University of South Carolina alumna, Catherine Glen, has been named as a recipient of the Rotary Global Grant to study at Queen's University Belfast with a focus on international childhood adversity. Glen is sponsored by the Capital Rotary Club in Columbia, South Carolina, which is in Rotary District 7770.

Glen is a 2011 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she majored in psychology with a minor in neuroscience. After graduation, Glen conducted research and statistical analysis for MUSC on treatments for youth with dual diagnoses of Axis I Mood Disorder and Substance Abuse. She also conducted in home psychological assessments and increased enrollment in the program by over 200%. Since 2013, Glen has lived and worked in Japan as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. As a part of JET, Glen holds a unique position teaching at five special education schools in Yamanashi, Japan. She is highly involved in advocacy for special needs education and has given numerous presentations on the rights of children with special needs to the local community. Glen was invited to the US embassy to meet with the US Department of State International Disability Advisor, Judith Heauman, to discuss special needs rights in Japan. Glen was the "Voice Spotlight" highlight in 2014. This spotlight is given to an individual "dedicated to the betterment of society" by the Yamanashi International Center and includes a publicized article on the awardee's work in Japan. Glen also recently initiated and organized an exchange between the US Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia and Yamanashi special needs schools, a first for both groups.

Glen's studies encompass Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution, one of Rotary's six areas of focus. She intends to complete an MSc in the Psychology of Childhood Adversity at Queen's University in Belfast. Her academic work will support initiatives addressing psychological effects of conflict, education youth on preventative measures to avoid conflict, training youth as leaders, and campaigns to combat negative social dynamics. Alongside her studies, Glen will focus her humanitarian efforts on working with local youth in Belfast to address the recurring ethno-national and ethno-religious conflicts. Upon graduation Glen will travel to East Africa to complete a one-month humanitarian internship.

The Rotary is the world's largest privately funded international scholarship program whose scholars further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas by encouraging person-to-person diplomacy. Rotary Global Grants are valued at over $30,000, provide one year of study abroad, and encourage recipients to engage in community service work.

Glen brings the university's total of Rotary Scholars to 85 since the 1994 establishment of the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs (OFSP) which assists students as they prepare applications for national fellowship competitions.
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