Preston Residential College
2014-2015 FINAL UPDATE
Organization: Preston Residential College
Blueprint Author: Sarah Morgan, Assistant Principal
Overview for Reporting Year:
Staff Description: (describe number and level of staff members – do not include names)
(1) part-time Faculty Principal
(1) full-time Assistant Principal
(1) full-time Business Manager
(1) full-time Residence Life Coordinator (shared with the International House at Maxcy)
(1) part-time Graduate Assistant
(3) part-time Graduate Mentors
(4) instructors/faculty teaching Preston-only courses throughout the year
(3) part-time undergraduate office assistants
Funding Source: (describe how unit is funded – such as, student fees, tuition, etc.)
Preston Residential College is funded through institutional A funds and D funds (student fees) each
semester from residents.
Contingencies managed: The Preston Business Manager was on maternity leave from April until August,
which meant finding a suitable temporary Business Manager to help conduct daily operations.
Policy changes: none
Mission statement: Preston Residential College is a creative and vibrant community open to all
undergraduates and to all academic majors on the USC-Columbia campus. With longstanding traditions,
innovative programming, student initiatives, faculty mentoring, and a unique dining facility, Preston
Residential College fosters a dynamic living and learning environment that promotes intellectual
exchange, leadership development, social interaction, and creative expression beyond the traditional
confines of the classroom.
Overall analysis of performance: Throughout the 2014-2015 academic year, PRC enjoyed tremendous
success. We strengthened our commitments to community service and civic engagement, invested
resources to upgrade our common spaces, and retooled our marketing and outreach efforts. In an effort
to support academic development and intellectual exchange, PRC created a series of highly successful
small classes taught by Faculty Associates. In an effort to promote international travel and inquiry, PRC
worked with the Office of Study Abroad and provided stipends to support travel, study, and research in
Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and South Africa. To advance undergraduate scholarship and research,
PRC collaborated with the Office of Undergraduate Research and funded the Magellan Explorer Initiative
that awarded $500 competitive grants to residents interested in forging collaborative research projects
with University faculty. Under the advisement of our Graduate Mentor for Service, Y-IMPACT, our
immensely talented community service organization, Preston strengthened our commitment to civic
engagement and shared responsibility, promoted monthly service projects, reorganized the renovated
library, maintained our garden plots, raised funds to provide holiday gifts for needy families, promoted
Service Saturday opportunities, and organized a highly successful Relay for Life campaign. Additionally,
our residents recorded over 1,700 hours of recorded community service.
Looking ahead, Preston Residential College will continue to devise effective models for student
leadership development. We will continue to identify areas of improvement in our marketing efforts
while strengthening our internal and external communications channels. We will continue to address
deferred maintenance concerns and identify funding for technological improvements and facilities
upgrades that enhance our common spaces, study areas, shared kitchen, and student-maintained
gardens. We will continue to identify grant and development opportunities that will provide additional
resources to enhance Preston’s educational mission.
Vision: Preston Residential College seeks to provide a transformative undergraduate experience by
fostering purposeful faculty-student interaction, a commitment to servant leadership, and a passion for
civic engagement.
Core Functions:
1. Leadership development
2. Civic engagement
3. Creative expression
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Goal 1: Enhance student success through the development and promotion of intellectual and
academic opportunities within Preston and the greater USC community.
(link to Division of Academic Affairs goal 1, Division of Student Affairs goals 2, 3 and 4, as well as
Department of Student Development and University Housing goals 1 and 4)
Analysis of goal achievement: As the only residential college at the University of South Carolina,
Preston strives to create opportunities for our residents to engage in meaningful activities inside and
outside the classroom. With a small population, we are able to provide students a chance to enroll in
smaller classes, and have more focused interactions with faculty and staff. The challenge of enrolling
new students into Preston-specific classes prior to the beginning of the academic year falls equally on
the academic advising during Orientation and information overload aimed at incoming students.
Initiative: Develop and implement academic courses that will offer small class settings and foster
intellectual exchange between Preston College residents and University faculty.
KPI: In an effort to support academic development and intellectual exchange, Preston Residential
College created a series of highly successful small classes taught by Faculty Associates. Enrollments
for Preston-specific courses during 2014-2015 were:
 UNIV101.A01
18/18 were Preston residents (100%)
 UNIV101.A02
19/19 were Preston residents (100%)
 ENGL101.A24
13/24 were Preston residents (54%)
Theme: Challenged, Banned, and Burned: Reading and Writing About Censorship
Fulfilled Carolina Core CMW
 UNIV290.A01
10/10 were Preston residents (100%)
Theme: Leadership
 ENGL102.A81
24/24 enrolled were Preston residents (100%)
Theme: Rhetoric and Research in the World of Sports
Fulfilled Carolina Core CMW
 SPCH140.A01
19/19 enrolled were Preston residents (100%)
 UNIV290.A01
7/7 enrolled were Preston residents (100%)
Theme: Local Arts and Culture
Assessment method: Enrollment in these courses was based on the Preston Banner attribute. The
3PRC code allows enrollment only for individuals we identify as Preston residents.
Initiative: Develop a series of programs to create purposeful shared interactions between students and
Associates. We will coordinate activities purposefully involving one or two Associates. This could take
the form of a FEDEx event, recreational activity or off-campus excursion.
KPI: 25 Associates joined students for dinner at Preston Dining between August and April. Associates
also interacted with students during the following events:
 President's Tea (September 5)
 Speed Dating with Associates (September 15)
 Apple picking in Hendersonville, NC (September 21)
 Preston's 75th anniversary celebration (October 5)
 Fireside chat with Dr. Olga Mula (October 28)
 Pumpkin Carving (October 30)
 Bring Your Graduate Student to Dinner (November 12)
 Gingerbread House Decorating (December 3)
 Mix and Mingle with Associates (February 3)
 tour of the Rare Books and Special Collections at the Thomas Cooper Library (February 4)
 Discussion of Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris (February 23)
 Mix and Mingle with Associates (April 8)
 Annual Gatsby banquet and awards ceremony (April 11)
 Numerous FEDEx events (throughout the year)
Assessment method: To assess the participation of Preston Associates, we tracked attendance at
Preston Dining, as well as at various events and activities throughout the semester.
Initiative: Promote and facilitate international travel and inquiry through informational programs and
the continuation of competitive grants that provide stipends to support study abroad opportunities.
KPI: 6 residents applied for and were awarded travel grants, ranging from $500 to $1,000 to
support study abroad trips. Our residents will use these funds to travel to Germany, France, Italy,
Austria, and South Africa
Assessment method: To assess the effectiveness of this initiative, Preston College will track the
number of applications and request a short final qualitative report from all grant recipients that
chronicles their respective experiences and outlines how resources were expended.
Initiative: Promote and facilitate external scholarship and grant applications among Preston residents.
KPI: By encouraging our residents to seek and apply for grants and scholarships, we are able to
enhance the learning of our students. By sharing the success of our students who are successful
in their funding applications, other residents will be encouraged to apply for scholarships and
grants, as well.
Two students, Dominque Francis and Jessica Parker, applied for the Truman Scholarship.
Assessment method: Effectiveness of this goal will be measured by the number of applications
submitted for external grants and scholarships by our residents.
Initiative: Promote and facilitate undergraduate research, independent studies, and faculty
collaborations. Continue the implementation of the Preston Magellan Explorer grant program.
KPI: Preston Residential College hosted Office of Undergraduate Research Ambassadors at
dinner on September 24.
Allison Ryan applied for and was granted a Preston Magellan Explorer grant for 2014-2015. Her
topic is “A Study of Homeless Children and Unaccompanied Minors in Columbia, SC.” She
worked with Dr. Bret Kloos.
Lois Carlise applied for and was granted a Magellan Scholar grant for 2014-2015. Her topic is "An
Unrecorded Legacy: The History of Preston Residential College and University Expansion in the
New South." She worked with Dr. Bobby Donaldson.
Assessment method: To assess the effectiveness of this initiative, Preston College will track
number of applications to various research grant opportunities, including the Preston Magellan
Explorer grant offered through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Other updates:
 7 residents are in the South Carolina Honors College
 20 residents are Capstone Scholars
 39 students earned a 4.0 for the Fall 2014 semester (24 of whom are first year students)
 40 students earned a 4.0 for the Spring 2015 semester (20 of whom are first year students)
 17 students have a 4.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the academic year
28 students utilized the Academic Coaching and Engagement (ACE) Center during the 2014-2015
academic year, 6 of whom met 3 or more times with an ACE coach.
Preston residents consistently had a higher average cumulative GPA than all undergraduates.
Fall 2014 all undergraduate GPA
3.13
Fall 2014 Preston GPA
3.43
Spring 2015 all undergraduate GPA
Spring 2015 Preston GPA
3.16
3.35
Our study areas (2 study rooms, art room, computer lab, JCR and Seminar Rooms) reported moderate
usage throughout the year. Based on RM duty logs, our spaces were used:
Computer lab: 123 days (down from 169 days in 2013-2014; 27% decrease in use)
All study rooms and art room: 193 days (up from 88 days in 2013-2014; 219% increase in use)
JCR/Seminar Room: 137 days (up from 98 days in 2013-2014; 28% increase in use)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Goal 2: Provide students opportunities and programs to promote leadership and civic engagement
within Preston and the greater USC community.
(link to Division of Academic Affairs goals 1 and 4, Division of Student Affairs goals 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well
as Department of Student Development and University Housing goals 2, 3, and 4)
Analysis of goal achievement: Throughout the year, Preston promotes many experiences and
opportunities for our residents to enhance their leadership skills and social responsibilities. For the most
part, our residents take advantage of these opportunities, but we often find ourselves overprogramming and expecting mostly first-year students to manage their time effectively, in addition to
their studies. We have worked to strengthen students' skills as effective leaders by the development of a
weekly seminar focused on leadership skills, networking, and personal development that drew upon a
wealth of experience shared by distinguished leaders on campus and within the
community. Additionally, we have made available resources to encourage residents to attend
workshops, retreats, and training sessions. Based on recent course evaluations of our leadership skills
seminar, we have taken some valuable steps in developing a more robust and sustainable model that
provides students the requisite tools to improve their leadership skills and to broaden their leadership
aspirations.
Initiative: Promote and facilitate community service initiatives among residents and provide resources
for Y-IMPACT, Preston’s community service organization.
KPI: Students participated in a number of service opportunities both on- and off-campus. All
residents were asked to record their service hours, and Preston students recorded 1,711 hours
during the 2014-2015 academic year. Preston residents raised $7,620 this year, split between
Families Helping Families (local organization), Dance Marathon (national organization), Relay for
Life (national organization), and Champions for Life (international organization).
Assessment method: Success is measured by number of recorded community service hours and
amount of money raised.
Initiative: Coordinate a service-learning trip for Preston residents—either Spring Break or other
extended-weekend trip.
KPI: Preston did not host a service-learning trip for Preston residents during the 2014-2015
academic year. Students had voiced interest, however, there was not sufficient time to plan and
execute.
Assessment method: To assess the effectiveness of this initiative, we will record attendance and
interest in service learning trips. Following on the success of a recent trip to the Penn Center, we
will ask faculty and students to submit written journals that chronicle their experiences and
conduct post-event surveys to gauge learning and satisfaction.
Initiative: Host at least one leadership retreat with Resident Mentors, Graduate Mentors, Preston
Ambassadors, Hall Government and other selected leaders by June 30, 2015.
KPI: The Preston Leadership Retreat was held January 30 and 31, when 32 students, plus Preston
staff traveled to Camp Thunderbird at Lake Wylie, SC. Sessions included team building activities,
a discussion on Appreciative Leadership, and programming.
Students reported appreciation for the social media and marketing strategies that were
introduced. Our speaker, Kevin Clarke from U101, received high praises for his presentation on
time management.
Assessment Method: To assess the effectiveness of the leadership retreat, we facilitated a postretreat survey, gauging participant learning and soliciting feedback for future retreats.
Initiative: Create a credit-bearing UNIV290 course on leadership development for Preston residents.
KPI: Ten residents participated in a Leadership Development (U290) seminar led by Dr. Bobby
Donaldson and Sarah Morgan during the Fall 2015 semester. On a weekly basis, students
engaged in dialogue with leaders from around South Carolina, including USC Trustee William
Hubbard, civil rights photographer Cecil Williams, Free Times editor Dan Cook, and USC Student
Body President Lindsay Richardson.
Students reported overall satisfaction and learning, with 100% of students agreeing or strongly
agreeing to 18 of the 21 prompts asked in the course assessment.
Assessment method: To measure the effectiveness of this initiative, Preston College will
implement a series of peer assessments and qualitative evaluations among class participants.
Preston College will also measure the effectiveness of the initiative by tracking responses in
course and instructor evaluations.
Initiative: In conjunction with a new UNIV290 course on leadership development, Preston will host a
leadership dialogue and speaker series in Preston Dining and in the Preston Junior Common Room
throughout the year.
KPI: All residents were invited to sit in and listen to select speakers in the U290 course, including
American Bar Association President William Hubbard, civil rights photographer Cecil Williams,
and Stan Little, regional business consultant. Congressman James Clyburn addressed Preston
residents and other faculty, staff, and students on October 6.
Assessment method: To assess the effectiveness of this initiative, Preston College solicited
speaker recommendations from residents.
Other updates:
Residents participated in the following leadership experiences during the 2014-2015 academic year
 Emerging Leaders Program
 University Ambassadors
 Service organizations
 Honor societies
 University Band
 Intramurals
 Internships
 University 101 Peer Leaders


6 students were sponsored by Preston to attend the Student Leadership and Diversity
Conference (SLDC), with another 8 residents sponsored to attend from various offices on
campus.
49 residents are members of a social fraternity or sorority
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Goal 3: Provide students opportunities and programs to promote social engagement, creative
expression and cultural awareness within Preston and the greater USC community.
(link to Division of Academic Affairs goal 1, Division of Student Affairs goals 2, 3 and 4, as well as
Department of Student Development and University Housing goals 2, 3, and 4)
Analysis of goal achievement: Throughout the academic year, numerous programs were presented for
Preston residents. These events were coordinated by Preston residents, the Preston leadership team, or
outside sponsors. At each event, students had the opportunity to interact with other residents, USC
faculty and staff. Our signature event, FEDEx, continued to be a very popular event for students and
Associates, and will continue through the next academic year. We are continually re-examining Preston
Dining both formally and informally. We have learned that the cultural norm is no longer to sit down to a
meal and converse with others—students today operate under a "grab and go" mentality. This, along
with conflicting class and work schedules, makes Preston Dining an increasingly difficult part of the
Preston Residential College experience to effectively execute.
Initiative: Continue the Friday Evening Dining Experience (FEDEX) program to introduce students to the
abundance of different cultures through cuisines and restaurants in the greater Columbia area.
KPI: 28 students and 14 Associates participated in five FEDEx events. The FEDEx program is
managed by an undergraduate student volunteer.
 September excursion to Inakaya (Japanese)
 October excursion to Arabesuqe (Middle Eastern)
 November excursion to Villa Tronco (Italian)
 March excursion to Salina's Cafe (Ethiopian)
 April excursion to Real Mexico (Mexican)
These excursions are to locally-owned, authentic restaurants. Leah Edwards, our student
coordinator, chose the cuisine based on feedback from Preston residents. Restaurants were
chosen (Thai, Mexican, etc.), and students RSVP’d with a fun fact about that country. From there,
each participant was assigned a topic to research based on that culture. Topics usually included
current events, arts, sports, music and government.
Preston funds up to 15 students per month, up to $15 each for these dinners. Participants learn
different topical information about the country each month and will experience authentic
cuisine from a locally-owned restaurant. This program gives students a chance to get off campus,
meet new residents and explore Columbia.
Assessment method: Participation is measured by RSVPs of both students and Associates.
Informal assessment of satisfaction also occurs at each event.
Initiative: Re-examine the goals and effectiveness of Preston Dining
KPI: A satisfaction survey was administered in October 2014. Questions ranged from measuring
overall satisfaction, to asking specific questions regarding the menu, to better understand why
students choose not to dine in our facility. Out of 64 respondents: 48 (75%) agreed or strongly
agreed with the statement "overall, I am satisfied with the Preston Dining experience."
"When I don't attend Preston Dining it is because _____"
I have class during PDining
34.38%
I don't like what is being served
68.75%
I don't have anyone to go with
26.56%
I have work/organization meeting
39.06%
I regularly attend Preston Dining
18.75%
Assessment method: To assess the effectiveness of Preston Dining, staff will work with the
Carolina Card Office to maintain attendance records; work with Preston Government to conduct
regular surveys of meals and dining experiences; solicit student feedback on menus.
Initiative: Track resident and non-resident attendance at Preston events involvement and leadership.
KPI: The number of total unique residents in Preston for 2014-2015 was 230. Out of these
residents, only one student did not attend an event in Preston, a 99.6% event attendance rate.
Assessment method: Attendance data was drawn from Turbo Aero machines.
Initiative: Collaborate with Preston Associates to increase student engagement with music, theatre,
performing arts and dance events.
KPI: Three tickets were purchased for students to see the film "Boyhood" at the Nickelodeon
Theater. Preston purchased 10 tickets to "Ajax in Iraq" at Longstreet Theater.
Assessment method: The Preston Business Manager maintained a record of attendance and
participation by residents who use tickets purchased by the College.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Goal 4: Create and cultivate varied partnerships with academic and student affairs
(link to Division of Academic Affairs goal 1, Division of Student Affairs goals 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as
Department of Student Development and University Housing goals 2 and 4)
Analysis of goal achievement: Each year, Preston proudly works with offices and departments from all
part of campus to create new and support existing programs for not only Preston residents, but the
general student body as a whole. With an increased focus on advertising our community to incoming
students, we have seen a tremendous uptick in application numbers and interest in living in Preston
Residential College. This is both a success and a challenge in terms of time and energy it takes to review
each application.
Initiative: Co-sponsor at least 1 event per semester with another campus entity
KPI: Co-sponsorships put Preston’s name on events that are open to the entire campus, and
therefore increase our visibility to all students. These events enhanced the relationships we have
with various offices and departments. Students benefit from these relationships and personal
contacts in many different ways, particularly through resource matching.
 Fireside chat with Dr. Olga Mula (Math department)
 tour of the Rare Books and Special Collections at the Thomas Cooper Library (Division of
Libraries)
 Discussion of Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris (French department)
 Weekly conversations with international students in Preston Dining (EPI )
 Robert Smalls Annual Lecture, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowksi, III (African American Studies
Program)
 USC Civil Rights Tour (Office of Multicultural Student Affairs)
 Heyward E. McDonald Lecture on Peace and Justice (Presbyterian Student Association)
 What to wear, when (Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs)
 CHICKS Conference
Assessment method: To measure the effectiveness of this initiative, we will track the number of
events co-sponsored throughout the year. Preston tracked the number of co-sponsorship
opportunities and entities, financial contributions, attendance and overall satisfaction.
Initiative: Work with Alumni Association to identifying and contacting former Preston residents for
updated records and anticipated reunion participation.
KPI: Fall of 2014 marked the 75th anniversary of Preston Residential College. Planning for this
event started in early 2014, as we began to identify residents from the past seven decades. This
was a daunting task, as records are spotty at best, up until 2004 when our electronic records
begin. With help from the MyCarolina Alumni Association social media team, we used existing
Preston and USC social media to reach out to known former Preston residents, as well as general
alumni lists to ask people to self-identify as former residents. Their information was added to
our existing database of known former residents, and asked that they forward this information
request to any other former residents they may still be in contact with. Our current alumni
database now has over 2,000 contacts.
The partnership with the Alumni Association was imperative in gathering accurate information
from former residents. Our former residents were contacted for reunions, but also to present
talks or programs for our residents, as well as participate in events. Through multiple avenues of
outreach, we welcomed home roughly 150 former residents, faculty, staff and friends on
November 5, 2014.
Assessment method: To measure the effectiveness of this initiative, we will create and
continually update our alumni roster with as much information as possible. Success of the
celebration was measured by number of attendees.
Other updates:
These awards were presented at the Residence Hall Association Awards Ceremony:
 Hall Government of the Year (North Area)
 RHA Outstanding Senator of the Year: Mariah "Skye" Massey
 Resident Mentor of the Year (North Area): Dominique Francis
 Crisis Manager of the Year (North Area): Jessica Parker
 Rookie RM of the Year (North Area): Allison Ryan
 Senior RM of the Year (North Area): Audrey Ellison
 Professional Staff of the Year (North Area): Ryan Lloyd
These awards were presented at the annual Preston Residential College Gatsby Banquet and Award
Ceremony:
 Dr. Hal French Knowledge Award: Ryan Geiser
 Leadership Awards: Lee Goble and Zack Roper
 Creative Arts Award: Kendra Little
 Spirit Award: James "Ridge" DeVuono
 Service Award: MacKenzie McGraw
 Resident Mentor of the Year: Ashton Peterson
 Associate of the Year: Dr. Claire Jerry
 Resident of the Year: Emily Thickens
These awards were presented at the University Award’s Day on the Horseshoe:
 Art History Rising Senior Award: Lois Carlisle
 University 101 Scholarship: Christian Ditty and Sarah Hinckley
 Phi Beta Kappa Freshman Scholarship Awards: Megan Gilroy and Zalak Shah
 John N. Gardner Inspirational Faculty Award: Dr. Bobby Donaldson
 Graduate Dean's Award for Excellence in Leadership: Chiwoneso Tinago
These awards were presented at the Department of Student Life Leadership and Service Awards
Ceremony:
 Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Dr. John Grady
 Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Gold Level): Juel Foster

Pin of Leadership: Ashton Peterson and Allison Ryan
Based on results from the bi-annual EBI survey through University Housing, Preston scored higher than
the on-campus average in all areas. Compared to the other faculty-led communities, Preston scored the
highest in satisfaction in 15 of the 20 categories.