Brevard College Graduate Student is Achieving Goal to Help People

Emily White, after graduating with her Bachelor's Degree from Brevard College

Emily White is a graduate student in the Emergency Management program at Brevard College. A native of Shelby, NC, she graduated in 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and was also a student-athlete, playing Softball as an infielder for the BC Tornados. Her career goal is to work for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) as an Emergency Manager and she currently works at Brevard College in Campus Life as Assistant Director of Residence Life and Central Scheduling Coordinator. 

When considering college options, Emily was intrigued by the Experiential Learning Model at Brevard College. She was also attracted by the low student to faculty ratio and of course, and the opportunity to play college Softball. Emily couldn’t deny the appeal of the area, as well. She said, “It was a nice change of scenery for me. You can see the mountains in every direction you look.”

As a student-athlete, Emily competed at an impressive level, ranking in the top three of six major statistical categories in her first year. She was also named to the NCCSIA All-State Second Team and to the USA South West Division First Team. Emily said, “One of my favorite things about campus is the support between different sports. This year specifically, we had several other teams cheering us on and supporting us during our games.”

Through her graduate coursework in an Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice course, Emily had an experiential learning opportunity with FEMA where she experienced firsthand how the association operates. She credits her professors with helping her achieve her goals by being available for one on one mentoring, responding quickly to questions, and allowing her the chance to reflect on and revise her work. Emily said, “I came into the undergraduate Criminal Justice program and the Emergency Management graduate program with the same goal – to help people and these programs have helped me achieve that goal.” 

Emily has grown as a person since starting as a first year student at Brevard College and has made connections with people she expects will be lifelong friends. She said, “This college has given me a number of opportunities that will help me excel in the real world. I have made lifelong friends.”