Help Bridge Team

Faroat I. Andasheva is graduate of Shepherd University. She currently attends Florida International University School of Law. With her law degree, she intends to represent the rights of disenfranchised minority groups such women of color, the LGBTQ community, and domestic violence victims. Ms. Andasheva advocates for social justice issues alongside a team of 32 student leaders with whom she facilitates educational programs. Each semester, Ms. Andasheva has completed a minimum of 45 hours of community service. She has been an acting president of Alpha Kappa Delta, a member of the International Honor Society of Sociology, and the vice-president of Shepherd University’s Sociology Club. During her tenure as an executive officer, Ms. Andasheva has facilitated meetings, recruited members, and planned fundraisers.

Jessica Smith is a graduate of Shepherd University. Ms. Smith found an interest and passion for sociological study especially focusing on socioeconomic class structures and the correlation to societal institutions. With 8 years of business experience in housing, human resources, management, and project planning, Ms. Smith hopes to utilize her Bachelor’s degree in a community based corporate/non-profit organization. A Northern Virginia native and mountain lover, Ms. Smith’s scholastic and personal interests vary from sociology, anthropology, sustainable living, visual arts, youth and higher education, environmentally responsible business practices and social consciousness. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Smith has been recognized several times for her participation in specialty projects, outstanding work ethic and customer service, and community volunteerism.

Deidre Ellis is a graduate of Shepherd University. Before attending Shepherd, she received her Associates of Science in Pre-Nursing from Frederick Community College in May 2011.She has a passion for helping others. She has worked extensively with the homeless or less fortunate population in both Baltimore, MD and Martinsburg, WV. In addition to that, she has over 6 years of experience working with Individuals with disabilities, infants and toddlers, and the senior citizen population. She is proficient in both Spanish and American Sign Language. While attending Shepherd, Deidre was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega , a Co-Ed National Service Fraternity. She plans on going into the United States Air Force as an Officer.

Mrs. Cassidy Morris complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a criminal justice concentration in 2015. She will graduate in May of 2015. At Shepherd, Mrs. Morris served as the President of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society, and was a member of Psi Chi, an international honor society in psychology. She also served as the vice-president of the Sociology club of Shepherd’s Department of Sociology and Geography. As well, Mrs. Morris was an active member of the Shepherd University Student Veterans Organization. Mrs. Morris served in the military for four years an E-4, Senior Airman in both Mississippi and Germany. Throughout her military and educational career, she has been recognized for service, academic performance, and her work ethic. Mrs. Morris plans to aid in the reshaping of sexual assault response procedures.

Lisa A. Carden completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with the concentration on Criminal Justice at Shepherd University in 2016. Ms. Carden was the President of the Sociology and Criminology Club in the Department of Sociology and Geography. In that leadership role, she has facilitated meetings, provided documentation, and recruited new members. Ms. Carden also planned fundraisers such as Spirit Night, and is proud to have donated to organizations such as the Shenandoah Women’s Shelter. As well, she participated in Relay for Life, which is a campus-wide event to fight cancer. Ms. Carden's interests range from community volunteering, to participating in sociological projects. Alongside her role as a student, Ms. Carden also has a great passion for her current position as an animal adoption counselor. She supports abused animals, matches them with suitable adopters, and guides the adoption process. Following her graduation, Ms. Carden plans to obtain a career as a lawyer.

Ms. Rachel Tysor is an undergraduate student in the Nursing Program at Shepherd University. She plans to graduate in December of 2017. Before enrolling at Shepherd, Ms. Tysor was employed as a cataract and cornea surgery coordinator in Newport News, Virginia. Her personal and academic interests include nursing, sociology, anthropology, poetry, and visual arts. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Tysor has been recognized for her outstanding work ethic and participation in specialty and community volunteer projects. Ms. Tysor is also well-traveled, having explored locations overseas such as Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and South Africa. She is most concerned about environmentally responsible business practices and enhancing social consciousness regarding impoverished communities. In the future, Ms. Tysor plans to apply her five years of patient-care experience and the RN-Bachelors of Science degree in a community-based, corporate, or non-profit organizational setting.

Millicent Bright-Aubee is an undergraduate Nursing student at Shepherd University. She is an active member of the Multicultural Leadership Team and Pan-African Students Union on campus. Ms. Aubee has a Masters degree in Public Health and has worked as the Strong Start Program Coordinator promoting culturally relevant maternal child health educational initiatives that combat health disparities. Her professional interests include integrating culturally relevant and accurate perspectives into preventive public health initiatives. She aspires to apply her expertise in nursing, public health, and multicultural sensitivity towards addressing health disparities within marginalized communities locally and internationally. 

Micah Johnson served as Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Student Affairs and Student Success. He developed multicultural programming that fostered diversity and respect for cultural differences among students on campus. Micah invited guests to campus and marketed creative and unique events. Micah worked to found Shepherd’s first Black Student Union (BSU). In 2015, Micah presented independent research at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Education, Leadership, Humanities, and Arts in Washington, DC. At the conference, Micah presented his study, “Survey of Multicultural Education, Media Images, and Expectations of Minority Group Members on Campus.” He explained the purpose of his research and asked students if they felt they were provided with effective multicultural education at Shepherd. Read More

Kristin O. Leiter completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with the concentration on Criminal Justice at Shepherd University in May of 2017. As a member and Vice President of the Shepherd Sociology Club, Ms. Leiter facilitated meetings, worked on recruiting new members, and planned fundraisers. Her interests range from working with the local community and participating in community projects. She also has an interest in law enforcement, as her sociological perspective may influence a much-needed different style of policing. Ms. Leiter intends to utilize her Bachelor’s degree to continue her pursuit of higher education. This will allow her to reach her goals of becoming a college professor, a career goal that drove her to seek further education.