Korinn Y. Carter, BA ’13, psychology, and the winner of the 2013 Dean’s Distinction for Public Service, Superior Contribution, has been very busy over the past three years. An advocate for public service, community building, and strong families, Carter came to George Mason University from Richmond in the fall of 2010, with a set of goals in mind.
She wrapped up her academic career in three packed years. Along the way, she picked up research and career experience in a variety of organizations and departments, such as Mason’s Child Development Center, Mason’s Center for Psychological Services, Howard University Hospital’s Cancer Center, Mason’s Sexual Assault Services, and the Hope, Unity and Freedom Center in Richmond.
Carter spent her college career exceeding expectations, and now she wants other young women to do the same.
In December of 2011, Carter founded the group, “Chase Dreams, Not Boys” (CDNB), a student organization focused on empowering young minority women between the ages of 12 and 17. CDNB members work with local middle schools and high schools to provide consistent interaction with and programming for the area’s young minority women. The CDNB members visit their assigned schools once or twice a week, and build relationships with the younger students, discussing topics such as college applications, resumes, character, confidence, self-worth, and self-esteem.
For Carter, CDNB’s mission is of utmost importance. She was raised primarily by her father (her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis), and his lessons on focus, confidence, and initiative rang in her ears at every turn. Carter credits her father with instilling some of her values within her.
“A positive influence in one’s life is very important, because without a positive person or model to emulate, there are no goals and there is no direction,” she said. “A lot of the [students] don’t set goals which they see as unattainable or impossible. Having minority female college students from Mason go out into these communities uplifts the younger students and lets them know that they can go farther.”
Carter has always believed in hard work, and launching CDNB certainly called for it. She spent many hours getting the organization established at Mason, building support for it, and attracting a committed member base. Now, the organization works smoothly. In the fall of 2013, it will open a second chapter, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Carter’s goal is to have a chapter in every university in the United States.
But the successes she cherishes most come from the students CDNB serves every week.
“When a little girl comes up to me and says she wants to be just like me when she grows up, I tell her, ‘You don’t want to be just like me, you want to be better,’” Carter said. “When we follow up with teachers and administrators, and find out that our work has resulted in a positive change – in confidence, in behavior, in attitude, anything – that’s the type of feedback we live for.”
By awarding her with the Dean's Distinction for Public Service, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences recognized Carter's passion for giving back to the community.
"Korinn gave the award committee a clear understanding of her character, her motivation, and her goals," said Katie Clare, assistant dean of undergraduate academic affairs for the college. "Not only did she create "Chase Dreams, Not Boys," but she voiced clear plans for how to further develop the initiative in the future. It was clear to the committee that public service was not merely an extracurricular activity for her, but a way of life."
This fall, Carter will attend the University of Maryland to begin work on her MS in Couple and Family Therapy. She wants to become a marriage and family counselor and she believes the degree will help her achieve new heights with CDNB.
“I push myself so hard so I can take care of everyone one day, and to also motivate other girls to feel the same way,” she said. “I want other girls to have that same hustle and grind to make things happen for themselves, and not to hope someone else makes it happen for them.”
She adds, “I came here with a purpose, and I plan to live that purpose.”