Earleen Michels joined the South Carolina athletics department in July 2003. She is the academic counselor for volleyball, women's basketball and equestrian, and performs other C.A.R.E.S. (Carolina Academic Resources & Enrichment Services) duties assigned to the academic counseling staff.

Prior to South Carolina, Michels taught for 10 years in the Midlands/Greater Columbia area and worked in the state office of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a non-profit organization interfacing with South Carolina public and private middle schools, high schools and colleges. She also worked overseas one year with KMAG, the Military Advisory Group to the Korean Army. In Skaneateles, N. Y., Michels worked as an EMT with the all-volunteer ambulance team, SAVES.

The Indiana native graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. After two years of field experience, Michels returned to Purdue and received a Master of Science in education. Michels has a daughter, Christina, and a son, Doran.