Carolina Experience
Meet the Peer Leaders
Ayah Bakhdoud
Ayah is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Charlotte, NC. She is on the Pre-dental track, majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Business Administration. Throughout her time here at USC, she has been involved in Delta Delta Sigma Pre-Dental Honor Society, Waverly After School volunteer program, and ASDA pre-dental club while pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) in Professional and Civic Engagement.
Ansley Bell
Ansley is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader. She is from Cincinnati, Ohio and is studying Exercise Science with a Pre-Med track. While at USC she has been an active member of a sorority on campus and served as a Pi Chi during sorority recruitment. Ansley has also served as a tutor to her peers while at USC.
Mairead Boland
Mairead is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Southern New York, about 30 minutes outside of NYC. She is majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a double minor in psychology and global studies, in hopes of pursuing a career within the Department of Justice. During her academic career at USC, she has become a member of Alpha Lambada Delta and joined of the Carolina Competitive Dance Team. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, going to the gym, going on long walks, shopping, and playing with her puppy!
Lydia Cross
Lydia is a Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the Columbia area. She is majoring in international business and marketing with the responsible international leadership cohort, with a minor in French and a concentration in sustainability. Throughout her time in USC, she has participated in Greek life, Gameco*ck Consulting Club, Women in Business Council, Net Impact, and is a Marketing Scholar. She is on track for graduate school.
Ricky Garretson
Ricky is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the suburbs outside Philadelphia, majoring in computer information systems with a focus on cybersecurity. Throughout his time at USC, he has been a dedicated member of Greek life, actively participating in various events and activities. Ricky’s academic journey has been focused on deepening his knowledge and skills to significantly impact the cybersecurity field after graduation.
A’myah Henderson
A’myah is a junior Carolina Experience Leader from Greenville, SC. She is a pre-dental student majoring in biology. Throughout her time at USC, she has assisted with two research projects, is on the executive board for the Gameco*ck Community Shop, and she’s an active member of the pre-dental club and the pre-dental honor society, DDS. After undergrad, her plan is to attend dental school.
Katie Huynh
Katie is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from upstate South Carolina. She is majoring in Civil Engineering. At USC, she is involved in the Filipino American Student Association and Sustainable Carolina.
Emmy Kappy
Emmy is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the Jersey Shore. She is majoring in Public Health and minoring in Business Administration. She transferred to the University of South Carolina at the start of her sophom*ore year and is so thankful she did! Throughout Emmy's time here, she has been involved with the Student Success Center, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and Tau Sigma Honor Society. She is also pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) in professional and civic engagement.
Ryan Landon
Ryan is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Wilmington, North Carolina. He is double majoring in finance and management, with concentrations in business analytics and entrepreneurship. During his time at South Carolina, he has become involved in Future Finance Associates and Greek life.
Maddy Lawson
Maddy is a Carolina Experience Graduate Leader from the lowcountry of South Carolina. She is a first-year Graduate Student here at USC, studying under the Clinical Mental Health track of the Counselor Education Ed.S. program. She recently graduated from undergrad here at USC, majoring in psychology with a double-minor in Spanish and Counselor Education, along with Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement. Throughout her time at Carolina, she has been involved in Carolina Productions, Dance Marathon, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Student Success Center. In her free time, Maddy loves to listen to music, watch her favorite comfort shows, and craft!
Alex Miller
Alex is a Junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from the Upstate of South Carolina. Studying at the Darla Moore School of Business, he is majoring in Operations and Supply Chain with a focus on Business Analytics. On his journey to graduation, Alex has participated in many school events and programs to build career experience and major-specific networking. With the assistance of the career programs, Alex is already working at an internship with a direct hire-on pipeline for GE Vernova.
Azariah Norman
Azariah is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Greenville, South Carolina. Her hobbies include reading Romance, Fantasy and she enjoys Arts and Crafts. She takes pleasure in watching Gray’s Anatomy and listening to music. Azariah is an animal lover to the core. She has a German Shepard, American Bulldog, and a Bunny.
She is majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Women’s and gender studies while following her dream to become an OBGYN. While attending USC she has participated in undergrad sociology research. She is a member of Changing Carolina Peer Leaders, The Association of African American Students, Black Medical Student Association, and SAVVY a group that helps promote the empowerment of women. She is pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Diversity and Social Advocacy and is on track to attend Medical School in the future.
Morgan Passley
Morgan is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Upstate New York. She is majoring in Theater with a double minor of Business and Psychology. Throughout her time at USC, she has been involved in MAPP program and Tau Sigma national transfer student honor society and is on track to graduate in May 2026.
Isha Patel
Isha is a junior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from Upstate South Carolina. She is majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Business Administration on the Pre-Med track. Throughout her time at USC, she has enriched her academic journey with two study-abroad experiences, exploring an art course in Accra, Ghana, and an African American studies course in Paris, France.
In addition to her academic journey, Isha is a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador, a mentor for the Opportunity Scholars Program, a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and a Service Saturday Site Leader. She is pursuing Graduation with a Leadership Distinction in Research and is on track for Medical School.
Lexi Rude
Lexi is a senior Carolina Experience Peer Leader from upstate South Carolina. She is majoring in biology and is on the pre-med track. Throughout her time at USC, she has been involved in studying abroad in London, Spurs Up for St. Jude, Alpha Omega Epsilon, and Women in Healthcare.
