2026 Ruth Hamilton Award presented to Sociology senior Corinne Mansour

April 20, 2026 - Karessa Weir

MSU Sociology is awarding this year’s Ruth Hamilton Award to senior Corinne Mansour.  

The Ruth Hamilton Award is one of MSU's ‘All-University Awards for Excellence,’ which has a perpetual endowment and is named after Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, a distinguished sociologist whose work over decades made major contributions to the understanding of the African Diaspora. Dr. Hamilton also made significant contributions to sociological theory and our understanding of international migration, urbanization, and inequality. 

Corinne was nominated for the award by Dr. Sarah Prior, Undergraduate Program Director and Associate Professor of Sociology. 

“She has consistently demonstrated excellence in her academic work and her engagement in creating a better world for others. Corinne shines in all that she undertakes,” Dr. Prior said. “Her deep concern and commitment for creating and sustaining environments that are empathetic, justice-oriented, and engaging is readily apparent to all those who interact with her. I have no doubts that Corinne will go on to do amazingly helpful and positive things for those she works with. The field of social work is so lucky to have such a dedicated and motivated human!” 

For Corinne, sociology is about both finding and using your voice.  

“In sociology, your voice and perspectives are critical for meaningful classroom discussions and for challenging dominant narratives beyond the university,” Corinne said. “Your voice is recognized and your opinions are welcome.” 

Growing up in nearby DeWitt, Corinne said she was “raised a Spartan” and first enrolled at MSU as an elementary education major. She made several switches from there until taking Dr. Monique Kelly’s SOC 214 Social Inequality.  

“I just knew then that sociology was for me and I decided to pursue it full time,” Corinne said. “We addressed topics that challenged my previous understandings and made me deeply reflect on my privilege. Through conversations about disenfranchised populations and systemic barriers that prevent equal access to spaces, I knew advocating for human rights was the path I was meant to follow.” 

Among her favorite sociology courses was SOC 315 Family and Society with Dr. Clifford Broman. She had always been interested in adverse childhood experiences and family relations, but taking this class put her on a solid path to a future as a social worker.  

“Corinne is one of the best and brightest students that I have ever known,” Dr. Broman said. “Corinne is a wonderful person, with superior intelligence and a compassion for people. She is a truly outstanding young person. In my interactions with her, I have observed her intellectual ability, diligence, and quest for excellence. Corinne is also a person who really understands and knows how to work well with people from all walks of life. She is the kind of person who can lead either through discussion or by example. She is extremely observant of her surroundings and always asks extremely profound and critical questions about the world around her. Corinne’s leadership abilities and ability to work with people are very impressive. Corinne is also a well-rounded and fun person, with a variety of outside interests including comedy, trivia, and physical activity.” 

Corinne will be pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Chicago this upcoming fall, working towards the goal of practicing as a medical social worker in healthcare settings. 

She is also in the Bailey Scholars Program and has worked as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant (ULA) for six courses, including currently working with Sociology Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer Carrera.  

“Corinne is one of those unforgettable students that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to travel overlapping roads with. She is energetic, driven, very bright, and will go far in her passions. She is also a deeply thoughtful and empathetic person who collects skills and resources to be a person that others can count upon if needed,” Dr. Carrera said. “As my ULA, Corinne is readily accessible to students in class, anticipating solutions to questions that the students have. Over the course of a year of knowing Corinne, I have witnessed her drive and passion to learn new skills and have new professional experiences to pursue a robust skillset in preparation for her future career.” 
 
For other students searching for a way to make real-world differences, she recommends looking closely at majoring in sociology. 

“It challenges you to expand your world view, reflect on personal biases, and approach complex social issues, such as poverty, domestic violence, and substance use disorders, with a critical lens,” she said, adding that she advises students to reach out to Sociology faculty for conversations about their interests.  

Dr. Carla A. Pfeffer, Chair of the Department of Sociology said: “Students like Corinne are an example of what makes Sociology so special. Our students are prepared not only with the tools to conduct rigorous social scientific study and analysis of some of our society’s most challenging problems, they’re also at the forefront of working to solve them. I am certain that Corinne’s next steps in graduate studies will further advance her work to make our society more equitable and to establish Spartans at the forefront of effective, positive, social change efforts.”