Georgia Southern student receives scholarship for work with Your Skin Is In college ambassador program

May 27, 2016

Beth Jenkins, a student in Georgia Southern University’s Department of Communication Arts, was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Melanoma Foundation of New England (MFNE) for participating in the Your Skin Is In college ambassador program. Jenkins’ scholarship was one of six scholarships awarded to college students across the United States for participating in the Your Skin Is In college ambassador program, which is in its first year. Student ambassadors took the Your Skin Is In Pledge, obtained pledges from classmates, family and friends, and participated in an e-learning lesson. “Through this program I have learned to truly love and protect the skin that I was given,” said Jenkins. “Being an ambassador gave me the ability to share the importance of skin safety with my fellow classmates.” Melanoma is rising faster than any other cancer. One person dies from the disease every 50 minutes. Your Skin Is In is an educational pledge-based program that encourages teens and young adults to make a personal promise that they will protect the skin they’re in. Over the past eight years, the Melanoma Foundation of New England has exposed over half a million students to this award-winning, educational program. “One of the best ways to create positive change is to start with young people and teach them about the dangers of sun overexposure and tanning,” said Deb Girard, Executive Director, MFNE. “We hope these ambassadors will share their knowledge and inspire others to spread the word about melanoma prevention.” The MFNE was founded in 1999 by Mel and Marilyn Rubin in memory of their son Mark who lost his battle with melanoma. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is the largest of the eight colleges that make up Georgia Southern University, and it plays a central role in every student’s core of knowledge. CLASS, also described as the University’s College of the Creative Mind, prepares students to achieve academic excellence, develop their analytical skills, enhance their creativity and embrace their responsibilities as citizens of their communities, their nations and the world. CLASS offers more than 20 undergraduate degrees and several interdisciplinary minors from its 11 departments and five academic centers. CLASS offers eight master’s degrees, two graduate certificates and one doctoral degree. For more information, GeorgiaSouthern.edu/CLASS. Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving nearly 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. GeorgiaSouthern.edu.