Q&A with M.A. in Advocacy & Equity Studies Director, Dr. Shaniece Criss

Dr. Shaniece Criss, the director of Furman University’s new Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies program, sat with the graduate studies department to discuss her undergraduate and graduate experiences, career, the intersection between communications and public health, and becoming involved with Furman University. 

Your undergraduate experience was spent as a communications major. What about that major drew you in and how has that impacted your career?

This major stood out to me because I wanted to share interesting insights that can help individuals and communities. I learned so much at my small liberal arts college for undergrad. It was important for me to have small class sizes and connect with my professors. I had such a great experience, so I knew that I wanted to work in a similar environment. Furman has been such a wonderful fit. 

I was also part of a leadership program during college. I know that the projects we did there influenced the development of this master’s program, specifically  community organizing and advocacy. 

 

What made you transition from the field of communications to earning a master’s degree and a doctorate in public health and where do you see the intersection between those two fields?

It’s direct because I wanted to focus on health communication. In public health, we’re asking people to do actions that seem straightforward, but a lot of people have barriers to doing certain behaviors. We have to think about communication strategies and interventions development in order to help people make healthy choices.

 

How do you think earning a Master’s in Public Administration prepared you for a career in public service?

I specifically did a mid-career master’s degree, and that’s something I believe other people should consider. Some people think you can only do a master’s right after you graduate from undergrad, but the program I did required at least seven years of work experience. 

It was fantastic to do a master’s after having the opportunity to work. I was pulled towards that program because I had the flexibility to take courses that were interesting and had real-world application. I could see what was happening in the news and what I was learning in class and connect the two to see how I could contribute to make things better.

As far as public service goes, my MPA trained me to think about policy on the local, state, and federal levels. It has been beneficial for me as a local elected official. The policies that we have in place make a difference. 

 

Where were you in your career when you decided to take that program and what was happening in the world at the time that was influencing that decision?

There was unrest in our society. People were being treated unfairly, and there were a lot of protests at the time. 

I felt very moved to think about why these things kept happening, and explored ways we can change our environment, policies, and procedures that makes it easier for everyone to be treated equally when it comes to dealing with our safety and health.

 

During your time in the Peace Corps, you produced and hosted a national television show for the Ministry of Health in Guyana. What did you learn in that role that you’ve been able to translate in your current career.

I loved doing that show. It was called “Changing Course.” It focused on how to change your life today so you can be healthier and support your community. I saw the power of communication, and how it can help people make better choices. When I walked into town, people would say, “I saw your talk show, and I decided to make this change,” or “I told my uncle that he needs to do this [healthier behavior].” 

It was exciting to know that people were trying to implement the information they saw on my show in their lives. That’s something I use today with my teaching and my service in the community. Now, I also incorporate research into helping people understand how to improve their lives. 

 

What excites you most about being involved in this program?

What excites me the most is taking a group of people who are gifted in problem-solving, and then providing more skills that can enhance their abilities. It’s amazing because we have people who want to change the world, and we are literally giving them a toolkit of practical ways of how they can do it. I believe the Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies will cultivate a special atmosphere to influence positive societal change.  

 

Interested in learning more about the M.A. in Advocacy and Equity Studies?

For those interested in a career influencing positive societal change, Furman University’s new Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies program will provide students with the necessary problem-solving skills to find beneficial solutions for communities. For more information about Furman University’s Master of Arts in Advocacy and Equity Studies program click HERE.