Southminster Scholarship Helps Grad Student Pursue Career Advocating for Older Adults

Emmy Ballard, a second year graduate student in the Master of Gerontology program, is the 2019 Southminster scholarship recipient for her commitment to working with older populations.

Since beginning her undergraduate major in recreational therapy, Ballard knew she wanted to pursue a career that would enable her to work with aging adults. Her internship at a memory care facility sparked a passion for working with people with dementia and reaffirmed her decision to attend UNC Charlotte to pursue a master’s in gerontology.

“I had heard the praises of Southminster throughout the Gerontology program but never imagined that I would be the recipient of their award,” said Ballard. “This scholarship could not have been come at a more perfect time.”

This $15,000 scholarship, provided to assist a student with tuition, textbook costs and living expenses, allowed Ballard to leave a full-time job she was holding outside of school to focus solely on her education.

“As a non-profit life plan community, Southminster is proud to support students seeking careers that will have a direct impact on older adults and caregivers in our community,” said Tracy McGinnis, Director of Philanthropy for the organization.

Ballard developed an interest in treating dementia through an applied project and independent studies and by volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association and an adult daycare in Huntersville, NC.

“To receive this scholarship means everything,” said Ballard. “It has enabled me to have a successful last year in the Gerontology program, and allowed me so many opportunities that I otherwise would not have had.”

A member of the Gerontology Club and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Ballard is expected to graduate this May and will pursue a career as a public advocate for an agency that enables older adults to age well.