College of Charleston Breaks Ground on Student Success Center

^{Above (l–r): Kelly Leyva, Kimberly Tuccio, Edward Tuccio, Andrew Hsu and Alicia Caudill (Photos by Catie Cleveland)}

After sitting vacant for nearly a decade, the Barnard Elliott House (58 George St.) is now getting ready for its new role on the College of Charleston campus. On Nov. 15, 2024, hard hats were donned and shovels were raised to break ground on the three-story historic structure.

Built in 1803 by planter Barnard Elliott, the house has been used as a home, apartment building and communications museum. Now, through a generous philanthropic gift by Edward Tuccio ’91 and his wife Kimberly, it is being reimagined and renovated into the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center.

Located in the heart of campus, the building will house the Career Center and Financial Wellness Initiative and will serve as the go-to resource for internships, jobs, graduate school guidance and one-on-one counseling to discuss career development and visions for the future. Throughout the year, workshops and presentations will be held on everything from personal and professional development to financial planning.

RELATED: Learn more about the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center renovation.

“This has been a long time coming,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu. “I am so grateful to see the building transformed into something truly extraordinary for our students.”

Alicia Caudill, executive vice president for student affairs, adds: “We are so grateful to partner with donors to create this amazing facility for our students. Putting the center in a visible space in the heart of campus will enhance the student experience.”

At the groundbreaking, students like Kelly Leyva, a first-generation student double-majoring in Hispanic studies and public health, shared how the Career Center serves as a home for students finding their way. Her participation in the Career Center Internship Award, a yearlong program that assists students with professional development and helps to eliminate financial barriers, was life-changing: Through the Career Center’s support, Leyva landed an internship with the Henry Ford Health System Initiative through the University of Michigan Future Public Health Leaders Program, which aims to increase the diversity of the public health care workforce.

Leyva’s experience personifies why the Tuccio family stepped forward to help in the creation of the student success center. They envision the new center impacting even more students at the College of Charleston.

“It has always been a dream of mine to establish the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center at the College of Charleston – a modern, state-of-the-art facility with Southern charm, designed to support the next generation of students as they navigate their academic and career paths,” says Edward Tuccio, a current member of the College of Charleston Foundation Board. “My time at the College profoundly shaped my life, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities it gave me. This center is my way of giving back, ensuring that today’s students have the resources, mentorship and guidance they need to succeed in today’s competitive workforce.”

Tuccio emphasized that the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center is designed to empower students, equipping them with the tools and support required for success beyond their college years. The center will help students not only excel academically, but also develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in their careers. The groundbreaking, which took place on Tuccio’s birthday, added even more personal significance to the occasion, marking a pivotal moment in his commitment to the College’s future.

The College owes a debt of gratitude to the Tuccio family for providing the funds to resurrect the historic building. The central location and welcoming environment of the reimagined facility will enhance the student experience as well as that of corporate representatives visiting campus.