Greenville Riley Institute Hosts Seventh Annual Advantage Scholars Program

Nearly 50 incoming first-year Furman University students joined The Riley Institute over two, three-day sessions in June to explore social issues in the Greenville community, create connections with fellow students and grow leadership skills through workshops and discussion.

This 2028 class of Advantage Scholars, composed of students who received Furman’s most prestigious scholarships, has 60 students in their cohort with around 260 students in the four classes at Furman right now. The students were divided into groups based on their interests: community health and healthcare, housing and homelessness, criminal justice and re-entry, public education, and sustainability.

In these small groups, students met with mentors and community partners, such as New Horizon Family Health Services and Soteria, a nonprofit organization that provides for men leaving the South Carolina prison system through counseling, housing, and transitional employment.

Student Experiences

Jacob Mijalli ’28, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, participated in the criminal justice and re-entry group. He plans to study biology as a pre-med student but said criminal justice ties into his interests and experiences.

“As the son of Egyptian immigrants, I understand the racial prejudices underlying [the criminal justice system] and I am interested in that,” Mijalli stated.

Evelyn Campbell ’28, from Lakewood, Colorado, participated in the community health and awareness group. Campbell, who’s planning to study politics and international affairs and sociology or philosophy, said she is interested in public policy and politics, which relate to public health.

Powerful Moments

Both Campbell and Mijalli took the Seeking Abraham tour, an initiative by the Task Force on Slavery & Justice, and found it moving. Brandon Inabinet, professor of communication studies and chair of the task force, led the tour on and around Furman’s campus, explaining the racial history and significance of buildings.

Program Impact

As part of a workshop, the cohort imagined what it would be like to live as a single mother working minimum wage in Greenville County. They attended a fun session with Bon Appetit, the Dining Hall vendor, and learned how to make guacamole. And, they crafted individual leadership statements.

Campbell said throughout her time at Furman, she will reference her statement and ask herself, “Does this fit with who I want to be? Does this fit with where I’m going and with what I want to do with my life? Am I staying true to myself?”

Future Leaders

Campbell recommends the program – which is open to recipients of Duke, Townes, Hollingsworth, Vaughn, Mickel, or Lay scholarships – for students who are “here to take advantage of every single opportunity they are given, and every single moment of time they are allotted.”

Mijalli said the program is perfect for future leaders. “If you want to feel a sense of community with like-minded people who are hardworking, resilient, but also very understanding, it’s the place for you.”