All Blog Posts

Kate Harrington, MAP ’26 Hooding Ceremony Speech

New Master in Advocacy and Social Policy graduate Kate Harrington was selected by her classmates to speak on their behalf at the Graduate Studies Hooding Ceremony on May 8, 2026. To follow is Kate’s speech....

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Junie Mertus, MS-CEM ’26 Hooding Ceremony Speech

New Master of Science in Community Engaged Medicine graduate Junie Mertus was selected by her classmates to speak on their behalf at the Graduate Studies Hooding Ceremony on May 8, 2026. To follow is Junie’s...

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From the Classroom to the World: Kate’s Adventure

I am currently a third-grade teacher at Blythe Academy of Languages in Greenville, South Carolina. This is my third year teaching. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Literacy...

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Learn AI by Building Something Real

Every industry is changing because of AI. Most professionals are still figuring out where they fit. A new course from Furman University is for individuals who want to stop guessing. Applied AI for Professional Practice...

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Rooted in Purpose: How Tre’Dessa Smalls Is Shaping Greenville’s Future

Tre'Dessa Smalls comes from a family of servant leaders. Raised in Burgess, South Carolina, a small town just 15 minutes outside Myrtle Beach, Tre’Dessa has never shied away from the issues others overlook: affordable housing,...

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Making Connections through Fridays in the Field

Ask any Master of Science in Innovation and Leadership student about “Fridays in the Field,” and they’ll light up, sharing stories from recent visits to Michelin Innovation Lab, Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery and Soteria At...

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Becoming a Literacy Leader: Marie’s Story

Early in my teaching career, I was certain I would spend my entire professional life in my own classroom. Even after nineteen years, what I cherish most are the relationships I build with students, especially...

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Rooted and Growing: Shaniece Criss

Shaniece Criss didn’t stumble into public service. It’s something she’s been growing into her entire life. As a child in Greenville, South Carolina, Shaniece’s grandmother told her she would become a public servant. From those...

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The Portfolio Difference: How Furman’s MASD Program Prepares Designers to Stand Out

Grace Van Rij remembers the moment she first heard about the Master of Arts in Strategic Design (MASD). The program first caught her eye during her undergraduate years at Furman. Even without an art background, she immediately knew it was the right fit.   Anne Heaton Sanders knew from an early age...

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Leaning in to Innovation and Leadership: Tara’s Story

Tara Weese has spent her career pouring into others. As a leadership development consultant, business owner, mentor, facilitator, wife, and mom, she showed up fully for everyone around her, which left little room to be...

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Sierra Burns M’29 made headlines at February’s State of the Union for her advocacy of the foster care system

Furman University recently highlighted Sierra Burns M’29, a grad student pursuing her master’s degree in advocacy and social policy. On Feb. 24, Sierra was seated in the gallery in Washington, D.C., next to First Lady...

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Opening Doors with Literacy: Johnna’s Journey

One of the things I most believe in is that literacy opens doors to opportunities and fulfillment in life in ways that few other skills can. It’s true that good reading, writing and speaking are...

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