b'John Grigsby Sawyer . Leesville, South CarolinaB.A., Wofford College; M.Ed., University of South Carolina; EdS, Clemson University Opportunities to Learn in Rural South Carolina Schools: Rurality, Place and PassionAdvised by Dr. Hans Klar Grig has proudly worked in many public school districts in South Carolina but found a home in rural areas similar to where he grew up. He believes education is to help lift others so that they may make tomorrow even better than we imagined.Tomiko Tarnise Smalls .McCormick, South CarolinaB.S., M.S., M.Ed., Clemson University; Ed.S., Augusta State UniversityBrought What I Needed to Succeed: Community Cultural Wealth in the Persistence Experiences of Former Division II Black Women Basketball Players Who Graduated from Predominantly White InstitutionsAdvised by Dr. Natasha N. Croom Tomiko is the Clemson University 2024 Frankie O. Felder Graduate Student Award of Excellence recipient. She is also a Southern Regional Education Board Dissertation Fellow and a Distinguished Ethics Scholar. Tomiko was named to the New Professional and Graduate Student Review Board for the Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education. In addition, she has demonstrated leadership as chief alumni relations officer for CHANGE and contributed to the COE Graduate Advisory Board and COE Community and Diversity Committee.Literacy, Language and CultureMeghan Jacquelynn Malloy Clemson, South CarolinaB.A., Clemson University; M.A.T., College of Charleston Parent Advocacy for Literacy Intervention: A Case Study of Motivations and ExperiencesAdvised by Dr. C.C. Bates Special EducationAlex Carlson Greenville, South CarolinaB.S., Florida Institute of Technology; M.A., Marian University - IndianapolisUsing Mixed-Reality Simulation to Teach Job Interview Skills to Young Adults With Intellectual DisabilitiesAdvised by Dr. Joseph Ryan Alex was awarded the Graduate Student Award of Excellence in Research by the College of Education for 2021-22. He has published more than 10 peer-reviewed research articles and has presented at local, state, and national conferences. He plans to apply his knowledge and skills to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and their teachers as he continues his career.20'