Peer Leader Spotlight
The Peer Leader Spotlight recognition is awarded monthly to students whom exhibit outstanding commitment to their respected peer leadership group and service to the University of South Carolina overall community. The nomination is due by the last day of each month.
Please send it to the address or email below. Feel free to call the Office of Student Engagement at 803.777.0081 with any questions.
April Spotlight Recipients
Marie Morrissette
Marie Morrissette is a junior exercise science major from Cary, NC. She is a Magellan Ambassador and had truly enjoyed sharing with students the educational and fun experience of research. Marie's own research is on an epidemiological study comparing injuries in different youth football leagues. She took a research initiatives class and has loved it ever since. Being a Magellan Ambassador has developed her communication skills and built confidence in her research. Marie is looking forward to being a Magellan Ambassador again next year.
March Spotlight Recipients
Eleasa Van Slooten
Eleasa Van Slooten is a senior public health major from Greenville, SC. She is interested in global health and plans to pursue work to make improvements in the healthcare field. With the Office of Undergraduate Research, she researched health literacy in adults and the perceptions developed through mass media. Her positive experience led her to become a Magellan Ambassador, sharing with other students about unique research opportunities and how it is a way to distinguish yourself differently. She is a role model for other students through her gift, passion, want and ability to effect change wherever she is. Eleasa's future plans include applying for PA school.
Holly Sealey
Holly Sealey is a sophomore visual communications major with a Public Health minor from Richmond, VA. She saw a flyer for Changing Carolina Peer Leader freshman year and applied. She took the HPEB 301 with her fellow Changing Carolina Peer Leaders and presented to many U101 courses. This developed her public speaking skills as she shared with students' wellness opportunities around campus. During My Carolina Beautiful Week, she donated 11 inches of her hair to Beautiful Lengths. Upcoming event she's currently working on is the Changing Carolina 5K on April 27th and De-stress Fest during finals week in May!
Emma Swanson
Emma Swanson is a junior public relations major from Pittstown, NJ. She joined Changing Carolina as a freshman and has been an active participant since. She learned about the peer leader position through a U101 course freshman year, and now truly enjoys being able to pay it forward and present to the first-year class. She has developed her leadership style along the way, learning how to cooperate with a group and speaking confidently amongst her peers. Currently, she is the General Wellness Co-Chair, but has been elected for Vice President of Changing Carolina next year.
Earnest Saylor
Earnest Saylor is a senior from Aiken, SC, double majoring in finance and risk management. He is a very driven University Ambassador, and loves every opportunity to represent the University. As an Ambassador, he has developed the ability to think of his feet, as students and parents arrive to campus with very different questions and backgrounds. He strives to be a lifelong learner, not only because the Carolina community is constantly changing, but because he loves new experiences. He is excited to continue his love of learning, as he will be working with Northwestern Mutual after graduation.
Casey Brooks
Casey Brooks is a sophomore from Hilton Head, double majoring in psychology and international studies. She learned about the opportunity to become an EcoRep over the summer, and after spending the summer in Colorado was interested in learning to live a more sustainable life. Casey is an EcoRep in Bates House, and her focus is on integrating composting into the residence halls. She has also worked closely with No Impact Man in the Fall, which encouraged students to eliminate the amount of waste they produce. Since becoming an EcoRep, she has learned about how easy a sustainable life can be and continues to encourage other Carolina students to do the same.
February Spotlight Recipients
Margaret Kramer
Margaret Kramer is sophomore Business Management & Marketing major with a minor in Public Health from Summerville, SC. She was selected to become a Changing Carolina Peer leader in Spring of 2012 as the Mental Health chair. She helps mentor other peer leaders and coordinate events on campus to bring awareness to mental health. Her favorite experience thus far has been Carolina Beautiful Week, where she also organized the Me, Myself and My Body forum discussing participant's relationships with food, physical activity and their body. She also values the connections she made with students throughout the week. Her goal as a peer leader is to continually integrate campus wellness into the USC community while decreasing the mental health stigma.
January Spotlight Recipients
Claire Maeda
Claire Maeda is a sophomore from Tokyo, Japan, studying business with a minor in Japanese. When she was a freshman adjusting to the USC and the American culture, the Capstone Scholar Program helped her transition and feel at home. As an ambassador, she learned about the resources available to students on campus and became more involved with the university, which made her more confident in the college setting and serve as a better leader. Claire is currently planning an event called Second Semester Blues, focusing on proactive tips to combat the blues and other initiatives to help with student's mental health. She most importantly wants to provide a welcoming transition experience for new students by always keeping their needs in mind!
Rachel Denmark
Rachel Denmark is a junior criminal justice major with a minor is Spanish. She became a Changing Carolina Peer Leader through her passion for helping victims of sexual violence. Rachel leads the Interpersonal Violence Committee and is currently finishing her training as a sexual trauma victim's advocate. Changing Carolina also provided her with many opportunities throughout the year to improve her presentation skills, which she specifically wanted to continue developing. She completed the HPEB 301 course in the spring of 2012, and since then has had a positive experience networking with peers and advisors. She continues to be an essential part of the Changing Carolina team, organizing campus wide events for the semester!