Ira Pace

I graduated from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2013 as a first-generation college student, proud of what I had accomplished and deeply grateful for the opportunities the university had given me.

As the first in my family to navigate higher education, I learned early on how important mentorship, access, and strong institutional support are to student success. USC Upstate not only provided me with a quality education, but also helped me develop the confidence, leadership skills, and sense of purpose that continue to guide my career.

During my time as a student, I was encouraged to get involved, build relationships with faculty and staff, and take ownership of my academic and professional growth. Those experiences prepared me to work in complex, people-centered environments and showed me firsthand the impact that dedicated educators and administrators can have on students’ lives.

Because of my own journey, I knew I wanted to pursue a career where I could help others—especially first-generation students—navigate college with clarity and confidence.

In 2014, I began my professional journey at USC Upstate as a freshman admissions counselor. This role allowed me to work directly with prospective students and families, many of whom shared similar backgrounds to my own.

Guiding them through the admissions process felt personal and meaningful. I gained valuable experience in recruitment, communication, and enrollment strategy, while learning how thoughtful outreach and student-centered practices can shape institutional success.

In 2016, I broadened my perspective by joining Spartanburg Community College as a recruiter. Working at a two-year institution deepened my understanding of access, affordability, and transfer pathways. I focused on outreach and partnership development, strengthening pipelines between SCC and four-year institutions. This experience reinforced my commitment to creating seamless transitions for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees.

I was never content with being away from USC Upstate, so I returned in 2017 as assistant director of transfer admission, where I began taking on greater leadership responsibilities. In this role, I strengthened partnerships with technical colleges across South Carolina and helped rebuild the Upstate Direct Connect bridge program.

Through improved communication strategies, targeted recruitment efforts, and streamlined processes, I helped increase transfer applications and establish sustainable enrollment pipelines. I also developed compliance systems with the South Carolina Transfer Articulation Center and implemented new academic review and enrollment policies. Over time, these efforts positioned USC Upstate as a leader in transfer services, with transfer students eventually comprising nearly half of the incoming class.

In 2018, I married my wife and 2013 Upstate alumna, Alissa Fiorillo Pace. We have one son, Luca, 7; two cats, Daisy and Cleo; and new puppy, Tella. I am forever grateful that some of my on-campus roles as a student ambassador, orientation leader, and staff member on The Carolinian allowed Alissa and I to stay in touch even after graduation.

Alongside my institutional work, I remained actively engaged in the broader admissions profession through CACRAO. From 2014 to 2018, I served as a week coordinator, helping plan and deliver professional development programming. I later served as planning committee co-chair from 2016 to 2017, and I currently serve as ethics committee co-chair.

I serve on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Residency Advisory Committee, and I am leader in the state for transfer student support initiatives. These leadership roles have allowed me to contribute to statewide conversations about access, integrity, and best practices in admissions while strengthening my own leadership and collaborative skills.

While advancing professionally, I also remained committed to my own education. In 2022, I earned my Master of Business Administration. The MBA strengthened my skills in leadership, data analysis, and strategic planning, enabling me to contribute more effectively to institutional decision-making and long-term planning.

In February 2023, I was honored to be promoted to director of undergraduate recruitment at USC Upstate. In this role, I lead a team of dedicated admissions and recruitment professionals and oversee comprehensive enrollment strategies for all student populations. I also serve as chief residency officer, overseeing in-state tuition decisions and appeals to ensure fairness and compliance.

Looking back, I can clearly see how my experience at USC Upstate prepared me for this journey. As a first-generation student, I found mentors who believed in me, opportunities that pushed me forward, and a campus community that helped me discover my potential. That foundation continues to shape how I lead, how I serve, and how I advocate for students.

Professionally and personally, I am fully aware of the impact that USC Upstate has had on my life. I owe so much of who I am today to mentors like Donette Stewart, Tara Bradley, and Jennifer Easler. People who took time to help me grow as a person when I began as a student employee and have been there to help me to where I am now.

Since graduating in 2013, my path has been guided by dedication to higher education, continuous learning, and service. From student to counselor to director, I have been fortunate to build a career rooted in collaboration, integrity, and a passion for expanding educational opportunity. USC Upstate launched my professional journey, and I am proud to continue giving back to the institution and community that helped make it possible.