Coaches

Program Coaches

Mark Brown | Faculty Adviser

Mark Brown is the Associate Director of Pre-Professional Advising and a pre-law adviser at the University of South Carolina. He also teaches undergraduate courses each semester in criminal justice and criminology. Before going into education, Mr. Brown worked as a criminal defense attorney.

Theresa Clement | Attorney Coach

Theresa Clement is a senior instructor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, she previously worked as an attorney and magistrate, and specializes in criminal procedure.

Jonathan Edwards | Speech Coach

Jonathan J. Edwards is Director of the Speech, Communication and Rhetoric Program at the University of South Carolina. Over the past fifteen years, Dr. Edwards has served as a teacher and communication consultant in both academic and professional settings. Since coming to USC in 2010, he has taught courses in public speaking, argumentation, rhetorical theory, and business communication for the Department of English and the South Carolina Honors College. Since 2013, he has led a popular series of workshops for students in the USC Graduate School and Presidential Fellowship program. These workshops teach graduate students how to talk about their research to non-specialist audiences. He also lectures on marketing pitches and professional communication and consults with entrepreneurs on the most effective ways to present their ideas to potential investors.

Dr. Edwards earned his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. A published authority on religious movements and political communication, his research has been cited in a number of books, periodicals, and professional journals. He currently divides his time between teaching, consulting, and conducting research for his second book.

Amanda Stearns | Program Mentor

Amanda Stearns works at the Hoffman Law Firm in Charleston, SC. Previously serving as our head coach, she now acts in the capacity of a mentor and tournament adviser for the program remotely from Charleston.

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