Dr. Stephanie Rolph, executive director of strategic initiatives at Millsaps College, is the recipient of the Harlan R. Beckley Award for 2022. The award is presented by the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP) and given in recognition of an individual’s efforts “to make a difference in poverty studies and further the mission of the Consortium.”
The award is named for Harlan R. Beckley, the Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion, Emeritus at Washington and Lee University.
“I’m so proud of my time spent working with SHECP’s community,” Rolph said. “The relationships I built and the transformational mission of the organization was an experience for which I’m deeply grateful. To receive the Beckley Award is a truly humbling honor.”
Rolph has been actively involved in the work of the Consortium since 2016, serving as its inaugural academic director from 2017-2021 and leading efforts to reimagine the academic and internship components during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It comes as no surprise that Stephanie Rolph would be honored for her work in this field and her efforts to improve methods by which students experience the core processes of learning,” said Dr. Keith Dunn, provost and dean of Millsaps College. “The impact of what she does is not limited to the Millsaps campus, and the results of her work will echo through classes of students for years to come.”
The news of Rolph’s selection for the award drew praise from her faculty colleagues.
“I cannot think of a person more deserving,” said Louwanda Evans, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology and director of African American Studies at Millsaps. “Stephanie has done an amazing job as a colleague and friend at Millsaps College and at SHECP with bridging the gap between the academic program and the importance of experiential learning.”
The announcement of Rolph’s selection for the award was made by Tim Diette, Ph.D., executive director of SHECP and professor of economics at Washington & Lee University.
“Dr. Rolph led the development of our student learning outcomes of knowledge, engagement and responsibility through a deliberate process,” Diette said. “These learning outcomes will remain the guiding light of existing and new SHECP programming. Dr. Rolph has left an indelible mark on SHECP that will continue to benefit students, staff and faculty and community partners.”