December 9, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

A third generation Gamecock, Arlis Dawsey grew up wearing garnet and black and knew that USC would feel like a second home. The Chapin, South Carolina native decided to study public health because of its focus on population-level changes and community service. He plans to build on this foundation by becoming a dentist providing care in underserved communities.

“My experience at USC has been filled with friendship, mentorship and hard work where I have grown and created lifelong memories,” Dawsey says. “I have been fortunate to develop such strong relationships with advisors, professors and other students that have guided me to where I am today.”

In addition to maintaining a perfect GPA in his coursework, the USC Capstone Scholar immersed himself in volunteer work and campus life. Through Project Vida, which he led as president for 3.5 years, Dawsey volunteered in afterschool programs – teaching public health lessons to promote healthy lifestyles for kids in under resourced communities.

As a committed member of the USC Student Body Government, he directed philanthropy and special projects, served as an ambassador for the Russell House Advisory Board and First Year Reading Experience, and coordinated with other campus partners for initiatives like Stuff-the-Bus in support of Epworth Children’s Home. In addition, Dawsey mentored first-year students as a U101 Peer Leader and joined USC’s Pre-Dental (Delta Delta Sigma) and Pre-Health (Alpha Epsilon Delta) Honors Societies. Collectively, these activities led to Dawsey achieving Graduation with Leadership Distinction through the Community Service pathway – a nice addition to the Young Philanthropist of the Year Award he had already received from the Greater Chapin Community Foundation.

Inside his academic program, Dawsey found mentors in public health faculty and staff, like Kara Montgomery, Sarah Patneaude, and Kersten Cope.

“They have supported me throughout my time at USC both academically and personally,” he says. “They have truly cared about my well-being and offered great guidance to my path towards dental school. I would not have had the same experience in the Arnold School without these people, and I cannot thank them enough for their kindness and compassion.”

Looking back at his undergraduate tenure, Dawsey has some advice for other students.

“Build strong relationships with those around you,” he says. “It is a long and tough process that you cannot tackle alone. You need to have advisors, mentors, and friends who offer advice and keep you motivated. I would also recommend becoming involved on campus with activities that you truly enjoy rather than just to satisfy a requirement. You will gain so much more from an experience if you enjoy the work you are doing.”

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