The Riley Institute brings people together around ideas and issues that shape opportunity and upward social and economic mobility. Through public events, research, analysis, and thought leadership, we explore the role that education and civic engagement play in helping people and communities thrive.
Below, explore upcoming events, timely perspectives, and insights that connect research, policy, and practice; elevate informed and diverse voices; and deepen understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing South Carolina and beyond.
Recent Policy Events
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Inside South Carolina Government with Senator Vincent Sheheen
Former South Carolina state senator Vincent Sheheen offers a clear, engaging look at how South... -
Beyond Bars: Pathways to Reentry
The United States leads the world in incarceration rates—driven by deep economic and racial inequities—and... -
2026 OneSouthCarolina Events
2026 Building OneSC Forum & Riley-Wilkins Awards Dinner The Riley-Wilkins Awards Dinner is presented by...
Staff Opinions
Keely, Waymer champion afterschool and summer programs in The Post and Courier
This op-ed was originally ran on March 27, 2026, in The Post and Courier.
Continue Reading >Riley Institute’s Bryan Boroughs and Claudia Winkler provide opinion piece on collective agency
This op-ed was originally ran on November 17, 2024, in the Greenville News. Americans are unhappy. If nothing else is clear after the recent elections, surely that is. According to Gallup, 72% of Americans...
Continue Reading >Gregory, Winkler write op-ed about innovative literacy program, Spark!
This op-ed was originally ran on January 24, 2025 in the South Carolina Daily Gazette. by Kelly Gregory, Claudia Winkler When education specialists from The Riley Institute at Furman University met with an innovative team...
Continue Reading >Student Op-eds
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Greenville’s growth is pushing out its past. It doesn't have to.
Amiya Young ’26 discusses effective practices for protecting longtime city residents from being pushed out of their homes in this Post & Courier piece. -
You can’t fix the birth rate without fixing child care
True DePaoli ’27 calls on legislative action that treats childcare as critical economic infrastructure in this SC Daily Gazette op-ed. -
People with lived experience have a story to tell, nonprofits should listen
Gabrielle Harvey ’27 advocates for all nonprofits to adopt policies that incorporate clients into core decision making in this Greenville News article.