May 2, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Kersten Cope, Alicia Flach, Myriam Torres and Yanan Zhang were recognized by the Student Disability Resource Center with 2025 Two Thumbs Up Awards at a ceremony in March. Faculty are nominated by students for going above and beyond to support them as a student with a disability and make Carolina a more inclusive experience.
I think often times we don’t always know what is going on in a student's personal life so giving them the ability to take time for themselves really makes a difference. Showing support to each student helps them to excel at what they are doing.
Kersten Cope, an instructor in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, arrived at USC in 2022. She quickly learned that many students who are registered with the Student Disability Resource Center have disabilities that cannot be seen. To better support students with these “invisible” challenges, Cope adapts her courses to include accommodations such as a mental health day.
“I think often times we don’t always know what is going on in a student's personal life so giving them the ability to take time for themselves really makes a difference,” she says. “One of my past professors told me the most important thing we can do is lead with grace. We don’t know everyone’s struggles, just as they don’t know ours, so showing empathy allows us to better help support each other.”
This approach fits perfectly with Cope’s passion for public health, which is grounded in social justice and equity. She believes that anything less than full support for programs like this one is an injustice to both students and the field of public health.
“Everyone deserves to succeed, and it is our job as professors to help them do so,” Cope says. “Showing support to each student helps them to excel at what they are doing.”
Building supportive learning environments ultimately creates an inclusive physical therapy profession. Health professions that include individuals with varied lived experiences ultimately lead to better health outcomes for our local, national, and global communities.
A clinical associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science’s physical therapy program, Alicia Flach has been with the Arnold School since 2017. For the past two years, she has also served as the faculty director for USC’s Galen Health Fellows program.
“Every semester, I work with graduate students with disabilities to meet their needs in the classroom,” Flach says. “Because physical therapy is a clinical program, these conversations are tailored for the classroom and include consideration for clinical practice.”
She is committed to this work because all students deserve a safe and effective learning environment. In addition, she believes it’s important that students feel empowered to advocate for their unique needs and abilities, which will be a critical skill for them to carry forward into their clinical practice.
“Building supportive learning environments ultimately creates an inclusive physical therapy profession,” Flach says. “Health professions that include individuals with varied lived experiences ultimately lead to better health outcomes for our local, national, and global communities.”
Every student brings their own life experiences with them and deserves individual attention. Public health needs professionals that can work with diverse communities and populations and one way is to have representation in the work force.
Myriam Torres holds the perspective of both student and faculty member. The two-time Arnold School alumna has been a member of the Arnold School for more than 20 years, currently leading the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology program for the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and serving as the school’s assistant dean for public health practice.
“Students with disabilities are usually extremely motivated to do well in your class,” Torres says. “It is always inspiring to support them because they work hard and are successful. They just need some additional time, which is not a problem at all for us as instructors to do.”
As both a teacher and a mentor, she is committed to supporting every student. This holds true whether in classroom, group or one-on-one settings.
“Every student brings their own life experiences with them and deserves individual attention,” Torres says. “Public health needs professionals that can work with diverse communities and populations and one way is to have representation in the work force.”
It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow in confidence and succeed. Many of the students I work with come from diverse backgrounds and face a variety of challenges. I believe it is our responsibility as teachers to support every student in reaching their potential.
Yanan Zhang is also an alumna and faculty member within the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Specializing in biostatistics, she has been a clinical assistant professor since 2023.
“I try to create an accessible learning environment,” says Zhang, who welcomes feedback from her students.
For example, after hearing that her handwriting was difficult to read, she made a conscious effort to write more clearly and posts content and recorded lectures on Blackboard for students to peruse at their own pace. Checking in with students regularly is another part of her commitment as is following the guidance providing by the Student Disability Resource Center.
“I believe it is our responsibility as teachers to support every student in reaching their potential,” Zhang says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow in confidence and succeed. Many of the students I work with come from diverse backgrounds and face a variety of challenges. Offering thoughtful and consistent support is essential to promoting equity and helping all students thrive.”
Established during the 2009-2010 academic year, the Two Thumbs Up Award is designed to thank faculty and staff across the USC campus who have advocated for students, encouraged them to participate, and changed perceptions of USC students with disabilities. Awardees are nominated by students who are registered with the Student Disability Resource Center.