Office of the Provost

Faculty-Led Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) bring together students with shared interests, whether academic or personal, who typically reside on the same floor(s), engage in common activities, and form an inclusive, often family-like community. Recent research suggests that LLC residents achieve higher grades, graduation rates, sense of belonging, and overall happiness. The faculty-led communities are led by Dr. April Barnes and Dr. Lara Lomicka-Anderson.

Meet the Faculty Directors of our Living-Learning Communities

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  Jim Mensch

  Galen Health Fellows
  
  Dr. Jim Mensch serves as the Faculty Director of the Galen Health Fellows Living and Learning Community and is an Associate Professor in the Arnold School of Public Health/Exercise Science. He has been at USC since 2000 and authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications, written a textbook on psychosocial issues in athletic training, and secured over $8 million in research funding, including a Department of Defense grant supporting athletic training services across U.S. Army training bases. His work focuses on integrating medical care into non-traditional settings such as the military, youth sports, and international environments. He has received numerous recognitions, including the World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy Education Impact Award (2023) and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2025). Dr. Mensch lives in Irmo, South Carolina, with his wife, Laurene, and their two English labs. Their son, Jack, was a Galen Fellow and is completing law school at USC, and their daughter, Anna Grace, will graduate from the USC College of Pharmacy in 2027.

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  Amanda Fairchild

  Capstone Scholars
  
  Dr. Amanda Fairchild is a professor of psychology in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and the newly appointed Faculty Director of the Capstone Scholars Program. Since joining the University of South Carolina in 2008, she has built a distinguished career in quantitative psychology, prevention science and student mentorship. Dr. Fairchild also serves as associate chair of the Department of Psychology and founded the department’s Quantitative Psychology Ph.D. concentration. Her research focuses on advancing statistical methods in prevention science, including mediation and moderation analysis, psychometrics and causal inference, while collaborating on interdisciplinary projects related to mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders and health promotion. An APS Fellow and recipient of multiple university teaching and mentoring awards, Dr. Fairchild is deeply committed to student success and academic innovation. Outside the classroom, she enjoys supporting Gamecock students and fostering opportunities for experiential and interdisciplinary learning.

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  Charlie Pierce

  Engineering and Computing
  
  Dr. Charlie Pierce is an associate professor in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing and the inaugural Faculty Director of the Engineering and Computing Living and Learning Community. Over the past three years, he has served as the Faculty Executive Director of the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning in the Office of the Provost, where he spearheaded programs to promote high-impact teaching practices and support student engagement in meaningful beyond-the-classroom experiences. Dr. Pierce teaches geotechnical and materials engineering courses in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is honored to have been recognized as the American Society of Civil Engineers South Carolina Section Educator of the Year in 2021. A firm believer that everyone is an engineer at heart, Dr. Pierce enjoys cheering on Gamecock athletes and, as a native New Englander, is an avid fan of Boston’s professional sports teams.

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  Armen Shaomian

  Preston Residential College for Leadership
  
  Dr. Armen Shaomian is an associate professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. Joining USC in 2012, he established and expanded the entertainment management curriculum. His research focuses on the live entertainment industry and performing arts management and leadership, and he is a frequent presenter and keynote speaker at international music industry conferences. He currently holds the position of Immediate-Past President of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association. His partner Wes (a Gamecock alumnus and attorney) splits his time between Columbia and Washington, D.C., where he works on Capitol Hill.
  

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  Stephen Thompson

  First-Generation
  
  Dr. Stephen Thompson is a proud first-generation college graduate. He currently serves as the inaugural Faculty Director of the University of South Carolina First-Gen Living and Learning Community and is also a Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of South Carolina. In his role as Faculty Director, Dr. Thompson seeks to create programs that support first-generation college student success, career advancement, and leadership potential. His work as a science educator focuses on improving K-8 science education, especially in high-need communities, through practice-based models of science teacher development1. Dr. Thompson lives in Columbia, SC with his wife and dog. He also enjoys spending time outdoors (hiking, beaching, biking, etc.) with his two adult daughters.

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  Krista Van Fleit

  Global Fellows
  
  Dr. Krista Van Fleit is an Associate Professor of Chinese Studies in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Her first book, Literature the People Love: Reading Chinese Texts from the Early Maoist Period, 1949-1966, analyzes literature and film in 20th century China. She is currently writing a book on film culture in China and India. Krista lived in Beijing, China for many years, working as the entertainment editor for a local English language magazine during one of them, and was awarded a Fulbright to conduct research in India, living in Mussoorie and then New Delhi for just under a year. Krista grew up in the Midwest but has fallen in love with Columbia summers - if she isn’t in her office you’ll most likely find her at the pool. She lives with her partner, two teenage sons, a dog, and a one-eyed cat.