Catherine Wiggins joined the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management in October 2025 as vice dean for external affairs. A relationship-driven advancement leader, she brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and institutional reputation management. Wiggins previously served in the University of South Carolina’s Division of Development and Office of the President, where she held leadership roles in principal gifts and presidential engagement. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, teaching courses on live entertainment management.
What makes me an effective leader is my ability to combine strong soft skills with a people-first approach. I prioritize clear communication, active listening, and empathy, which helps me understand my team’s needs and perspectives. By building genuine relationships, I create trust and encourage collaboration, allowing individuals to feel valued and motivated in their roles.
I also believe in leading by example. I hold myself to the same standards I expect from others — whether that’s accountability, work ethic, or maintaining a positive attitude under pressure. When my team sees consistency and integrity in my actions, it sets the tone for a culture of responsibility and mutual respect.
Equally important is my commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment. I strive to make the workplace one where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and even making mistakes without fear of judgment. This kind of psychological safety fosters innovation, confidence, and growth, ultimately helping both individuals and the team succeed.
I am still working on delegation. I have a team of people that are ready to help me — sometimes I just need to ask?!
One thing I’ve learned that has served me well over the years is the importance of effective follow-through paired with thoughtfulness. It’s not enough to set goals or make plans — consistently seeing things through to completion, while being intentional about how and when you follow up, is what truly builds trust and drives results. Approaching follow-through with thoughtfulness means considering others’ time, perspectives, and needs, and communicating in a way that is respectful and clear.
Following up on commitments, checking in on progress, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks demonstrates reliability and accountability. When done thoughtfully, it also strengthens relationships and fosters collaboration. Over time, this combination has helped me earn credibility and maintain a high standard of performance in everything I do.
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