Sociology in Action in the Community
Student Research and Scholarship Day 2023
Third place, Issue-based: "Hunger on Campus: Understanding Student Barriers"
Chawnyce Akinjobi, Valerie Carrillo, Jessica Rodriguez, Raivyn Trapps, Kevin White
First place, Inquiry: "Student Employment and Food Insecurity on Campus"
Jhaelyn Cora, Kailey Fornez, Brianna Thompson, Kristel Sekula, Chandler Kosh
Second place, Social Justice: "Intersectionality of Food Insecurity: A Macro-level
Investigation into Lowcountry Food Banks"
Ally Robertson
Graying of Beaufort County
Seniors in Research Seminar during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 spring semesters collected data on the aging population in our community as part of a “Graying of Beaufort County” project for the Human Services Alliance. Students surveyed 555 adults over the age of 48 on their housing and living arrangements, mental and physical health, social activities, COVID-related isolation and substance use. The 2022 presentation for USCB’s Research and Scholarship Day is posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bizkMMLRiE0
Aging Experiences of Nuns
Sociology major Tamara Pendarvis, Class of 2022, received a SMART award to assist Dr. Summer Roberts with qualitative data analysis on the aging experiences of nuns in a local retirement convent. Fellow Sociology major Jordan Mink, Class of 2022, continued this project, collecting additional interviews on how the nuns navigated COVID with support from the Summer Research Experience (SRE) program.
Second Helpings
During the spring of 2021, students in Applied Sociology worked with local non-profit organization Second Helpings to collect data on food insecurity on USCB's Bluffton campus and develop a plan for food rescue from campus dining services. They also rode along with volunteers on the Second Helpings truck to rescue food from local grocery stores and deliver it to Our Lady’s Pantry in Hardeeville. The food was distributed to neighbors in need.
Leadership Distinction in Community Engagement
Sociology graduates Sa’Lima Lazarus and Rion Duncan earned Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Community Engagement as a result of their extensive research and community service activities.
