Advocacy has always been a driving force for Rylie Voyles, especially when it comes to causes close to her heart, so she was determined to find a way to make a difference during her time on campus. Her sophomore year, she began collaborating with her public health professor, Dr. Tiffany Marcantonio, in a lab focused on consent, alcohol, and sexual assault. Through this experience, Rylie discovered a deep passion for issues surrounding consent, women’s health, and sexual and domestic violence, which ultimately opened new pathways for her future.
As a public health student, Rylie needed to complete an internship her senior year. She quickly recognized the Camellia Center would be the perfect fit, since their mission and work on campus aligned with her interests.
“I saw that they were able to make a difference directly here on campus, which is not always something that is super easy to do…. I knew friends of mine that had used the services at the [Camellia Center], the free counseling, and how that positively impacted their lives. So I wanted to be a part of something that impacted students that were just like me and then [be] able to see the change that we’re making,” she said.
The Camellia Center provided more for Rylie than a place to do good work; it offered her the professionally focused community and connection she was looking for on campus. The Camellia Center became a place where she met like-minded people and enjoyed the company of others who shared her interests.
“Having a place where I felt a home away from home or a sense of community was so important. I was a member of the Greek community for a long time and loved my time with my sorority, but as I got older and started working on more professional connections, working at the [Camellia Center] was just a good way to do that. I felt like I walked in the first day and everyone was so nice and really cared about me.”
Rylie says the biggest growth she’s experienced during her internship has come from the chance to practice public speaking. A large part of her role involves giving presentations, and she usually does them four to five times a week – sometimes even up to ten!
“This has really helped my confidence in being able to stand in front of a room and talk about a topic that might not always be the easiest or even just presenting in general,” she said.
Included in the curriculum for public health majors is acquiring and enhancing program planning skills. There is a whole class dedicated to this! During her internship, Rylie worked with program coordinators to evaluate the different areas offered by the Camellia Center to make sure they were meeting the goals and educational experiences needed for these programs. Through her work on various programs, Rylie found herself particularly drawn to the Greek Safe program, where her past involvement provided a meaningful connection to her current role. Greek Safe is a peer education program where the Camellia Center partners with the Greek community to equip members to serve as knowledgeable resources in their chapters. They facilitate conversation within the chapter on interpersonal violence and connect members to campus and community resources.
“I was a member of the same program earlier on in my undergraduate [career], so getting to see it from the more administrative side, getting to do the presentations and interact with students that are just like me and how we can help our community grow and become more aware of issues going on here on campus has been really rewarding.”
Rylie says her internship with the Camellia Center strengthened her passion for advocating on behalf of those affected by domestic violence and assault. As a woman in this field, she feels the work is particularly vital, given how often these issues remain unspoken and how women are far more likely to experience sexual and domestic violence in their lifetimes than men. She is committed to providing students with reassurance, letting them know they are not alone, and that support is always accessible.
“A lot of students chose not to report for a multitude of reasons, but I just felt so strongly about making that change or at least letting students know that it gets better, and that people are there to help them,” she said.
Perhaps the most impactful moment of Rylie’s internship happened when she was interacting with donors. A woman let her know that she used the Camellia Center and said it saved her life. She said the counseling services offered helped her turn her life around. This interaction not only deepened her appreciation for the work, but it also solidified her passion for supporting others in similar situations.
“Getting to do things like that has really helped me build a sense of even more empathy than I already had and just an understanding for the things that people go through,” she said.
The Camellia Center was more than just a place for Rylie to grow – it was where she built lasting professional connections. It gave her a sense of belonging that felt both comforting and empowering. After graduating in December, Rylie accepted a full-time position as a program coordinator for the Camellia Center, where she brings both confidence and expertise to her role. The skills and experiences she gained during her time as a student at the Capstone helped equip and prepare her for this next chapter.