Learn more about Lara Ducate, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Dr. Ducate teaches Honors classes at the intersection of sustainability and German culture. These were topics I was interested in before taking her classes, but she challenges her students to apply class material to their day-to-day lives. This approach has had a significant impact on my academic, professional and personal goals. She leads service-learning classes, where we actively engage in local activism and sustainability projects that help reinforce this application-based learning environment. She makes sure to connect students with local professionals, which has led me to secure an internship with an environmental nonprofit. It was through taking her classes that I found a passion for energy policy, and I was inspired to become more active in the Columbia community.

On top of being a fantastic professor, I think what really makes Dr. Ducate an outstanding faculty member is her ability to foster community in the classroom. Through engaging service-learning projects, discussion-based learning and interactive activities, I have walked away from every class with new friends. From weeding in the Rosewood Orchard to completing activities at the Columbia Museum of Art, Dr. Ducate makes every classroom feel like home – whether in Columbia or Germany. This care for community building exemplifies the philosophy of the Honors College, and I believe Dr. Ducate is a truly outstanding faculty member in this regard."

Learn more about Melissa Ellermann, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Dr. Melissa Ellermann has been one of the most influential SCHC faculty members during my time at USC. I began working in her lab in spring 2024, where she mentored me to become a more skilled, independent and knowledgeable researcher and biology student.

In spring 2025, I enrolled in her Honors Advanced Microbiology course, where she fostered an engaging learning environment. She led thoughtful discussions, integrated course material with real-world healthcare applications, and organized hands-on activities that allowed us to analyze real data from her lab, offering meaningful insight into the research process. This course has been one of my favorites in the SCHC and continues to shape the research I conduct in her lab.

Throughout my time in her lab, she has supported my applications to summer research programs, multiple grants and conferences – all while mentoring me through an independent research project and the successful completion of my Honors thesis. This reflects her commitment to students and their academic excellence. Dr. Ellermann has taken the time to understand my goals and tailor her mentorship to support my academic and professional development. Dr. Ellermann is an exceptional mentor who genuinely cares about her students' growth and success."

Learn more about Ashley Kalinski, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "I had the pleasure of taking Dr. Kalinski's BIOL 620 class, Immunobiology. Being a graduate-level course, this class covered advanced content that was not always easy to grasp at first. Dr. Kalinski's dedication and passion for the material made the class extremely enjoyable and engaging. She facilitated meaningful discussions that encouraged us to think critically and apply complex concepts rather than simply memorize them.

Dr. Kalinski consistently created an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and exploring challenging ideas. She was always approachable and willing to provide additional guidance, ensuring that every student had the opportunity to succeed. Her enthusiasm for immunology was evident in every lecture and inspired a deeper interest in the subject among her students.

Overall, Dr. Kalinski exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator. Her commitment to student learning, combined with her ability to make difficult material accessible and engaging, makes her highly deserving of the SCHC Faculty Award nomination."

Learn more about Olesya Kisselev, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Dr. Olesya Kisselev is a wonderful professor and thoughtful friend. I took Honors Russian Foodways with her, and she directed my senior thesis. Our weekly meetings were 80% business and 20% discussions of Russian, English, art and music. After I mentioned liking the work of an artist she has in her office, she gifted me a calendar of his pieces. She is incredibly intelligent and a fantastic researcher. Dr. Kisselev also makes students feel at home with tea, cookies and friendship. She trusts her protégés and gives them the ability to explore the breadth of the topics that interest them.

In Russian Foodways, she elucidates the under-researched intersections between food, history and politics in a way that makes me want to study, cook and eat at the same time. She is clear-eyed but willing to allow for grey areas and open-ended interpretation of complex issues. Her lectures are challenging and fun, and she makes learning personal by sharing books, recommendations and sourdough starters with her students.

Lastly, she gives excellent constructive criticism on papers and is an accomplished chef, sharing her skills with students in class and at dinner parties."

Learn more about Seulghee Lee, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Professor Lee was the first person who came to mind when I read the email asking me to nominate an Honors professor. He showed me the importance of humanities in a way that, unbeknownst to him, reshaped my path in college.

As a freshman Honors student taking my first non-mandatory course, I was excited to step into a classroom that felt alive, energized by both the material and his presence. His passion for the subject was evident in the way he led each class, but what stayed with me the most was how intentionally he created space for student participation. He didn't just teach the material; he invited us into it, encouraging us to engage, question and care. That passion became contagious, and over time, it was passed on to all of his students.

If it were not for the appreciation of the arts that Professor Lee instilled in me, I would not have pursued a humanities-oriented path, nor would I be the student I am today. His impact extends far beyond a single classroom; it is something I carry with me in how I learn and think every day."

Learn more about Kirk Randazzo, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Professor Randazzo has consistently been able to help his students build a strong foundation regarding the field of law. He is well-versed and continues to help us all have a well-rounded view of the field of law. Randazzo goes out of his way to ensure we all fully understand concepts and is passionate about the topics he teaches."

Learn more about Carla Swygert, M.A.

What students are saying – "Professor Swygert's Honors Spanish for Healthcare Professionals course has been one of my favorite classes in the SCHC. She is an enthusiastic, passionate, personable and knowledgeable instructor who makes every class engaging and enjoyable. Through thoughtful discussions, she fosters meaningful conversations among students and creates a strong sense of community in the classroom. It is also clear how much care and intention she puts into designing the course. Beyond teaching, she incorporates impactful readings, such as The Latino Patient, and provides experiential learning opportunities, including shadowing medical interpreters at healthcare facilities around Columbia, S.C. These experiences prepare students to become culturally competent healthcare professionals.

Beyond her teaching, Professor Swygert brings a compassionate and understanding approach to the classroom. She creates an environment where students feel comfortable being themselves and making mistakes, recognizing that these are essential to learning. At the same time, she maintains high expectations, equipping students with the tools they need to succeed and challenging us to continually develop our language skills."

Learn more about Scott Taylor Jr., Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Dr. Scott Taylor Jr. should be awarded the SCHC Outstanding Faculty Award because he embodies everything that a professor should be. I was first introduced to Dr. Taylor in 2024 in Intro to Beverage Management, and while I did not speak much in that class, I knew that he would be there to support me. I called upon that support one year later when I asked him to be my thesis director. From our first meeting, he told me he would do everything to support my thesis goals. He encouraged me to enroll in the accelerated master's program and to get my master's degree at USC. He helped me develop a passion for research that I did not know I had, and most importantly, he pushed me to show the world my research at conferences.

Outside of my work with him, he supports the Honors community by teaching courses designed to get students thinking critically about unconventional subjects (beer, BBQ and coffee). His work extends to the greater community with his passion project, Feed the Flock. What started as a simple food repackaging project has since developed into 10,000 meals served to end Gamecock food insecurity."

Learn more about Paula Vasquez, Ph.D.

What students are saying – "Dr. Paula Vasquez is a real gem in the Mathematics department and truly deserves the SCHC Outstanding Faculty Award. Having taken three classes with her, I've noticed the large number of repeat students – a clear sign of how much students like her. She genuinely cares, trying to learn everyone's name, major and future career. She teaches in such a down-to-earth way and has a warm personality that makes math feel accessible to everyone.

Beyond the classroom, her mentorship has been extremely transformative. I began doing research with her in my first semester without any experience. She helped me start from the beginning and patiently guided me through the entire process, making sure it never felt intimidating. She is always willing to Zoom or email to answer my questions. Thanks to her support over my four years at USC, I have learned an incredible amount. I am honored to now have her as my thesis director, where her continuous support has alleviated all my worries.

Dr. Vasquez is a master at challenging students to help them realize they are capable of much more than they think, which, in my opinion, is what makes her such a special teacher."