The Riley Institute

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Who We Are & What We Do

The Riley Institute empowers emerging and established leaders—across sectors and throughout society—with the knowledge and tools to advance equity and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina and beyond. We work to strengthen public education; promote the power of diversity to help teams, organizations, and communities thrive; and elevate informed, evidence-based approaches to critical public issues. In all it does, the institute is committed to nonpartisanship and a bias-free path to change. In support of our mission, we offer the following programs:

Public Education Initiatives
Diversity Strategies
Student Opportunities
Research & Consulting Services
Events
Statewide & Regional Awards

A Quarter Century of Excellence

For 25 years, the Riley Institute has been bringing high quality programming to Furman’s campus and beyond. Thousands of professionals state- and nationwide have taken part in our fellowships and applied their new skills and knowledge in their local communities. Even more Furman students and community members have taken part in our public policy events, hearing from guest speakers like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Madeleine Albright, Chuck Todd, Al Gore, Christine Todd Whitman, John Glenn, Mike McConnell, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Tom Brokaw.

Support Us for the Next 25
  • 3,000+
    Riley Fellows
    graduates of our renowned Diversity Leaders Initiative
  • 399
    rising Furman freshman participants in Advantage Scholars
    forming a community of scholars
  • $10.6
    Million
    generated to date in contracts through our research consultancy

Institute News

Bringing His World to Furman: Don Gordon’s Journey to The Riley Institute

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Lowcountry Honorees Among 2026 OneSouthCarolina Award Winners

News ReleaseOneSouthCarolina Partners in Progress AwardRiley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards

FOR INFORMATION: Claudia Winkler Director of Marketing & Communications The Riley Institute at Furman University 864-294-3368 • [email protected]   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lowcountry Honorees Among 2026 OneSouthCarolina Award Winners COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Riley Institute...

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Upstate Leader Honored Among 2026 OneSouthCarolina Award Recipients

Applied Public PolicyFurman Innovation LabNews ReleaseOneSouthCarolina Partners in Progress AwardRiley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards

FOR INFORMATION: Claudia Winkler Director of Marketing & Communications The Riley Institute at Furman University 864-294-3368 • [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Upstate Leader Honored Among 2026 OneSouthCarolina Award Recipients COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Riley Institute...

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