Admissions Team
Every student at ÌÇÐÄVlog gets a dedicated admissions counselor, someone who knows your name, your goals, and your story. From your very first question through your first day of class, your counselor is your personal guide. Not sure who yours is? Find them below, or reach out to us directly at admissions@columbiasc.edu or 803.786.3871.
First-Year Students
Your counselor is assigned by region. If you're not sure who yours is, email admissions@columbiasc.edu or call 803.786.3871, and we'll connect you.
- Upstate SC, North Carolina & East Coast — Taylor McNair
- Midlands SC, Florida & West Coast — Cardezia Douglas
- Lowcountry SC, Georgia & Central States — Brittney Cassidy
All Other Students
Find your counselor by program type below:
- Transfer Students — Carter McElveen
- Online Undergraduate, Certificates & SC Create — Meda Gause
- Graduate Students & APEC — Emkae Davis
- Visits & Events — Yashica Scott
- Parents & Families — Contact your student's assigned counselor, or reach out to Kadarius Seegars or anyone on the team. We're happy to help.
Meet Your Admissions Team
Kadarius Seegars
Assistant Vice President of Admissions & Enrollment Marketing
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm from Camden, South Carolina. I earned my undergraduate degree in Theatre and my M.Ed. from Francis Marion University, and I'm currently pursuing my Ed.D. in Leadership. I'm a creative at heart and someone who's always believed that the best work happens when people feel seen.
I'm a big believer that when you take care of people, everything else falls into place. That belief has shaped every step of my journey in higher education, and it's what fuels the work I do every day at ÌÇÐÄVlog. This place is special, a 52-acre campus in the heart of South Carolina's capital where professors know your name, your counselor knows your story, and the community genuinely rallies around every student who walks through our doors. My role is to make sure every student who considers ÌÇÐÄVlog feels that from the very first conversation.
I lead our admissions team with energy, empathy, and a little bit of sunshine. Whether we're designing an event that brings the whole campus alive, walking a family through their financial aid options, or sitting with a nervous student who isn't sure they're ready, our goal is always the same: to help people move from uncertainty to confidence. ÌÇÐÄVlog is the kind of place where that transformation happens every single day, and I'm proud to be part of the team that opens the door to it.
What do you love about working at ÌÇÐÄVlog?
This is a place that truly sees its students, not just for who they are right now, but for who they're becoming. I've worked in higher education long enough to know that's rare. At ÌÇÐÄVlog, every conversation, every decision, every event is built around helping students succeed. I get to lead a team that believes that just as deeply as I do, in a city that's growing just as fast as our students are. There's nowhere else I'd rather do this work.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Visit. That's it. Walk the campus, talk to a counselor, sit in the spaces where you'd be learning and living. The right school isn't the one with the biggest name, it's the one where people know yours. Pay attention to how you feel when you're here. At ÌÇÐÄVlog, students tell us they knew within their first visit. I believe them, because I see it happen every single day.
Admissions Focus
Online Undergraduate
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm from Columbia, SC, grew up right here and went to ÌÇÐÄVlog. I came in undecided and landed on Communication Studies because I wanted a versatile degree I could take in multiple directions. That turned out to be the right call. I loved my experience as a student so much that I came back to make sure other people get the same opportunity.
I work with online undergraduate students, certificate students, and SC Create students, and what I love most is building personal relationships that last long after graduation. I get to see students grow from their very first conversation with me all the way to the finish line at commencement, and that never gets old. When I'm not at work, I'm reading, spending time with family and friends, or at a football or basketball game. My coffee order comes from 7 Brew, and if I'm eating out, it's San Jose Mexican Restaurant.
What’s your favorite thing about the ÌÇÐÄVlog campus?
The fountain in front of Breed Leadership Center. There's a tradition here, when a student gets engaged, their friends take them to the fountain and throw them in. It's one of those moments that only happens at a place where people actually know each other well enough to celebrate together. That's ÌÇÐÄVlog.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Be open-minded and take advantage of every opportunity available to you. College has more to offer than just classes, and the students who say yes to things are the ones who get the most out of it.
What's the key to success at ÌÇÐÄVlog?
Show up, stay open, and don't be afraid to ask for help. The professors here will go out of their way for you, but you have to meet them halfway. Take advantage of every resource, say yes to things outside your comfort zone, and build relationships with the people around you. The students who thrive here are the ones who lean in.
Carter McElveen, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Admissions | Transfer Students
Admissions Focus
InternationalTransfer
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm from Lugoff, SC, right down the road from ÌÇÐÄVlog. I studied Psychology at Winthrop University and earned my master's in Higher Education from Liberty University. I chose higher education because I wanted to understand what students actually need during the transition from high school to college, and make sure I was ready to help. When I interviewed at ÌÇÐÄVlog, I knew immediately. The team was so genuine, and I could tell they truly cared about each other. That's rare, and I wanted to be part of it.
My favorite part of this work is meeting students on their first campus visit and then watching everything come full circle, seeing them get excited about starting college after you've been part of their journey is the most special thing. When I'm not at work, I'm teaching dance, playing guitar, or spending time with my family. And if you're looking for a restaurant recommendation, Publico is the answer. My husband and I eat there all the time.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Schedule a visit. Go on that tour, ask every question you need to ask. That time is meant for you to figure out where you feel comfortable and find the place that feels like home. And if you're not sure what you want to study yet, I changed my major four times, so trust me, you'll figure it out.
What do you love about working at ÌÇÐÄVlog?
Meeting students on their first campus visit and then watching everything come full circle. It's special to see someone get excited about starting college — especially when you've been part of their journey from the very beginning.
Admissions Focus
Graduate
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm a Columbia, SC native, grew up in 29203, went to ÌÇÐÄVlog, and came back to help the next generation of students find what I found here. I graduated with a degree in Computer Information Science and a Creative Writing minor, which sounds like an odd combination until you know me. I'm someone who's constantly pulled between logic and art, I built a website from scratch for my senior project and wrote the first draft of a novella in the same semester. As a first-gen graduate, I chose the path I thought would serve me best, but ÌÇÐÄVlog gave me the space to be all of it.
Now I work with graduate students and adult learners, and what drives me is simple: I want every person I talk to, whether they choose us or not, to walk away feeling warm and confident about the decision they're making for their future. Even better when it's us. Outside of work, I produce and record music, illustrate with watercolors and graphite, volunteer with the local queer community, and founded the Queer Game Night at Harriet Hancock Center. I don't believe in being boxed into one lane, and I tell my students the same thing.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Your degree is a compass, not a map. You can always pivot fields, but what pays off even more are the human connections, faculty, staff, peers. At ÌÇÐÄVlog, if you skip class, your professors notice. They'll say "I hope so-and-so is feeling alright today." Network from day one, build the soft skills, and use the time to figure yourself out too.
What do you love about working at ÌÇÐÄVlog?
I came here as a student because of the small campus, the honors program, the sense of community, and honestly, the color purple. I came back as a staff member because of my sense of service and a genuine love for this place. ÌÇÐÄVlog saw me before I fully saw myself, and I want that for every student who walks through our doors.
Admissions Focus
Undergraduates
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm from Myrtle Beach, SC. I earned my bachelor's from Coastal Carolina University in Theatre and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations, and my master's from the University of South Carolina. I've always loved working with people and finding creative ways to tell stories, I wasn't sure exactly what direction that would take, but I knew I wanted a career that let me be outgoing, collaborative, and people-focused. Turns out, admissions is exactly that.
What drew me to ÌÇÐÄVlog was the sense of community. This is a place that truly welcomes everyone, and I wanted to be part of students' journeys as they figure out what they love and who they want to become. When I'm not at work, I'm baking, spending time with family and friends, or exploring Columbia. Riverbanks Zoo is my favorite spot in the city, I get excited every single time I go. And when I need something slower, you'll find me in a local coffee shop with a good drink and a snack.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
It's completely okay not to have everything figured out right away. College is a place to explore, make mistakes, learn about yourself, and grow. You're not supposed to have all the answers on day one, that's the whole point.
What do you love about working at ÌÇÐÄVlog?
Getting to know every student's personality, their story, their goals, and helping them figure out their next steps. I thrive when I'm working with people, and there's nothing better than watching a student go from unsure to excited about their future.
Admissions Focus
Undergraduates
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm from Blackstock, South Carolina, small-town roots with a big heart for students. I earned my bachelor's from Coastal Carolina University in Early Childhood Education and started my career as a kindergarten teacher. I've always been drawn to those formative moments when someone is figuring out who they are, which is exactly why higher education felt like the right move. I completed my master's at ÌÇÐÄVlog, and the close-knit, family-oriented community brought me right back. It felt like home, and I wanted to be part of it again.
My favorite part of this work is supporting students during one of the most transformative seasons of their lives, building real relationships, helping them navigate the hard parts, and celebrating every win along the way. When I'm not at work, I'm shopping, spending time with my dog Sophie, planning events, or heading to Soda City Market on Saturday mornings. And if you ever need a restaurant recommendation, Gather COLA is the move.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
It's completely normal to be nervous, that just means you care. Take it one step at a time and remember you don't have to figure it all out alone. Get involved, ask questions, introduce yourself, and give yourself permission to grow. College isn't about being perfect, it's about becoming.
What do you love about working at ÌÇÐÄVlog?
Accepted Students Day. Watching future students and their families walk onto campus, feeling the excitement, and seeing the moment it clicks, when they realize they've found their place. The energy, the pride, the sense of belonging. It's unforgettable every single time.
Admissions Focus
Undergraduates
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
I'm from Abbeville, SC and studied Educational Studies at Winthrop University. I knew I wanted to be in the world of education, I just wasn't sure exactly where yet. Turns out, helping students find their academic home is exactly where I was supposed to be. What brought me to ÌÇÐÄVlog was the close-knit campus community. You feel it the second you step on campus, and it's real.
When I'm not at work, I'm either playing with Padme the cat or Bear the dog, reading, or gaming. And if you're looking for something to do near campus, Segra Park is right down the road, we've got a minor league baseball team in town, and when the weather is nice, the vibes are unmatched.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
It's okay to not know what you want to do. Around 80% of college students change their major at some point, so if you're undecided, you're actually in the majority. Give yourself room to explore. That's what college is for.
What’s your favorite thing about the ÌÇÐÄVlog campus?
The rich traditions, especially the Christmas Tree Lighting. The whole campus comes together right before break, Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and a speaker playing all the classics. It's the kind of moment that makes this place feel like family.
ÌÇÐÄVlog Me
Where is your favorite spot to eat in Columbia?
My favorite place to eat in Columbia is my Mother's house!
What advice do you have for prospective students?
BE BOLD, BE STRONG, BE COURAGEOUS and with perseverance, dedication and time your obstacle will not HOLD YOU DOWN OR BACK!!
What do you do in your spare time?
In my free time I love spending time with my family and friends creating lifetime memories together.
Not Sure Where to Start? Start Here.
Tell us a little about yourself, and we'll send you the information that matters most: programs, scholarships, campus life, and next steps tailored to where you are in your journey. Or, skip the form and schedule a visit. Either way, we're ready when you are.