The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Shauna Rigaud, PhD '24, with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni award in cultural studies.
Rigaud is a cultural studies scholar whose work centers on race, gender, identity, and freedom within the Anglophone Caribbean. A first-generation college graduate, she began her academic journey at UMass Amherst and Simmons University. At George Mason, she helped establish the Black Graduate Student Association, continuing a lifelong commitment to community building.
Her career spans youth advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and serving as a scholar-activist through teaching, mentoring, and developing experiential programs.
She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and co-founder of Mayhem246, a concierge company curating experiences for Barbados’ Crop Over Festival.
Congratulations, Shauna Rigaud!
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences honors distinguished alumni each fall at Community and Catalysts: Achievements, Awards, and Innovations. This signature event is a celebration of alumni, faculty, and students whose leadership, research, and service have made outstanding contributions to their fields, communities, and to the university.
October 03, 2025