College of HRSM Launches Dawn Staley Leadership Academy

As a basketball coach, South Carolina’s Dawn Staley has taught her student-athletes a lot about leadership in the sport and for life after college. Now she’s extending those lessons into the classroom. Staley and the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management recently launched a partnership to form the Dawn Staley Leadership Academy, beginning Fall 2026 with 100 students.

“This academy is built on the belief that leadership is learned through discipline, service, humility, and purpose. We are preparing students not only to lead, but to lead in ways that matter,” Coach Staley said. “Leadership is something we need. It starts with young people.”

The DSLA is a structured 6-credit academic program that provides students with the vision, network and experiences to influence their industries, strengthen their communities, and lead beyond graduation. The curriculum is more than just theory and creates wonderful opportunities while focusing on the practical application of empathy, discipline, and authenticity in professional settings.

“The most impactful (opportunity) is being around a once in a generation type of coach, talent, leader, teacher, and human that Dawn Staley is,” said Michael Sagas, Dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. “Going beyond that, in studying her philosophy, her mistakes, and her successes, she comes to class and gets very vulnerable. She shares real experiences that are true life lessons.

“She is an incredible human being who adds value to almost everything she touches.”

The program emphasizes three principles:

1. The Disciplined Person Can Do Anything — accountability, self-regulation, and the mechanics of high-performing organizational cultures.
2. People Over Process — prioritizing empathy, emotional intelligence, and human connection over rigid administrative procedures.
3. Authentic Advocacy — using leadership platforms for positive disruption and broader societal impact.

“Leadership starts with each individual person,” Staley said. “When you are able to express yourself in a way that is authentic, that may be a little bit quirky, or maybe a little bit of an embarrassment because you’re sharing some intimate things about yourself, you need these skillsets so you can thrive in a competitive space. You need to figure out how to edge out someone when things aren’t equal.

“I hope students learn the what the value of communication is, what the value of resiliency is, and what the value is in making real connections.”

All College of HRSM students are eligible to apply for the academy. After taking a class taught by College of HRSM faculty, with frequent appearances by Coach Staley, students will take part in a competitive interview process to become Staley Leaders. The students will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, community involvement, and passion for their chosen major and the University. Upon entering the academy, students will receive personalized leadership coaching, access to additional leadership courses, and professional development opportunities.

The final element is a capstone course where students will complete a project and receive an impact grant to amplify their work in a project that gives back to their communities, which is a pillar in Dawn Staley’s leadership philosophy. All students who complete the Dawn Staley Leadership Academy will receive donor-funded scholarships throughout various program milestones.

“Collectively, with the courses and the time around Dawn’s teachings and the time around Coach Staley herself, I envision this being a transformational journey,” Sagas said. “The students will leave here much more ready for the real world in their discipline and capable of making real impacts.”