School of Education

Julianna “Jules” Gray and Ava Shahbahrami not only shared the decision to attend the same university, but also crossed the stage together with all smiles after graduating from the USCA LIFE program on May 6.   Gray and Shahbahrami, both from Lexington, SC, have Down syndrome and made local and national headlines after enrolling in the program in fall 2024.  Since arriving on campus, the pair have built lasting friendships, grown in independence, and embraced every opportunity that college life had to offer. From attending sporting events and dances to working jobs, the two quickly became familiar faces throughout the USCA community.  “I think I will miss the dynamic between the two of them the most. They encouraged and supported each other in everything that they did,” said Falcone Dunlap, coordinator and teacher for USCA LIFE.   Dunlap said one of the biggest areas of growth she noticed in both students was in their communication skills, which helped strengthen their confidence and ability to advocate for themselves.  “The growth in these skills have increased their ability to be self-advocates and I could not be prouder.” she said.  For Shahbahrami’s mother, Patricia Gates, watching her daughter grow throughout the program has been emotional and rewarding.  “I am completely overwhelmed with pride for Ava’s growth,” Gates said. “Ava’s confidence in her ability to do things has grown tremendously. She loves to say, ‘I got it! I’m an adult.’”  Programs like USCA LIFE, she explained, have given their family reassurance and confidence in Ava’s future.  “We knew she could do all these things, but being in a setting where she had to prove it and then finish with a credential means the world to us,” she said.  Following graduation, Ava has already accepted a new position at Joy in the Journey, a speech and occupational therapy office in Lexington, South Carolina, where she will serve as the office’s joy coordinator. Beginning June 2, she will help therapists prepare rooms, welcome new clients, and assist in the waiting room.  While stepping into the workforce, Ava is also looking ahead to even bigger goals.  “She would like to live on her own or with roommates in an apartment,” her mother said. “She still wants to be like any other college graduate and 23-year-old and start living without her parents.”  Jules’ mother, Toni Gray, has also seen tremendous personal growth during her daughter’s time in the program.  “The changes we’ve noticed are an increase in her day-to-day independence and a definite growth in her level of maturity,” Gray said.  Although Ava will not be returning to campus in the fall, Jules plans to continue in the USCA LIFE Leadership & Civic Engagement (LCE) program as a third-year student and is already looking forward to the upcoming school year.   “She’s extremely excited about being a third-year student,” Gray said. “She’s looking forward to moving into a new dorm and finding out who her roommates will be.”  Their friendship, however, is far from ending. Gates and Gray say their daughters will still make plans to catch up over the summer.   “Her friendship with Ava is an unbreakable bond,” Gray said. “They talk, text, and/or FaceTime every day, but they are not inseparable. They both have many other friends and activities without each other. Jules will miss her when she returns in the fall because Ava has decided not to return. I’m sure they will still call each other at 8 p.m. every night to say goodnight.”  During her time at USCA, Jules especially embraced the social side of college life while also gaining valuable work experience through a job at ACE Hardware.  “Jules truly enjoyed the social aspects of college the most,” Gray said. “She was always planning her next activity such as sporting events, dances, karaoke, or just spending time with the other students in the dorm lobby.”  “She worked three days a week cleaning, organizing, and helping customers,” Gray added. “She’s excited to find out what new job she’ll get when she returns.”  As the two best friends celebrate this milestone together, their families say the USCA LIFE program has helped provide opportunities, confidence and independence that will continue shaping their futures long after graduation. 

Hundreds of graduates officially became alumni after the University of South Carolina Aiken held its annual spring commencement ceremony on May 6.  “To the Class of 2026, this is your moment, and it’s one you’ve truly earned. Some of you will step into new careers, taking everything you’ve learned into communities near and far,” said Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor of USCA. “Each of you came to USCA with your own story, strengths, and goals. Along the way, you’ve grown through long nights, challenging classes, and the encouragement of faculty who believed in you.”  The ceremony featured several notable moments, including the commissioning of graduating seniors Elenora Gazzelli, Sairielys Hernandez-Cruz, Irvon T. Malcolm, Tyrell D. Robinson and Ali Samaha into the United States Army. According to Robert Murphy, director of military affairs and external studies at USCA, this is the largest commissioning of students in the school's history.   Another highlight included the awarding of an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Dr. Elizabeth Stewart, president of the Aiken Partnership Board. Stewart is chair emerita of Stewart and Associates, a national management training and survey consulting firm celebrating 40 years. She holds undergraduate degrees in French, Spanish and education, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and economics and a law degree, all from the University of Florida.  During her remarks, Stewart shared that she had been a competitive surfer for nearly 60 years and offered graduates three life lessons she learned from surfing. “First, know that the first wave you ride will probably not end up being the last wave. Second, most really good surfers become good surfers because they find better surfers to learn from. And third, success is not how many trophies you have won or how much you have.”  The university also recognized Ainhoa Colino as its May Outstanding Senior Student. Originally from Spain, Colino graduated with a 4.0 GPA and degrees in psychology and exercise and sports science. During her time at USCA, she presented at four research conferences, earned recognition as a Magellan Scholar, and became a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.  Beyond the classroom, Colino was a member of the cross-country team and an All-American race walker, served as a resident mentor in student housing, and worked as a global ambassador for the university’s International Program. She is also fluent in five languages.  Colino delivered remarks during the rehearsal session prior to commencement. “USCA has given me friendships and memories I will carry with me forever, and I will never be grateful enough for them,” Colino said. “This university has seen me grow not only as a student, but as a person, and it is because of those experiences and opportunities that I am standing here today.”  Other noteworthy moments included USCA LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) celebrating the graduation of its second cohort of students with intellectual disabilities. Among the graduates were best friends Julianna Gray and Ava Shahabhrami, who gained national attention after enrolling in the program together in fall 2024.  Gray said she plans to return to USCA LIFE’s Leadership & Civic Engagement program, an extension of the USCA LIFE initiative. Shahabhrami said she will work at the Lantern Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina, while also serving as a coordinator at Joy in the Journey Pediatric and Speech Therapy Services. In both roles, she will help prepare rooms and welcome clients.   Local media outlets also covered USCA’s commencement ceremony:  USCA celebrates May commencement - FOX54 News Now  USCA celebrates spring commencement with more than 400 graduates - WRDW News 12  ‘Give your best from the very beginning’: USCA’s newest grads are ready to take on the world  - Aiken Standard  USCA graduates celebrate 2026 commencement - Augusta Chronicle 

Generac is supporting the expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming at USCA’s Ruth Patrick Science Education Center through a $23,500 contribution. The funding will help grow educational programs and sponsorship opportunities throughout the year while furthering the center’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.  The power systems company presented the donation during a check presentation with Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor of USCA, and Dr. Phil Bridgemon, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.   The new funding will enhance several key initiatives, including the Science Education Enrichment Day (SEED) STEM Festival, the Full STEAM Ahead summer camp and student program sponsorships for both the physical science and mathematics content series.  “The RPSEC has a foundation built on partnerships and relationships with organizations like Generac,” said Senn. “Without the support of these partnerships, we would be unable to inspire a love for STEM throughout our community, and the RPSEC would not be the STEM education leader it is today.”  According to Kelly Skindzelewski, community programs manager for Generac, the partnership between the company and the center began shortly after Generac opened its facility in Trenton, South Carolina, in 2021.  “When Generac first opened our facility in Trenton, we began searching for local STEM programs we could engage with and discovered the nearby Ruth Patrick Science Education Center,” Skindzelewski said. “The center offers a variety of programs that align with our interests and continue to provide meaningful ways to engage with local schools and the community.”  Skindzelewski said Generac and the Generac Foundation view education and innovation as critical drivers of economic growth and career development.  “Giving back to the community where our employees live and work is an important part of Generac’s culture,” she said. “The RPSEC provides unique opportunities for us to support educational programs that help prepare young people for future careers.”  She added that Generac sees opportunities for continued collaboration with RPSEC in areas ranging from science and cybersecurity to business administration and electrical engineering.  “Middle and high school students are looking for hands-on experiences that help guide their future career paths,” Skindzelewski said. “We’re excited to continue supporting programs that introduce students to those possibilities.”  Skindzelewski added that supporting STEM education is critical to developing future leaders who will solve problems and drive innovation. By investing in youth STEM programs at the Ruth Patrick Science Eduation Center, the company hopes to spark curiosity and create meaningful “light bulb moments” that inspire students to explore future careers in STEM.  

USCA celebrated students’ research during the 18th annual Scholar Showcase in April to kick off weeks of focus on student achievement just prior to commencement.  This year’s Scholar Showcase featured the research of approximately 100 students and 40 faculty. The day-long event highlighted the collaboration between students and faculty from all disciplines.  “The importance of scholarly activity, including undergraduate research, cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Bill Jackson, chair of the Department of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences and organizer of the event.   “Faculty-mentored research is an immersive experience in which a student focuses on a problem and uses the knowledge obtained in the classroom to problem solve, think creatively and critically, and better understand the nuances of their chosen field of study.”  He adds that the benefits of the collaboration are enduring, far beyond the publication of the research in academic journals.  “Student-faculty interactions are powerful and often create a lifelong connection to the university, the department, and most importantly, to the faculty member,” Jackson said.  Much of the students’ research efforts were funded through grants, such as the Magellan Scholars Program, National Institutes of Health’s INBRE program and numerous scholarships made possible by generous supporters of USCA. Others are supported by regional partners, which may include government agencies or private industries. Specifically, UCSA’s engineering capstone projects are industry sponsored, yearlong design projects. “Each project has an industry mentor that works directly with our student team. These mentors provide current projects from their respective companies with problem statements, constraints, and design goals,” said Dr. Bethany Fralick, engineering program coordinator.   “The students interact weekly and are often on site at the local industries. The mentor provides guidance and advice for the projects through real-life, professional experience. Without the industry-sponsored capstone projects, our students would not have as much professional exposure prior to graduation. The interactions with industry mentors give our students an advantage in the job market post-graduation.”  Students who participate in Scholar Showcase gain more than just experiences to highlight on a resume. They also learn soft skills, which will benefit them in the professional setting. These include teamwork, oral and written communication, working against deadlines and with prescribed parameters, translating complicated concepts, and presentation organization and delivery.   “These are benefits that cannot be obtained by sitting in a classroom,” Jackson said.  “Scholar Showcase is a low-stress environment within which our students can learn how to generate an impactful presentation.”  Caroline Wright, a history major, has conducted research related to the Graniteville Company, which shaped the economic growth in the university’s backyard and across the state. She explored labor relations and is currently transcribing the personal diaries and almanacs of William Gregg for the Gregg-Graniteville Archives. She made a couple of presentations during Scholar Showcase.  Some of the presenters are taking their research on the road. For example, Alexa Carnahan, a nursing student who graduated May 6, will present her research at the 37th International Nursing Research Congress for Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society this summer in Toronto. She and her co-authors collaborated with a professor in Germany when exploring people-pleasing tendencies among nursing students.  Several USCA students participated in the 10th annual Discover USC event, which celebrates and showcases students’ research, scholarship, creativity and leadership from across the USC system. More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate, medical scholar and postdoc presenters shared their projects. Almost 30 USCA students participated in Discover USC.   As the semester winds down, students and faculty are already gearing up for the next phase of their research, as Magellan Scholar awards were recently announced. This program allows for up to $2,500 per recipient for salary, materials or travel for projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. While many students will take a much-deserved break the next couple of months, several Pacers will continue conducting research. The USCA Center for Research Excellence recently announced members of the 2026 Summer Scholars Institute. As part of the program, students and their faculty advisors receive a $3,000 grant to support their research collaboration from May 25-July 31. The effort is funded by grants from the Department of Energy WORC program, National Institutes of Health INBRE awards, ADP and the USCA College of Sciences and Engineering.  “Undergraduate research projects are typically smaller portions of a faculty member’s overall research plan,” Jackson said.  “Our students are co-authors on faculty published research. This includes research publications and conference presentations.”  Pacers who earned special recognition at Discover USC    First Place, “Developing mPing-based Constructs for Transposase Assisted Target Site Integration”   Madison Hamlin, biology, mentored by Dr. C. Nathan Hancock   First Place, “The Trophic Stage of Egg Development in Livestock Pests”   Isabella Cardenas, biology, mentored by Dr. Mary Mills   First Place, “The Association Between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment, Identity Disturbance and Sexual Functioning in Emerging Adults”   Sam Keats, psychology, mentored by Dr. Bridget Cho   First Place, “Moments that Matter: A Student Nurse Approach to Communication with Patients Living with Dementia”   Ja'Daiza Johnson and Laura Boquist, nursing, mentored by Dr. Lachean Kimbrough and Professor Sarah McDaniel from USC Sumter   Second Place, “A closer look into egg development within Culicoides sonorensis midges”   Lucero Rodriguez, biology, mentored by Dr. Mary Mills   Second Place, “Bluetooth Low Energy Communication Security in Wearable IoT Devices: A Fitbit Sense 2 Case Study”   Andrew Bishop and Adriel Sosa, applied computer science, mentored by Dr. Hala Strohmier   Second Place, “Regulation of egg development in the livestock”   Madelyn Smith, mentored by Dr. Mary Mills   Second Place, “Genetic Analysis of the ‘Dwarf’ Soybean Mutant”   James Burns, biology, mentored Dr. Nathan Hancock   USCA Magellan Scholar Awards for Summer and Fall 2026   Tamea Chappelle and Emma Trotter, mentored by Dr. Dakoda Trithara for “Developers Assemble”    Addisen Alvanos and Sophia Collins, mentored Dr. Todd Hagstette and Deborah Harmon for “William Gregg Digital Edition”    Cassidy Green, mentored by Dr. Adam Pazda for “Examining Causality Between Cultural Mindsets and Help-seeking in Young Adults"     August Beltran, mentored by Dr. Mary Moussa Rogers for “What is Keeping Immigrant Families Resilient?”     Chloe Elizabeth Grigsby, mentored by Dr. Macie Kerbs for “Write to Read: An Encoding-centered Approach for Teaching Students with Dyslexia”    Summer Scholars Institute participants   Daniel Holton, mentored by Dr. Michelle Harmon  Tully Perkins, mentored by Dr. Titan Paul  Silas Martin, mentored by Dr. Bryan Borders  Micah Woodsmall, mentored by Dr. Brian Parr  Kaydee Croom, mentored by Dr. Ken Roberts  Hayley Stack, mentored by Dr. Laura Swain  Harrison Durrant, mentored by Dr. Derek Zelmer  Elisha McCanick, mentored by Dr. Yilian Zhang  Clayton Isgett, mentored by Dr. Derek Zelmer  Alyssa Godfrey, mentored by Dr. Kristina Ramstad  Aharon Nesbitt, mentored by Dr. Teiling Chen  Valerie Ruvalcaba, mentored by Dr. Della Sirizi  Ronit Deepak Sawant, mentored by Dr. Eslam Hasan  Skye Ese Oduaran of North Augusta High School, mentored by Dr. Ken Roberts  Arnav Nikhil Patel of Lakeside High School, mentored by Dr. Ken Roberts  Ian Sarbin of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Neil Miller  Penelope Carr of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Laura Swain  Prisha Bhavsar of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Nathan Hancock   Clark Orton of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Yillian Zhang  Camille Walls of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. April Delaurier  Ella Kanitar of Lexington High School, mentored by Dr. Della Sirizi  Richard Knight of Aiken Scholars Academy, mentored by Dr. Titan Paul   

USCA held its annual Academic Honors Ceremony on May 5 in the Etherredge Center, recognizing students from across the campus for their academic excellence.  “You have excelled in your studies, and we recognize your commitment to excellence,” Dr. Phillip Bridgmon, provost, told the students at the start of the ceremony.  Ainhoa Colino, originally from Spain, was chosen as the Outstanding Senior Student. She speaks five languages and graduated May 6 with a 4.0 GPA and a degree in psychology and exercise and sports science.   “It is an honor to be recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Senior Student,” she said. “USC Aiken has given me friendships and memories I will carry with me forever, and I will never be grateful enough for them. This university has seen me grow not only as a student, but as a person, and it is because of those experiences and opportunities that I am standing here today.  “Thank you again to everyone who has shaped my college experience in any way. I will carry everything this place has given me into whatever comes next.”  Multiple students were recognized by the deans of each college or school and for research conducted with faculty advisors.  “I’m extremely proud of each of you,” said Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor. “The journey does not end here. It’s the beginning.”  “Challenge yourselves, press on and embrace opportunities.”   Magellan Scholars   Emily Walker, “Syntheses and Analyses of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Separation of Water Isotopologues”   Austin Powell, “Is Tobacco Free Really Tobacco Free?”   Skylar Shirey, “Embracing LIFE: Examining the Attitudes about Individuals with Disabilities at a Comprehensive Institution to Promote Learning is For Everyone (LIFE)”   August Beltran, “What is Keeping Immigrant Families Resilient?”  Palmer McCay, “Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project: Wartime Expectations, Realities, and Reflections”   Samantha Keats, “Associations Among Childhood Emotional Maltreatment, Identity Disturbance, and Sexual Functioning”   Cassidy Green, “Examining Causality Between Cultural Mindsets and Help-seeking in Young Adults”  Winifred Branscum, “Examining Decision-Making and P300 Amplitudes in Individuals Exhibiting Successful Life Redirection Following Adverse Childhood Experiences”  Kamya Brooks, “Political Fandoms & Misinformation: Examining the Role of Fan Culture in Political Discourse”  Chloe Elizabeth Grigsby, “Write to Read: An Encoding-centered Approach for Teaching Students with Dyslexia”  William Garlick, “The Biological Carbon Pump in the Gulf of Mexico: Insights from Sediment Trap Fluxes”  Isabella Cardenas and Lucero Rodriguez Lopez, “Teasing apart egg development in Culicoides sonorensis midges.”   Tamea Chappelle and Emma Trotter, “Developers Assemble”  Addisen Alvanos and Laurie Collins, “William Gregg – Digital Edition”   Malia Tatyanna Patten, Allaina Rayne Szilveszter, and Ainhoa Colino, "Measuring mindfulness with electro-physiology: A pain perception study”  Samantha Owen, "Investigating the roles of rcor1 and rcor2 in zebrafish development"   Sanja Becnel, “The relationship between attachment anxiety and zero-sum thinking”     Honors Program Graduates     Emory Owens, biology  Alexa Carnahan, nursing  Andrew Towner, nursing  James Saxon, biology  Emily Walker, chemistry    Library Research Award  Caroline Wright, “The Graniteville Manufacturing Company’s Textile Worker Strike of October 1933”  Alexa Carnahan, “The Need to Please: People-Pleasing Tendencies in Prelicensure Nursing Students”     College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science  Imogen Veal, Mona L. Martin Prize in First-year Writing  Laurie Collins, Phebe Davidson Prize in Creative Writing  Laurie Collins, Virginia Kaplan Writing Award   Kirstie McElmurray, Outstanding Student in English  Kylie Michelle Burns, Ernestine B. Law Communication Student of the Year  Katie Carter, Outstanding Student of the Year in Emerging Media  Angela Grace Hayden, Outstanding Online Palmetto College   Sela Groomes, Albin Beyer Excellence in Art Award  Vivica Birt, Richard S. Maltz Excellence in Music Award  Beth Smith, Jack P. Benjamin Excellence in Theatre Award  Palmer McCay, Outstanding Student in History  Elenora Gazzelli, Outstanding Student in Political Science  Kylie Michelle Burns, Outstanding Student in Sociology     College of Sciences and Engineering  Lauren Strock, Outstanding Student in Biology  William Garlick, Outstanding Student in Geology  Emily Walker, Outstanding Student in Chemistry   Peri Rouillard, Outstanding Student in Physics  Savanna Spires, Outstanding Student in Exercise and Sports Science  Samantha Burns, Outstanding Student in Applied Mathematics  Denton Spivey, Outstanding Student in Applied Computer Science  Chadburn Wells Heath II, Outstanding Student in Cybersecurity  Aidan Clayton, Outstanding Student in Engineering  Sanja Becnel, Outstanding Student in Psychology  Jessica Ann Brannam, Outstanding Graduate Student in Psychology    School of Business Administration  Ian Dumas, Outstanding Student in Accounting  Logan Page, Outstanding Student in Management  Lindsey Greene, Outstanding Student in Marketing  Jenna Couch, Outstanding Student in Finance  Paula Gant, Outstanding MBA Student    School of Education   Skylar Davis, Outstanding Student in Early Childhood Education  Brenne Hoeven, Outstanding Student in Elementary Education  Bailey Davis, Outstanding Student in Middle Level Education   Kayla Cox, Outstanding Student in Secondary Education   Skylar Shirey, Outstanding Student in Special Education   Stephanie Bell, Outstanding Student in the Master of Education in Educator Leadership    School of Nursing  Alexa Carnahan, Outstanding Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student  Philip Joel Harris, Jr., Outstanding RN-BSN Student 

For Kayla Cox, graduating from University of South Carolina Aiken isn’t just the end of a college journey; it’s the culmination of a bold decision to start over and pursue a calling rooted in purpose, resilience, and passion. As a non-traditional student and career changer, Cox is earning her bachelor's degree in secondary education with a concentration in English at 6 p.m. May 6 in the Convocation Center. Before stepping into the classroom, she spent more than 15 years in retail management, holding leadership roles with companies like Books-A-Million, Kmart, and Toys “R” Us. However, after experiencing a personal loss within her family, her path in retail took a turn. “We lost my sister to cancer, and it really makes you think about what you want to do with the rest of your life,” Sandy said. “I knew I would regret it if I didn’t go back and do what I felt called to do.” That calling led her to education, a field that, in many ways, was already a part of her life.  With a mother who is a teacher and parents who met through a teacher preparation program, Cox describes teaching as “in my blood.” Since entering the teaching program at USCA, she has immersed herself fully in the experience. This semester, she has been interning full-time at Aiken High School, teaching English 4 College Prep and dual enrollment English 102 courses. It’s a demanding role; one she stepped into daily since the beginning of this year, but one she has embraced wholeheartedly. Her students, she says, make it all worthwhile. “They’re so passionate and inquisitive. They ask the best questions,” Cox said. “They’ll make you stop and think in ways you never expected.” Cox recalls a classroom discussion on Frankenstein when a student posed a philosophical question. “When we were reading the novel, one student asked if the creature would understand death differently since he had been dead before. I had never thought about it that way. They really make you think, and they give me a lot of hope for the future.” Moments like that, Cox says, reaffirm her decision to teach. Cox’s approach to the classroom reflects both her academic training and her real-world experience. She balances traditional writing instruction with modern, creative assignments, like podcasts and digital book talks, designed to engage different learning styles and give students new ways to express their ideas. “I think it gives students a real chance to show what they know in a way that’s comfortable for them,” she said. Her ability to connect with students and translate skills across careers has not gone unnoticed. Back in March, she was named USCA’s Outstanding Student in Secondary Education, a recognition she will formally receive just days before graduation. Beyond the classroom, Cox has also contributed to campus life as a Writing Center consultant, helping fellow students strengthen their communication skills, which she believes is essential for success in any field. “Being able to advocate for yourself, whether speaking or writing, is so important,” she said. Her résumé reflects a deep commitment not only to teaching, but to the profession as a whole. She is an active member of several organizations, including the National Education Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the International Literacy Association. She has also dedicated time to her community through volunteer work, serving as a PTSO president and coordinating efforts with Friends of the Aiken Shelter. Balancing school, family, and career has not been easy. As a wife and mother to Aidan Cox  a freshman computer science major, who's also attending USCA alongside her, Cox has navigated the challenges of returning to college later in life with determination and support from her family. “There were moments when I was cooking dinner, listening to a book for class, and trying to keep everything going at once,” she said. “But my family has been incredibly supportive through it all.” Looking ahead, Cox hopes to continue teaching in the Aiken area, where she and her family have lived for the past decade. While she awaits word on future opportunities, her focus remains on making a lasting impact in the classroom. Inspired by historical figures such as Prudence Crandall, an American school teacher and activist, Cox carries a strong sense of purpose into her work. “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘These are my convictions. What shall I do with them?’” she said. “I feel like USCA’s School of Education has given me the tools to live out those convictions and help my students build a better world.”