at mjames@tuw.org.

You’re Invited to Attend or Volunteer at the Motivate HER Entrepreneurship Conference!

by Reese Michaelson

You’re invited to attend or volunteer at the Increasing Hope’s Women’s Business Center Motivate HER conference, an exciting event designed to inspire and empower entrepreneurs in the Lowcountry. The action-packed day will include inspiring speakers, informative workshops, and great networking opportunities!

Details: The Motivate HER conference will be held on Saturday, September 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lowcountry Conference Center. Sessions will include:

  • The Mindset of Successful Entrepreneurs
  • Small Business Accounting: Mastering Your Financials
  • Dreams to Reality: Launching Your Own Business
  • and many more! See the full event schedule here

To Attend: Register for the event here!

To Volunteer: Sign up with this link by Wednesday, September 18th. As a bonus, you’ll get to attend the conference for free! For questions about this opportunity, contact ihopewbc@increasinghope.org.

Go here for more information about the event and the Increasing Hope’s Women’s Business Center.

European Union Study Abroad

by Reese Michaelson

Interested in travelling abroad over spring break and becoming an expert on the European Union? INTL 390: European Union Studies is being offered next semester with the opportunity to travel to Brussels (and other European spots)!

The Course: Develop a deep understanding and become an expert on the European Union, one of the most interesting political, social and economic endeavors of our time, and one of the largest trading partners of the United States and South Carolina. You will travel to the heart of the European Union, Brussels, Belgium, and visit the headquarters of its executive and legislative institutions, meet with staff members and try to have high level meetings with officials of these or related institutions, take a one day trip to the magical medieval city of Bruges, home of the College of Europe, and another day trip to The Hague (Netherlands), home of the Peace Palace and the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

Details:

  • Scholarships of $500 available through Center for International Education at this link.
  • Course does not impact tuition rate if enrolled full-time in (12-16 credits)
  • Scholarships of $1000 available through LCWA—apply for Samuel Freeman Trust Scholarship at this link.

To Apply: Click this link to find the application.

For more information, click the application link, see the attached flyer, or email Program Director Aimee Arias at ariasak@cofc.edu.

The SC Washington Semester Program is accepting applications for Spring 2025

by plasmatinc

The Washington Semester Program (WSP) offers South Carolina college students the opportunity to spend a semester working and taking classes in Washington D.C., gaining valuable experience while earning academic credit toward their degrees.

The opportunity: Live/Learn/Work. Students live in a historic Capital Hill neighborhood, explore the city through group excursions, all while taking 15 credit hours.

  • 9 credit hours are applied towards a full-time internship in congressional, executive, judicial or private sector offices, which can be applied towards your Honors Immersed requirement.

Great fit for: Many CofC Honors students have participated and thrived in this program over the years, with backgrounds ranging from political science to economics to international studies to public health. Participants get firsthand experience with the political process, obtaining skills that will help prepare them for careers in virtually any sphere.

Scholarships available: The program allocates support for students who demonstrate financial need and awards over $10,000 each year in scholarships.

  • Learn more: the Program will offer multiple virtual info sessions over the coming weeks. Sign up here.

How to apply: Personal statement + resume + transcript + LOR by Sunday, September 22, followed by virtual interviews for finalists the following Sunday.