In summer 2007, Walden University awarded Commitment to Social Change Scholarships to six doctoral and seven master's students who have effected positive social change in their communities and who possess a strong social-change vision for the future.
Lauren Brisbon
Public Health Analyst
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration Student
Social Change Achievement: Assisted families impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita as a program specialist with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Social Change Goal: Promote and implement health care
policies that improve the social welfare of others.
Suzanne Dixon
Kindergarten Teacher and Interpreter
M.S. in Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Helped to empower non-English-speaking parents by serving as an interpreter at key school events throughout her county
Social Change Goal: Help increase the involvement of non-English-speaking parents in the academic lives of their English-speaking children.
Brigid Fry
Teacher and Program Supervisor of School Services, Conner Prairie Outdoor Living History Museum
M.S. in Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Inspired student learning through on-site and distance-learning programs that bring history to life
Social Change Goal: Effect social change in her professional and personal life through education.
Gail Hanscom
Private Practice, Environmental Counseling
Ph.D. in Psychology Student
Social Change Achievement: Research in treatment and counseling for a growing population of individuals suffering from chemical, electrical, and environmental sensitivities
Social Change Goal: Having her students treated equally so that they blend in to the general education curriculum and classroom.
Rachael Hollinger
Special Education Teacher
M.S. in Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Led an effort to restructure her school's special education program to become more inclusive and better meet the needs of all students
Social Change Goal: Provide the best possible instruction and impact the lives of more students and families.
Bobby Hutchison
Professor, Modesto Junior College
Doctor of Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Served as a community activist for foster children and gay and lesbian college students
Social Change Goal: Apply the broad knowledge of the doctoral program to create positive social change in schools, colleges, and community organizations.
Shannon Irvine
Founder and President, Mosaic Vision
Ph.D. in Psychology Student
Social Change Achievement: Founded and manages Mosaic Vision, a nonprofit organization providing Ugandan orphans with counseling, education, health care, and spiritual support
Social Change Goal: Establish a crisis center in Uganda for AIDS and malaria orphans and contribute to the scholarly data available on evaluating and treating the progress of AIDS orphans.
Patricia Kean
Assistant Professor, Curry College
Doctor of Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Created a transformative learning community and elevated the level of discourse among students, faculty, and staff regarding cultural identity, global poverty, social injustice, and more
Social Change Goal: Foster greater self-knowledge in students so they in turn can become effective leaders and agents of social justice and compassion.
Princess Edu Mboho
Goodnews Community International
Master of Business Administration Student
Social Change Achievements: Helped to manage Goodnews Community International, a nonprofit organization that serves more than 800 children in Nigeria
Social Change Goal: Strengthen the leadership of Goodnews Community International to better meet future challenges and opportunities.
Denise Rue-Pastin
CEO, Environmental Dimensions; Water Information Program Coordinator,
Southwestern Water Conservation District
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration Student
Social Change Achievement: Founded and chairs the Southwest Organization for Sustainability, and serves as a public voice for water conservation
Social Change Goal: Collaborate at the local, state, and national levels on environmental policy and sustainability programs.
Lea Rutherford Williams
Founder, Young Entrepreneurs Society International and Co-owner,
Aunt K’s Place Family Recovery Center
Master of Business Administration Student
Social Change Achievements: Founded the Houston chapter of Young Entrepreneurs Society to inspire the next generation of business leaders
Social Change Goal: Expand her sphere of influence among at-risk youth and adults.
Terry Lynn Thayer
Juvenile Detention Officer and Teacher
M.S. in Education Student
Social Change Achievement: Dedicated her career to working with at-risk youths to promote positive social change in their lives
Social Change Goal: Promote successful learning, accountability, and self-advocacy in at-risk youth.
LindaSue Walden
Teacher, Cobb County, Georgia
M.S. in Mental Health Counseling Student
Social Change Achievement: Served as an advocate for the individual rights of physically and health impaired high school students
Social Change Goal: Continue to promote mainstreaming of physically and health impaired students into society.