Oct 8, 2021 | Board
Clemson University
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Marian Robinson is a faculty associate at Clemson University Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Department, where she is also a program manager for youth development programs. At Clemson, she educates vulnerable populations on cardiovascular health initiatives, assists others in navigating healthcare systems and accessing mental health resources, provides non-profits, academia, and community members with networks, linkages, and referrals to civic and community resources, and collects community-level public health data, lends such data to academia, and creates forums, townhall meetings and fieldwork opportunities for students.
The Anderson, South Carolina native has been active in community health coalitions in the Upstate for many years. In 2021, she assisted Generation 4, a non-profit in Belton, SC, with applying for and receiving a HEAL Mini-Grant from Wholespire. They created an open play space for community use in a safe and secure environment. She also serves on a number of boards and committees, including the State 4-H Advisory Board.
Robinson received her bachelor of art degree in business and human development from Anderson University and furthered her education at Clemson University. She has received the Clemson University President’s Commission on the Status of Women-Outstanding Woman Award, Clemson University Martin Luther King Excellence in Community Service Award, and has been featured in three national magazines for “Powerful Women Making a Difference.”
Her interests include community organizing, volunteer recruitment, reading, traveling, cooking, and baking.
Oct 8, 2021 | Board
University of South Carolina
College of Information and Communications
Nick Vera, MLIS, is a Doctoral Candidate in Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina College of Information and Communications. He is passionate about holistic health and believes strongly in the mantra that prevention is better than cure. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Masters in Library and Information Sciences from the University of South Carolina.
Vera has a background in community engagement and health advocacy. In 2018, he interned at SC Thrive where he collaborated with community leaders and diverse stakeholders in the Lowcountry, striving to fortify and broaden SC Thrive’s services by integrating public libraries and telehealth professionals. He has also served as the graduate assistant for Cocky’s Reading Express, playing a pivotal role in promoting children’s literacy in Title-I schools across South Carolina.
As a doctoral candidate, Vera’s research examines the impact of social media on the sexual health information-seeking behaviors of young adults in SC. It bridges a critical gap between experts such as health practitioners and teachers – who may not provide accurate, relevant, and comprehensive sexual health information to youth – and social media sources that support health information needs but may lack critical context, quality, or accuracy. My work responds to a call within the field to connect better Library and Information Science to Public Health and to develop strategies that encourage SC young adults to navigate the digital landscape effectively and make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Ultimately, his work contributes to a holistic approach to sexual health education for young adults, recognizing the role of both traditional health practitioners and emerging digital platforms. By combining the strengths of both realms, Vera’s research aims to empower young adults with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their sexual health, promoting overall well-being and reducing the potential risks associated with missing, inadequate, or misleading information.
Oct 8, 2021 | Board
Perkins Coie, LLP
Moses Washington, a native of Denmark, South Carolina, brings a unique perspective to the board as an alumnus of the Bamberg County HYPE team at Denmark-Olar High School. He was a standout member of the team and advocated to the South Carolina State Board of Education for healthy school food on behalf of public school students and Wholespire. Washington has been involved in Wholespire and The HYPE Project, serving as a keynote speaker and resource for various initiatives.
Washington’s experiences growing up in the Corridor of Shame and concern for the welfare of his community motivated him to create his own non-profit, the Washington Foundation. Through his foundation, he aims to increase the quality of life of those in his hometown by organizing an annual Back-to-School Bash, which provides school supplies to K-12 students.
He received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Morehouse College, a master of information sciences from North Carolina State Central University, and a doctor of law degree from North Carolina Central State University School of Law. Washington is an associate at Perkins Coie, LLP in Dallas, Texas, an international law firm practicing technology transactions and privacy law.
