Who We Are
Pillars for Carolina is the University of South Carolina’s premier student-led extended orientation program, designed to connect incoming first-year and transfer students to the people, resources, and experiences that shape a meaningful college journey. For 15 years, Pillars has created a foundation of community and confidence through activities centered on school spirit, leadership, service, and Carolina traditions.
Our mission is to inspire students to leave their mark on the university by fostering self-discovery, building lasting relationships, and helping them transition successfully into campus life. We envision a community of passionate Gamecocks who begin their college experience with a strong sense of belonging, the confidence to lead, and the knowledge to navigate every opportunity USC offers.
Guided by our core values: community, connection, fun, and self-discovery, Pillars provides an unforgettable, high-impact experience where students explore campus and Columbia, serve alongside their peers, learn university traditions, and form lifelong friendships with mentors, faculty, and staff.
The Impact
Students who participate in Pillars for Carolina start their first year at USC more confident, more connected, and more prepared to succeed. They gain early access to campus resources, develop meaningful peer and mentor relationships, and build the leadership skills needed to make an immediate impact.
This early sense of belonging strengthens student engagement, supports retention, and cultivates leaders who contribute to the university and the broader Columbia community. Pillars doesn’t just welcome students to Carolina, it empowers them to shape it.
What Your Gifts Will Do
Your support makes it possible for more students to experience this transformational start to their college journey. Gifts to Pillars for Carolina help provide:
$450 - This generous donation will cover the cost of Attendance for a participant's whole Pillars Experience.
$247 - This generous donation will cover the cost of Housing for a participant's whole Pillars Experience.
$192 - This generous donation will cover the cost of Meals for a participant's whole Pillars Experience.
$62 - This generous donation will cover the cost of a single day of Housing for a participant's whole Pillars Experience.
$20 - This generous donation will cover the cost of a single day of Meals for a participant's whole Pillars Experience.
$11 - This generous donation will cover the cost of a Pillars T-shirt for a participant's whole experience.
$5 - This generous donation will cover the cost of props and outdoor activities for a participant's whole experience.
Your investment ensures every student has the opportunity to begin their Gamecock experience with confidence, connection, and a strong foundation for success.
Call to Action
Be part of the next generation of Carolina leaders. Make your gift today and help us continue building a community where every student belongs and thrives.
Share This Message
Help us grow the Pillars network by sharing this page with your friends, family, and fellow Gamecocks. Post the link, send an email, and invite others to invest in the student experience at USC.
Thanks for Your Support!
Your support of Pillars for Carolina is an investment in students, in leadership, and in the future of our university. Because of you, new Gamecocks will arrive on campus ready to connect, lead, and leave their mark.
