‘It could be the edger’: USC’s Dawn Staley launches leadership program for students

COLUMBIA — University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley is lending her time and name to a new leadership program at the state’s flagship university.

This fall, the Dawn Staley Leadership Academy welcomed its first group of 110 students studying for careers in sports, entertainment, tourism, retail and fashion merchandising.

“When I connect myself to things, it takes over my heart,” said Staley, head coach at USC since 2008.

“I want to share the things that I’ve learned throughout my life with young people. If it resonates with them, I think it’s a great thing,” said the three-time NCAA national championship head coach and former Olympian.

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Students participate in an eight-week introductory course with regular appearances by Staley herself. The course provides students one credit hour. Classes cover topics including leadership, personal values, recovering from difficulties and managing emotions.

“For me, leadership starts now,” Staley said, adding they need to learn the skills before being thrown into a leadership position.

“I just want young people to get everything and be equipped to handle whatever challenges that are faced in and out of their profession, in and out of relationships, in and out of anything that they deem a challenge,” Staley said. “I want them to lean into challenges.”

Students who complete the introductory course can compete to be among the 35 selected each year to continue on through the rest of the academy. Those who successfully complete the remaining three courses, providing six total credit hours, and a community project will graduate with a special leadership certificate.

“This credential will tell employers not simply what these students have studied, but how to lead in uncommon and transformational ways,” said Michael Sagas, dean of USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.

In addition to class time, participating students can attend outside events, such as immersion trips to championship organizations, workshops and career coaching. Sagas said the school plans to bring in industry leaders for candid conversations about the leadership process.

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“I hope they learn what the value of communication is, what the value of resiliency is, what the value is making real connections. They’ll have to go out into the community and make an impact,” Staley said. “But it’s going to be a foundation of allowing them to grow and to stand out.”

Staley hopes the certificate will help students once they graduate and begin looking for a job.

“If you have this certificate, you can put it in somebody’s face and it could be the edger,” she said. “You want it to be the differentiator.”

Staley also said she looks forward to building connections with students across campus “who are pounding the pavements and really are paying for their education,” in addition to the athletes on her team.

“For me, I want everybody to win. I want everybody to be successful,” she said.