Contact Us

You can find us in person or online at:
Location:
Patterson Hall, Garden Level
1520 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29208

Facebook: Student Engagement at the University of South Carolina

Twitter: @OSE_USC

Meet the Staff

Kimberly Dressler, Coordinator
Kimberly has a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications and a M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Growing up in Fort Thomas, KY a suburb of Cincinnati, OH she didn't imagine that she would be living in South Carolina, but that is where she has spent the past ten plus years. Kimberly also teaches University 101 and serves on numerous campus committees that focus on increasing student success and retention. Kimberly has presented at many conferences on the topics of the first-year experience, living learning communities, sustainability in the co-curriculum, the sophomore-year experience, peer leadership and cross campus partnerships. In the office, Kimberly works with the sophomore initiative, coordination of peer leader programs, management of all domestic study away programs, office marketing and various other programs.
Contact Info: 803.777.2142kdressler@sc.edu

Jimmie Gahagan, Director
As the Director for Student Engagement at the University of South Carolina, Jimmie also teaches a University 101 class, designed to increase first-year student success. He has presented and published widely on topics that concern residential learning initiatives, the first-year experience, academic advising, leadership development, the sophomore year experience, spirituality, and student retention. In 2009, Jimmie received his Ph.D in Higher Education, from the University of South Carolina. He also has a M.A. in Student Affairs, and a B.A. in political science from the University of Richmond. Contact Info: 803.777.1445 gahagan@sc.edu

Stephanie Gross, AmeriCorps*VISTA
Stephanie is an Ohio Native, and will be working with the Office of Student Engagement as the AmeriCorps VISTA for Service-Learning. Stephanie just completed a year with AmeriCorps VISTA at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, OH. Prior to that, Stephanie also attended Heidelberg University and received her BA in International Studies. Stephanie is excited to work with both Student Affairs and the Honors College in promoting service-learning with USC students. Contact Info: 803.576.5712 sgross@mailbox.sc.edu

Derek Henrichs, Graduate Assistant
Derek is currently a graduate student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program and is driven to help students develop into their full potential, both inside and outside of the classroom. Originally from Illinois, Derek is a proud graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN where he received his BBA in Accounting. His work is primarily focused around promoting Service-Learning through courses, pedagogy, and resources to faculty, staff, students, and community partners of the university. Contact Info: 803.777.0081 henrichs@mailbox.sc.edu

Kasha Klinegores, Graduate Assistant
Kasha is a current first-year graduate student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at the University of South Carolina. From Lynchburg, Virginia, she received a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Elementary Education from Roanoke College in Salem, VA in 2009. She began working in higher education in the fall of 2010 as an Admissions Counselor for Roanoke College, recruiting students from the mid-atlantic area. She primarily works with domestic study away programs, including the National Student Exchange, faculty lead domestic trips and other domestic travel opportunities. Contact Info: 803.777.6731 klinegor@mailbox.sc.edu

Chika Kusakawa, Graduate Assistant
Chika is a first-year Higher Education and Student Affairs program at USC. She is from Princeton, New Jersey but has earned her B.A. in Biology and a minor in Psychology from Elon University, NC. She has served for the last two years with AmeriCorps VISTA at Campus Compact and an NCCC Pacific Team Leader. She is most excited about helping students discover and develop skills through experiential learning! In the Office of Student Engagement she works primarily with Sophomore Initiatives, and the SC Healthy Families Service Scholars program. Contact Info: 803.777.0081 kusakawa@mailbox.sc.edu

Jake Owens, Undergraduate Marketing and Design Assistant
A senior Visual Communications major from the great state of Georgia, Jake joined the OSE team in May 2011 as a marketing and design assistant. He is responsible for creating all design work for the office and assisting with the execution of various marketing plans. Jake will graduate in May 2012 and hopes to find a job in the graphic design field. Contact Info: 803.777.0081 owensje@email.sc.edu

Dottie Weigel, Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Service-Learning
Prior to her work with the Office of Student Engagement, Dottie served on the publications team at the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. She has presented at several national conferences and published on topics such as student development theory and transition in the first year of college. Dottie holds a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of South Carolina and earned a bachelor's degree in English from King College and master's degree in student development from Appalachian State University. Contact Info: 803.777.6336 weigel@mailbox.sc.edu

Samantha Young, Graduate Assistant
Samantha is a native of Dublin, GA and a proud graduate of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA with a B.S in History and a minor in political science. As a graduate assistant she is most excited about assisting students find purposeful engagement opportunities while also managing their academics! Samantha works on faculty and student interaction initiatives, peer leadership, the Student Engagement plan and also as an ACE Coach. Contact Info: 803.777.0081 Youngsd3@mailbox.sc.edu