July 19, 2017

South Carolina’s Irma Van Scoy Wins SEC ALDP Alumni Fellowship

Dr. Van Scoy plans to explore strategies, potential and progress in taking integrative and experiential learning to scale at large, comprehensive universities.

By: Bryant Welbourne
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Dr. Irma Van Scoy, Executive Director of USC Connect at the University of South Carolina, has won an SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Alumni Fellowship, the league office announced Wednesday. The fellowship provides opportunities for SEC ALDP alumni to visit other SEC universities to strengthen their administrative leadership skills.

As part of the fellowship, Dr. Van Scoy is scheduled to visit the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Georgia during the 2017-2018 academic year. She plans to explore strategies, potential and progress in taking integrative and experiential learning to scale at large, comprehensive universities.

“I have been fortunate to be able to participate in several SEC programs, including the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program,” said Van Scoy. “I am honored to be one of the first recipients of the alumni fellowship, and I am excited to visit other SEC campuses where administrators and staff are doing outstanding work in the area of student success and engagement.”

The SEC ALDP seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC universities and beyond. It includes a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants and two SEC-wide three-day workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants.

“For more than 10 years SEC universities have been intentionally investing in the future of higher education through the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, and the opportunity to expand the scope of the program in this way is significant,” said Torie Johnson, Executive Director of SECU. “Dr. Van Scoy is clearly a leader at the University of South Carolina, and we are pleased to be able to support her growth through collaboration with other SEC administrators.”

Dr. Van Scoy has served as Executive Director of USC Connect, the university’s signature learning initiative, since its creation in 2011. USC Connect supports students, faculty and staff in building opportunities for integrating learning within- and beyond-the-classroom through community service, diversity and social advocacy, global learning, professional and civic engagement, and undergraduate research. Dr. Van Scoy was part of the 2011-12 SEC ALDP cohort.

The SEC ALDP is managed by SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC supports and promotes the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty at its 14 member universities.