Meet Dr. Shaniece Criss of Travelers Rest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Shaniece Criss. 

Hi Dr. Criss, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am an enthusiastic leader who joyfully inspires growth for individual and collective action. I work in the intersection of public health, government, and media in my hometown of Travelers Rest, a city located in Greenville County, South Carolina. I am a multi-hyphenate professional who loves to serve motivated, barrier-breakers seeking to enhance their personal well-being and societal impact. 

I am an elected official on Travelers Rest City Council, representing the community of this beautiful small town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love seeing my neighbors exercising on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile greenway for walking and biking. On Saturdays, I like to enjoy the Farmers Market with my family and catch up with friends. It’s exciting to be part of the decision-making process of the town, and I really appreciate hearing from our residents. 

Furman University is located within the city limits of town, and I am a Health Sciences faculty member there. This liberal arts institution is consistently recognized as a top school for innovation. I teach public health courses, and I am excited to take my students to Portugal soon to discuss healthcare systems and clinical care. Another aspect of my job is research. I am a founding member of the Big Data for Health Research Collaborative, which is a group of university researchers from across the U.S. who investigate how societal issues impact health. Most recently, our research team has been studying the associations between Twitter and various health outcomes. 

In all my endeavors, I aim to illuminate paths to opportunity. I utilize media to provide education and share resources. I am always ready to share updates with the community through the news and social media. Currently, I am working on developing a public health talk show. I am building upon my work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guyana, South America where I had a live, weekly, 1-hour health talk show on the national channel. 

As I reflect on my current endeavors, I recount several key confirmation points in my life. As a child, I always felt the need to ensure everyone’s voice was heard. In high school, I felt distraught when I heard about health disparities, and I felt that I had to do something about it. As a young adult, I attended a prayer and reflection retreat, and by the time I left I knew that I was called to work in public health, government, and media. I feel blessed because I am fulfilled, and the joy in my life overflows into my service to others. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One morning, I saw a vision of myself teaching in front of college students. I realized that I needed to pursue a doctoral degree. I applied and was accepted to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. My first two years there were a struggle because of the coursework, a 20+ hour a week job, and 2-hours of travel each day. There were times that I felt like quitting, but my dad kept encouraging me. During my third year of the program, my husband and I decided to have a baby. My mom was gracious enough to move in with us during that time so I could write my dissertation. At each milestone of the program, I would celebrate. I had to be steady. I had to keep a positive attitude and surround myself with supportive people. And most importantly, I had to lean on my faith, which ultimately provided me the strength to graduate. The lessons learned from this time still help me today. Even when a situation seems hard, I know that there is a way to succeed. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have had a twisty road, and that has been an adventure for me. I grew up in Greenville, SC. At 18, I went to Oglethorpe University and majored in communications. I obtained my Master of Public Health from Emory University. My first full-time career position was in public health consulting, and then I worked at a church. After 10 years in Atlanta, my husband and I joined the Peace Corps. Then we moved to Boston for 6 years and later settled down in Travelers Rest (I came back to SC after 18 years away). On this path, I was able to learn surprising new things about myself and the world. In all my experiences, the biggest takeaway I learned is not the compare my journey to anyone else’s because everyone has unique talents that are needed in specific places at the appointed times, and each person needs to fulfill their calling. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://travelersrestsc.com/government/meet-your-elected-officials/ | https://www.furman.edu/people/shaniece-criss/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrissForTravelersRest

Image Credits
Dr. Shaniece Criss
Dr. Criss
Daffodil Behal