Forrest has been involved in adolescent reproductive health in a variety of capacities and settings for the past 10 years. Currently serving as the Executive Director at the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Forrest directs and oversees the Campaign’s five mission based areas of programming: education, technical assistance, public awareness, advocacy, and research. Prior to joining the Campaign in 2002, Mr. Alton worked as the Program Manager of an adolescent pregnancy prevention program in Georgetown, SC. His involvement in teen pregnancy prevention efforts at the national and state level includes serving on multiple boards and advisory committees.

Forrest is a frequently sought after informative and motivational speaker for community events, and is a frequent quest of state and national television and radio talk shows on topics including adolescent health and sexuality. He has delivered presentations in the majority of South Carolina’s 46 counties and 16 other states. Forrest is a Certified Health Education Specialist who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion from Coastal Carolina University and a Master of Science in Public Health from the USC Arnold School of Public Health.

Gwen joined the Campaign in 2000 and was responsible for the coordination of the Campaign's educational activities. Under her leadership, the Summer Institute experienced phenomenal growth and the scope of educational programming expanded. In February 2008, Gwen was promoted to Deputy Director of Operations resposible for ensuring the efficient operation of the Campaign office. She is a graduate of South Carolina State University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Welfare. Currently Gwen is pursing a graduate degree in Human Behavior and Conflict Management from Columbia College with expected completion in August 2009. She is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters.

Cayci joined the SC Campaign team in June 2007 after being employed for the past four years at Newberry College, most recently as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing. She holds a BA in Communications from Newberry College and brings a wealth of knowledge related to public awareness, marketing, and communications to the SC Campaign. Cayci oversees all public awareness activities of the agency including the website, the Friday Broadcast, and more.

Polly Edwards, Director of Technical Assistance, works closely with local programs throughout the 46 counties to strengthen the services they provide to youth. Polly's area of expertise is providing onsite technical assistance for any needs related to the implementation of science based approaches.

Prior to joining the Campaign staff, Polly served as the Executive Director of Impact, for Anderson and Oconee counties for five years. In 2005, her program received the South Carolina Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program of the Year award from the Campaign. She also did consulting work with the Campaign for two years as a regional leader, trainer and expert in implementing the Teen Outreach Program. Polly has experience implementing numerous science based approaches and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in regards to practical application in the field of teen pregnancy prevention. She has served on national, state and local committees working to prevent teen pregnancy. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a degree in Sociology.

Mary Prince, Director of Research and Evaluation, has a wealth of experience in program evaluation and distance-based learning for public health organizations and CBOs. Her primary area of research and publication is on capacity building of CBOs' staff to use science-based approaches in their prevention work. She is currently President of Health Promotion Works, a consulting firm specializing in program evaluation and distance-based instruction. Dr. Prince also is an associate adjunct faculty member for the Department of Health Promotion Education, and Behavior at the University of South Carolina (USC). For the past several years, she has served as the Campaign's evaluator on the CDC-funded Communities Caring for Teens project. Dr. Prince received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College, her Master of Public Health degree in International Health from the RSPH of Emory University, and her Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Health Promotion and Health Education from the USC School of Public Health. She lives in Pawleys Island, South Carolina with her husband Kevin and their 3 year old Briard, Luc.

Tina Torres joined the Campaign in October 2001 as temporary employee and in January 2002 was hired full-time as the Clerical Associate. Currently, Tina is the Accounting and Human Resources Coordinator. She handles accounts payable/receivable, office procedures and maintenance, and human resources. She also works closely with the Executive Director on financial reporting and auditing. Tina completed accounting courses at Midlands Technical College in December 2006 and received her Associate's degree in Accounting in May 2007.

Prior to joining the Campaign, Tina worked with the SC Department of Social Services, Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity and the South Carolina African American Aids Council. She serves on the Arthurtown Community Committe as the graphic artist and the voice of reasoning. Tina is the proud mother of Nicole (16), Ashlee (15) and Shae-Lin (13).

Jeanette Barton joined the SC Campaign in January, 2007 as senior support for the growing Education and Training Department. Her primary duties include helping to manage Campaign educational programming (preparation of training announcements, securing training locations, and providing on-site registration assistance as well as billing and collections for workshops, helping to oversee the budget, etc.).

Jeannette attended the University of South Carolina earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Her background includes Economic Education, Music and Clowning. Prior to joining the Campaign, Jeannette was employed with the SC Council on Economic Education and Junior Achievement.

Zenica Chatman is one of the newest additions to the campaign’s Public Awareness Team. She is a native of Georgetown, SC and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University.

She has recently received a Masters of Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. As part of the campaign staff, she is primarily responsible for the planning and implementation of the Teen Expressions Contest and Annual Billboard Campaign.

Bernetta is the Senior Education Associate with the Conference and Training Director and is responsible for coordinating educational program support, assisting with data input and registration activities. She is also responsible for assisting with the March of Dimes grant, developing and delivering Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training presentations around the state and to identify and acquire resources to help to build the capacity of the PPTPN members to more effectively prevent repeat teen pregnancy.

Bernetta is a graduate of Clark College now Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Prior to joining the Campaign staff, she worked for thirteen years with Prevent Child Abuse SC.

Tina Marie Devlin received her Bachelor's of Science degree in 2004 in Biology from the University of South Carolina, a Master's of Public Health degree in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior from the University of South Carolina in 2007 and she is also a Certified Health Education Specialist. Tina serves as the Health Education Specialist and is primarily responsible for assisting with the Campaign's educational and training programs.

Jennifer is a doctoral student in the Clinical & Community Psychology Program at the University of South Carolina. Her work focuses on helping organizations build their capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate their programs. She has experience working with state and local organizations focusing on teen pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, substance use prevention, and homelessness. One of her research interests is learning more about how science-based approaches to prevention are shared with and used by community groups.

Sarah Huggins grew up in Florence and graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelors degree in Health Science. She is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health with a Master’s Degree in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior. She is currently pursuing the Doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of South Carolina.

Sarah was recently presented the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Outstanding Achievement Award. This award is presented each year to the Master's level graduating student who best exemplifies the special characteristics of Jeffrey Keith Mattison, an epidemiology and biostatistics student who died in the fall of 1987. Sarah is a Certified Health Education Specialist and has worked with high risk youth since starting the graduate program at the University of South Carolina.

Since beginning work with the SC Campaign in October 2007, Sarah serves as the Data Entry Associate for the Research and Evaluation department and the Technical Assistance department. She is primarily responsible for assisting with the evaluation procedures with the Peer Norm Campaign and mini grants. Sarah has worked specifically on the implementation and evaluation of the Peer Norms Campaign and hopes to continue research in teen pregnancy prevention and STD/HIV prevention.

Erin Johnson has been with the SC Campaign since 2004 in several capacities including CDC Project Coordinator, Education Coordinator and now Education Manager. She oversees the development and implementation of Campaign trainings, the APP Certificate Program, and various grants, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative. She earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science from UNC-Chapel Hill (go Tar Heels!) and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Before coming to the SC Campaign, Erin was an AIDS Health Educator for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Lashanda Palmer recently joined the Campaign staff as a Grants & Development Specialist. She is a South Carolina native, originally from Sumter, and currently lives in Columbia.

Lashanda recently earned an MSW from the University of South Carolina. Her previous experience includes domestic violence and victim advocacy work for Sistercare, Inc. and Ft. Jackson Solider & Family Readiness.

Chris holds a BS in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Charleston Southern University. Prior to joining the SC Campaign, Chris served as a Community Relations Specialist in Berkeley County (CAPP program) and as a Youth Specialist with CIS Charleston (MAPPS program). His primary responsibilities at the Campaign are to provide technical assistance and training to local providers on the implementation of science based approaches. Chris has also assumed day-to-day responsibilities for the SC Campaign's grant with the CDC.

Carol is a graduate of Claflin University with a Bachelors degree in Social Science and a graduate certificate in Social Work from Winthrop University. Carol worked for the Department of Social Services for 29.5 years during which time she worked in foster care, child protective services and prevention programs, to include Teen Companion and Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs. After her retirement, Carol joined the SC Campaign as the Senior Faith-Based Initiative Coordinator.

Carol is active in community and is affiliated with a number of organizations such as Francis Burns UMC, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Art Consultant, and Columbia Branch NAACP. Carol's hobby is reading and collecting books.

Kenya started with the Campaign in September 2005. She previously worked as an Administrative Specialist with the SCDSS/Child Support Enforcement Division for 10 years. Kenya began at the Campaign as our Front Desk Associate. In the two years that Kenya has been with the Campaign, she was promoted to Technical Assistance Associate and is now Forrest Alton's Executive Assistant as well as the Office Manager.

Taylor Wilson works in the SC Campaign’s Technical Assistance Department as a Technical Assistance Associate. She is the main contact for the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy’s Resource Library and works closely with providers around the state.

Taylor graduated Cum Laude from the USC Darla Moore School of Business with a degree in Marketing and Human Resources Management. She spent her time before the SC Campaign with the SC Council on Economic Education as an intern and assistant.

Dr. Boyd has been involved in health care for over 25 years. Her experience has ranged from management and primary care activities at the Brookside Park Family Life Center in Boston, Ma, to Vice President of Ambulatory Services at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, to Director of the MHA Program and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Administration of the USC Arnold School of Public Health, and to consulting in strategic planning and management. Dr. Boyd has a BS from Boston College, MS from Yale University, MBA from Simmons College, and a Dr.PH from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Boyd served as executive director of the SC Campaign for five years prior to passing the torch in December 2006.

Jennifer Kahn comes to the Campaign with a background in both counseling and human sexuality education. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Muhlenberg College and her Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in varied settings, but always with the intention of improving the lives of youth. She began her work at the Campaign focusing on the foster care system but has experience in alternative schools, McKinney homeless programs, dropout prevention and drug and alcohol prevention. Her work for the Campaign includes grant writing and research as well as facilitating the development of resources for the Campaign.

E. Michelle Thomas Nimmons is the director of the Bamberg County School/Community Sexual Risk Reduction Project for Teens also known as the Denmark-Olar Teen Life Center. This nationally recognized school based program was established in 1982 as a collaborative effort between USC School of Public Health and the citizens of Bamberg County. The comprehensive abstinence-based program provides age appropriate sexuality education to youth ages 8-19, includes a community awareness campaign, quarterly newsletter, monthly parent and child education sessions and trains peer educators. Michelle is a Winthrop College graduate with a degree in Family/Child Development and Social Work. Michelle also serves as Senior Program Consultant for the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

Linda Robinson has been spent over 25 years advocating for youth. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas with a BA in Geography, she completed two more years of study for certification as a middle and upper school science teacher. She taught middle school in Houston, Texas for three years before starting her own family. While raising children in Austin, Texas she became interested in early childhood education and was actively involved with the University of Texas Lab School in their 3 and 4 year-old program as well as Montessori education. After moving to South Carolina, she became a permanent substitute teacher at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School where she taught all subjects and grades for 7 years in a K-12th grade setting. This experience illustrated how important committed advocates are to the developing well-being of children. Coming from a medical family, she decided to go to nursing school where her interest in health and youth would find a voice. She graduated number one in her nursing class, and went straight to work in Public Health providing family planning and STI services. Her experiences there ignited her passion for adolescent health care and especially teen pregnancy prevention. While continuing to work at the Health Department, she earned a MSN with certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Today she continues her clinical work at the Richland County Health Department while providing contraceptive consultant services for the Campaign.

Schrendria has a Bachelor of Science degree from Clark Atlanta University. She received her Master of Public Health Degree, with a concentration in Health Promotion and Education from the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health in Columbia.

She has served as the project director for the CDC grant at the SC Campaign. She has also served as county program director for Lexington and Saluda County CAPP programs. And one of her most rewarding assignments was to serve as the Public Health Educator of the Fulton County Adolescent Health Clinic serving seven clinics throughout the greater Atlanta area.

Schrendria is a Certified Health Education Specialist and has presented at numerous local, state, and national conferences. Schrendria currently serves as the President of Clear Vision Seminars & Consulting, which specializes in organizational training and capacity building; non-profit development; grant writing and team building.