Lectures & Connections   

Join Jaime J. McCauley, the Director of Community Action Research and Engagement Collaborative, for this lecture.

This talk explores environmental justice issues in Horry County through the lens of flooding, displacement and cultural preservation in the Bucksport community. The focus is on how flooding connects to long-standing struggles for justice in Bucksport, a historic Black, Gullah-Geechee community on the South Carolina coast. Bucksport has experienced repeated catastrophic floods that damage homes and strain resources, even as rapid growth and development pressures in Horry County threaten community land and culture. The talk highlights how residents and community partners have collaborated on community-engaged projects - from housing assessments and rain garden installations to advocacy and planning – to address these challenges and advocate for fair solutions. Learning about the Bucksport community is an important way to honor local history, with applications for community advocacy in Horry County and beyond.

In today’s unpredictable world, personal safety is more important than ever—whether you're traveling to the grocery store, across the country, or overseas. This course provides practical, real-world strategies to help individuals stay safe, aware, and prepared in any environment. Drawing from Dr. Isabel Perry’s expertise and her published work on travel safety, this session focuses on personal responsibility, smart decision-making, proactive planning and situational awareness.

Do you know:

1. The #1 reason 80% of luggage is lost and how to prevent it

2. The safest gathering point to meet your friends

3. How to find the risky zones in a foreign city

4. What app can find your transportation options in Europe

5. The safest floor in a hotel

Participants will learn how to secure their home before departing, safeguard personal information, and avoid becoming a target while traveling. The course explores vehicle safety, airport and hotel precautions, travel scams, technology and digital security, and how clothing, behavior, and body language can impact personal risk.

Attendees will also receive:

• A curated list of government travel websites and embassy resources

• Recommended travel safety apps for mobile phones

• Simple personal safety maneuvers and situational awareness techniques

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify potential travel-related risks and apply proactive strategies to reduce vulnerability.

2. Prepare effectively using trusted government resources and secure documentation practices.

3. Use safety-focused digital tools and apps for alerts, navigation, and emergencies.

4. Demonstrate basic personal safety maneuvers and situational awareness techniques.

5. Make informed safety decisions in airports, hotels, public transportation, and unfamiliar environments.