Amanda Stafford McRell is one of USC’s latest Rhude M. Patterson Fellowship recipients. The award is given to female graduate students to support studies and research.
McRell was recently awarded the fellowship in a Graduate School ceremony that recognized its 2025 student winners and Trustee Fellowship recipients.
The fellowship is dedicated to Rhude Meetze Patterson, a USC student who earned a master’s degree in psychology in 1952. She was the wife of William H. Patterson, USC's 24th president and served for three years as the curator of the University Collections. The fellowship, first awarded in 1983, grew out of Patterson’s concern that women were not receiving sufficient financial support for graduate studies.
As a one-time award, it’s given to students in memory of individuals who influenced particular fields of study and the University of South Carolina during their lifetimes.
Stafford used her dissertation, “Child-Caregiver Relational Closeness and Child Mental Health in Nonparental Care Settings”, to write a statement on her scholarship and research for the nomination process.
Her academic focus examines the mental health and well-being of children and families as they interact with policies, agencies and systems. McRell’s dissertation research includes study on global nonparental care systems and the relationship between child-caregiver closeness and child metal health. Her findings show that many formal and informal systems and policies within the care system reduce the likelihood that children will form strong bonds with their caregivers.
Recognition from the University of South Carolina Trustees marks a meaningful milestone for McRell.
“Being recognized by the University of South Carolina Trustees has boosted my confidence and reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a research career,” said McRell. “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and am committed to making meaningful contributions for children, families and communities.”
Ph.D. program director Kristen Seay said the award reflects both the strength of McRell’s academic record and her promise as a future scholar.
“Dr. McRell is an outstanding choice for the Rhude M. Patterson Fellowship, one of the top awards offered to graduate students at USC,” said Seay. “Amanda is exceptionally well prepared and has phenomenal scholarly potential for a successful research career. The recognition of her hard work is well deserved and we are fortunate to count her among our excellent graduates.”