Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, affectionately known as Shiggs, is the VP for Student Affairs, liaison to the Springs Close and Springsteen Foundations (which fund the Close Scholars initiatives), and advisor to the Close Scholars. Shiggs has been the trip advisor/chaperone to the Global Close Scholars for five years. Her responsibilities include co-planning trip logistics, leading pre-immersion experiences, and providing daily blogs recapping the days' activities during the trip. Shiggs has accompanied students to England, France, Costa Rica, Greece, and Peru. She is excited to join students on this journey to Japan.

Sydney Burkhalter is a sophomore dance major, theatre minor at Winthrop University. Apart from all things dance and theatre, she enjoys drawing, writing, reading, and cooking.

Hello! My name is Erica Jenkins and I am senior Business Administration with a concentration in Management with a minor in accounting. I am a four-year scholar that is very appreciative for the Close Scholars program offering many opportunities to actively serve in the local community and to grow as a student leader. After graduation, I will be attending graduate school to receive my Masters of Accountancy to become a Tax Accountant and sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. 

My name is Tymia Lamb, a Senior Dance major with a minor in Psychology here at Winthrop University. I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity to be able to travel to Tokyo, I am wager to experience the culture but most of all the food! 

Sean is a senior mathematics major from Lexington, SC. He loves being involved around campus and finding ways to serve. Sean served as an Orientation Leader for two years and he currently serves as the student body president, a Close Scholar, a Teaching Fellow, a member of Pi Kappa Phi, and a Winthrop Ambassador. He is very excited about this opportunity to travel with the Close Scholars!

Hi! My name is Julia Perryman and this will be my third time abroad and I am so excited to experience another culture. I love to travel and try new things! 

My name is Kymoree Wynn. I am a senior Integrated Marketing Communications Major. I am involved in many organizations on campus because I am interested in becoming an active leader at Winthrop and provide affective change. I joined the Close Scholars program because of my interest in helping the community as I did in high school.