Faculty Club awards five $2K scholarships to health sciences students

The Augusta University Faculty Club, which offers all faculty an opportunity to meet socially off-campus to become better acquainted and to participate in entertainment, educational programs and service projects that help the university and community, has selected one student from each of the five health sciences schools to receive a $2,000 scholarship to promote student success.

The AUFC Scholarship Committee for this year included:

• Gregg Murray, PhD, Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences,
• Jeane Silva, PhD, College of Allied Health Sciences,
• Mark Vranicar, MD, Medical College of Georgia,
• Veena Pannu, DDS, Dental College of Georgia,
• Emily Harris, University Libraries,
• Rhucha Samudra, PhD, Pamplin College,
• Susan Murray, PhD, James M. Hull College of Business

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the committee was chaired by Josette Kubicki, previously with the University Libraries.

The recipients are as follows:

Vivianna Chang, College of Allied Health Sciences

Vivianna Chang is a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the College of Allied Health Sciences.

“It is an honor to be selected for the AUFC scholarship,” Chang said. “I cannot express how appreciative I am. I know this scholarship will assist me in the future as I continue my growth in the physical therapy profession. I just finished my last semester of didactic and will be starting my full clinical rotations in the Fall of 2024, where I will be serving a wide variety of populations in different settings across the state of Georgia.”

Chang plans to use the scholarship funds to help cover the costs of travel throughout the state as she gains more experience in the different clinics.

“I am excited to apply the skills I have acquired from didactic and have gained from my professors to my future patients,” she added. “My goal for the next 32 weeks of my clinical experience is to challenge myself to become the best student physical therapist by expanding my knowledge of the health care field both independently and in the clinic, improving my clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills and gaining communication skills by having a role in an interprofessional team. This scholarship will greatly assist me in obtaining my goals as I will be traveling throughout the state to gain more knowledge and experience in different clinics while providing for patients.”

Shanerial Higgenbottom, College of Nursing

Shanerial Higgenbottom is a third-year undergraduate nursing student in the College of Nursing.

“Receiving this scholarship would significantly impact my education and future career aspirations,” Higgenbottom said. “It would provide me with the financial support necessary to focus more on my studies and less on the burden of tuition fees. I aim to become a pediatric travel nurse where I can make a meaningful contribution to children and the healthcare field. By alleviating some of the financial pressures, this scholarship will allow me to dedicate more time to academic and professional development opportunities, such as externships and extracurricular activities that will enhance my skills and experience in my chosen field.”

She volunteers at the Golden Harvest Food Bank, Laney Walker Museum, and various other on-campus events. She is also the secretary of IMPACT, member of SHE Blossoms, Black Student Union, NAPturally Crowned, and Vice-President of the Mu Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Evan Boland, Dental College of Georgia

Evan Boland, a graduate student in the Dental College of Georgia, pursuing her Doctor of Dental Medicine, plans to use this scholarship toward the successful completion of her dental education.

“This scholarship will assist in covering my daily expenses and enable me to continue my volunteer work, both locally and internationally,” Boland said.

Committed to volunteering within the Dental College, she serves on the Student Admissions committee, manages finances as treasurer of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, leads as president of the Pediatric Club and organizes events as her class’s lab coordinator and social chair.

Beyond campus, Boland volunteers with the Special Olympics, the biannual Ronald McDonald House Dinners and the monthly Pediatric Screening clinics and has completed two extensive nine-day mission trips to Nicaragua.

“Looking ahead, I aspire to open my own dental practice,” she said. “The funds from this scholarship will facilitate my search for employment post-graduation and assist in finding a mentor to guide me in successfully managing a practice.”

Austin Kohler, The Graduate School

Austin Kohler, a PhD student in The Graduate School, has worked an average of three jobs to pay for tuition while also volunteering with the Columbia County Fire Rescue.

“This support has been a significant turning point in my academic career, as I have been dedicated to my studies at Augusta University for my third degree,” Kohler said. “I am truly grateful for recognizing my research, teaching, community service and academic success at this institution. This scholarship will aid in my ability to continue my career here at AU without having to maintain multiple jobs to pay for my tuition.”

He serves as a volunteer tactical strength coach for Columbia County Fire Rescue, publishes research and recently became a full-time faculty member at AU.

“I have supported AU’s mission within teaching as I have earned teaching certificates from AU and continued my academic journey to improve as an instructor, gained an award from leadership within my PhD cohort and reflected collegiality working on multiple interprofessional teams and assisting the community through my work with the fire department,” he said.  

Katlyn Smaha, Medical College of Georgia

Katlyn Smaha is a fourth-year medical student in AU’s Medical College of Georgia.

“During my fourth year of medical school, I will be applying for dermatology residency,” Smaha said. “As a painter, part of the reason why I have chosen to pursue a career in dermatology lies in its emphasis on the visual diagnosis, requiring an eye for detail while examining patients or viewing a histology slide. My hope is that my artistic foundation will not only serve as an outlet of expression but also enrich my approach to patient care.”

As part of the application process, she will be traveling to different schools across the country to participate in one-month rotations.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for this scholarship, as it will help cover the costs associated with these rotations and application fees,” she said. “I do not receive financial aid from my parents, as my father recently passed away and my mother now faces paying for all expenses with her single income. Therefore, this scholarship is greatly appreciated by my family, as well.”

The AUFC Scholarship Fund was originally established in 1977. Since 1980, the AUFC has awarded more than 200 scholarships to outstanding students.

There are currently efforts underway to secure funding to endow scholarships for the Summerville Campus students, as well. Donations can be made to either scholarship fund through the Faculty Club’s website or the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement site.