Three-year commitment expands educational opportunities, career readiness and leadership development for students across South Carolina.
SouthState Bank has made a three-year commitment to the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business to expand educational opportunities and help prepare students across South Carolina for future academic and professional success.
The annual support will benefit student access, academic enrichment, career readiness and student success pipeline programs administered through the Moore School’s Office of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement. The commitment will support programs including Power Forward, Rising Scholars and Moore Launch Pad, as well as other initiatives that connect middle school, high school and college students with educational and career-development opportunities.
“At SouthState, we believe strong communities start with opportunity. The Moore School is helping students across South Carolina build skills, confidence and connections that can shape their futures. We're proud to support programs that open doors for the next generation of leaders and help move our state forward,” says Montague Laffitte, Division President of SouthState Bank.
Through mentorship, campus visits, academic enrichment, leadership development, networking and industry exposure, participating students gain opportunities to learn from Moore School faculty, current college students, alumni and business professionals. The programs are designed to help students strengthen their academic and professional skills while gaining a clearer understanding of the pathways available to them in higher education and the workforce.
SouthState Bank’s support will help offset costs associated with delivering these experiences, including educational materials, transportation, meals, student engagement activities and experiential learning opportunities. By reducing these costs, the partnership can help remove barriers that may otherwise prevent students from participating in educational and career-focused programming.
This commitment allows the Moore School to continue creating meaningful experiences that help students see what is possible for their futures and develop the skills and confidence to pursue those opportunities.
Programs supported through the partnership reach students at different stages of their educational journeys. Rising Scholars introduces younger students to academic and professional opportunities, while programs such as Power Forward and Moore Launch Pad provide additional opportunities for students to build leadership skills, explore careers and develop connections that can support their long-term success.
“SouthState's commitment to early career development starts with a simple belief: potential should never be limited by access. By supporting programs that connect students with mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment and real-world career exploration, we're helping create pathways to opportunity for students across South Carolina. This partnership reflects our long-term commitment to developing future talent and strengthening local communities,” says LeDon Jones, Director of Corporate Stewardship at SouthState Bank.
For SouthState Bank and the Moore School, the partnership also represents an investment in the future of South Carolina. By helping students develop academic, leadership and career-readiness skills, the programs contribute to a pipeline of future professionals prepared to serve businesses and communities throughout the state.
The three-year commitment builds on a shared goal of expanding access to educational and professional opportunities while preparing the next generation of leaders to contribute to South Carolina’s communities and economy.
About SouthState
SouthState Bank Corporation (NYSE: SSB) is a financial services company headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida. SouthState Bank, N.A., the company’s nationally chartered bank subsidiary, provides consumer, commercial, mortgage and wealth management solutions to more than 1.5 million customers throughout Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, Virginia and Tennessee. The bank also serves clients nationwide through its correspondent banking division. Additional information is available at SouthStateBank.com.