Carrigan Woodson

Carrigan Woodson is a rising senior at the University of South Carolina, majoring in Mass Communications with minors in English and Spanish. She aspires to become a news reporter after graduation, but her dreams also include becoming an author, documentary filmmaker, and eventually, a Communications Director.

Her passion for journalism began early at North Vista Elementary School, where she helped launch the school’s first newscast, which was broadcast into every classroom. Before graduating with high honors from Wilson High School’s International Baccalaureate program, she began developing her communication and public relations skills through service. She partnered with The Manna House and Lighthouse Ministries to plan Valentine’s Day celebrations for houseless individuals and single mothers, organizing events that combined compassion with community engagement.

At USC, Carrigan deepened her interest in journalism as a writer and reporter under Garnet Media Group. She became The Daily Gamecock’s student government beat writer, where she discovered a fascination for covering passed legislation and important events. This work sparked a broader interest in public policy research and the power of informative communication. She believes timely, clear information empowers people to take appropriate action and propose meaningful solutions to pressing issues.

Carrigan is especially passionate about giving a voice to the voiceless and shedding light on overlooked topics. She believes uniting people who care about local and global concerns can lead to real strategies and solutions that make the world a better place. She is excited to learn and grow as a summer 2025 research fellow with Palmetto Promise Institute.