When Faith Joy learned about the genocide that occurred in Rwanda and Kosovo in the 1990s in a high school history class, it became a pivotal moment in planning her future.  

“We learned why the Western world intervened in Kosovo but not in Rwanda and how that was impacted through the lens of race,” says Joy, who grew up in South Carolina and Wyoming.  

Having lived in the South, Joy understood the complexities of race and prejudice, “but to have it so clearly laid out that our priorities in international affairs are often dependent on race and how we view others just didn’t make sense to me.” 

That sparked an interest in social justice and a journey to learn about and deconstruct prejudices. She majored in social work at the University of Wyoming, and after a year as a medical social worker, Joy decided to pursue her master’s degree in social work at the University of South Carolina. 

She recently completed the first semester of an internship at the Anne Frank Center on USC’s campus, the only North American partner of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. 

“Uniquely situated on a college campus where we interact with thousands of students each semester and grounded in a mission to elevate the voices of young people, the center offers a rich environment for experiential learning,” says Amy Austermiller, program development and grant manager for the Anne Frank Center. “Faith supports visitor engagement, helps facilitate educational programming for school groups and field trips, and contributes to data organization and event planning.” 

Joy’s responsibilities include giving tours to University 101 classes and training student volunteers. Joy also provides peer guide and docent training for the centers’ traveling exhibits to schools all over the country. 

She says one of the most impactful experiences at the center was facilitating workshops and activities through the Anne Frank Youth Network. The center on USC’s campus is the U.S. partner for this a global network of Anne Frank organizations whose mission is to raise the voices of young people ages 16 to 26.  

“These young people are so engaged and have a bright vision for the future, and they actively want to make a difference in the world we live in,” Joy says. “Our goal is to empower them to take action in their own communities. I'm grateful to be part of the process to help them realize the impact they can have.” 

Her internship at the Anne Frank Center helped solidify her interest in social justice, human rights and the advocacy work she hopes to do after completing her MSW in May 2026. Tours of the exhibit explain the rise of Nazism in Germany while also focusing on the role of helpers, emphasizing the importance of awareness and action. In the Columbia exhibit, conversations also explore the connection between historical events such as the Holocaust and Jim Crow South. 

Austermiller notes Joy’s clear passion for social justice and natural ability to connect with people enhances her interactions with tour groups, volunteers and other visitors to the center.  

“Much of the work I do at the center is engaging people in conversation and showcasing the cognitive dissonance that's created when we follow lines of thought based on race and prejudice,” Joy says. “Part of our mission is to encourage nonjudgmental exploration of ideas and emphasize the importance of leaving the door open for more conversation even when we disagree.” 

Joy credits the Anne Frank Center leadership, staff and welcoming environment for the growth and development she has experienced and is eager to use those skills as she pursues career opportunities. 

Social Work professor Nathaniel Bell called Joy’s presentation about her work at the Anne Frank Center rich with insight and meaning. 

“In all my years of teaching and mentoring, Faith delivered one of the most energetic, inspiring and deeply reflective presentations I’ve seen,” Bell says. “She beautifully articulated what it means to be a social worker, the diverse opportunities to apply those skills, and the profound value this placement has brought to her and those she’s working with.” 

Her insightful understanding of the broad role of social work and her dedication to social justice contributed to her selection for both the Carly June Hudson Scholarship and the I. DeQuincey Newman Scholarship for Peace and Social Justice.  

“Without this financial support to relieve some of the stress from personal and family challenges, I may have had to drop out of the MSW program,” says Joy, a full-time student with a graduate assistantship in addition to a 16-hour per week internship at the Anne Frank Center. “I have a deep gratitude for the donors’ generosity and the significant impact they have for my education.” 

Director of Field Education Avril T. Lail says community partners like the Anne Frank House make meaningful, hands-on learning possible for social work students: “Faith’s experience shows how these placements build real skills, insight and confidence in the profession.” 

Joy is only the third social work intern to work with the Anne Frank Center at USC, and Austermiller says initially, she was unsure how she would incorporate social work interns into the center’s mission and activities.  

“When I mentioned this to Faith, she was shocked,” Austermiller says. “She replied, ‘Everything you do here is social work!’ Her sharp social work lens allowed her to recognize every interaction with students and community members, every volunteer training, and every reflective moment in the exhibit space as an opportunity to apply social work principles and strategies.” 

She adds that Joy’s attention to reflection, emotional well-being, and understanding the lived experiences of others complement the center’s educational mission. 

Joy plans to use the experience and skills she gained at the Anne Frank Center through policy and advocacy work after graduation. 

“Advancing human rights is personally my goal as a social worker, and that is the embodiment of the Anne Frank Center’s mission,” she says. “I want to use everything I've learned from other people, their experiences and their stories to advocate for policy action to empower social workers, advance violence prevention efforts and advocate for underrepresented populations,” she says.  

Austermiller looks forward to building on the partnership between the Anne Frank Center and the College of Social Work.  

“We are excited to broaden opportunities for students who are passionate about social justice, education and community outreach,” she says. “Social work students bring valuable skills and unique perspective that enhance our programming, expand our impact and deepen the visitor experience.”