Dickie Brunson, chief U.S. probation officer for South Carolina, will speak at the S.C. State Department of Social Sciences Speaker's Forum at 11 a.m. today in the Barbara L. Vaughn Fine Arts Center.

The forum is an initiative to bring distinguished personalities to the university to discuss topical issues.

"We designed this forum to help endow our students with the skill sets necessary for a successful transition from college to the workplace in a time of uncertainty," said Dr. Benedict Jua, interim chair of the department.

Brunson will talk to students about how to prepare for and obtain government jobs (both federal and state) as well as best practices for successful careers in government.

Brunson earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Claflin University. He served as a probation officer with the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services in Sumter and Florence counties and as court liaison between the Sumter County Probation Office and circuit court judges presiding over court in the county.

In December 2001, Brunson became the assistant deputy chief U.S. probation officer in Florence, and in May 2007, Brunson was sworn in as chief U.S. probation officer for the district of South Carolina. The District includes offices in Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston, Beaufort and Florence. Brunson currently serves 13 U.S. district court judges and seven U.S. magistrate court judges.

For more information, call 803-536-8969.

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