Education

B.A., Broadcast Journalism, Howard University
M.S.W., Master of Social Work, University of South Carolina
Ph.D., Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies, University of South Carolina

Responsibilities

Rushondra James provides executive oversight for student success initiatives to include academic advising, retention, recruitment, campus partnerships and career services.  She also serves as the college’s scholarship administrator. Prior to joining the CIC, James worked in the College of Social work where she established the student services processes and administration for the Bachelor of Social Work Program.

Research Interests

James’ research interest includes the access, equity, persistence, and graduation of underrepresented students, and women’s leadership in higher education. Her doctoral dissertation studied the career trajectories of 11 present and former women presidents of colleges and universities. 

Service

2023-2024: Immediate Past-President, University of South Carolina Staff Senate Executive Committee
2022-2023: President, University of South Carolina Staff Senate Executive Committee
2022-Present: Member of the Provost’s Advisory Committee for Women’s Initiatives (PACWI) 
2021-2022: Vice President, University of South Carolina Staff Senate Executive Committee
2017-2021: Advisor, University of South Carolina Chapter of National Association of Black Journalists
2019:  Staff Inductee, Chi Sigma Alpha Student Affairs Honor Society
2018-2019: Emerging Leaders Program, University of South Carolina
2018: Advising Directorate, University of South Carolina

Personal

James is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is the assistant dean for student success in the College of Information and Communications.

James graduated magna cum laude from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and a minor in sociology. She earned a Master of Social Work and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Carolina. 

She is a licensed social worker for the state of South Carolina and a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

A member of several university-wide initiatives, James was an inaugural Faculty Fellow with the South Carolina Collaborative on Race and Reconciliation housed in the Office of Diversity. Through this initiative, she and nine other faculty/staff members facilitate dialogue and foster discussions centered around race. Additionally, she is a part of the 2018-2019 cohort of the Emerging Leaders Program and previous advisor for the University of South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

One of her life’s purposes is to improve the lives of youth and women.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.   She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.