Two UM Staff Make Top 20 Under 40 Young Professionals List

Oxford Magazine and the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce named Sam Gilbert, clinical assistant professor of teacher education, and Cortney Hemphill, program manager and confidential advocate in the Office of Confidential Advocacy, Support and Education, to their Top 20 Under 40 list.

"Receiving this award is an incredible honor, and it's humbling to be recognized by the Oxford community," Gilbert said. "This award isn't just a personal achievement, but more so a reflection of the support I've had from my family, friends and mentors who have all played a significant role in my life."

A Grenada native, Gilbert joined the Ole Miss faculty in 2023. Before coming to UM, she taught for four years at Batesville Intermediate School In 2016, she was named Teacher of the Year for the South Panola School District.

She has served on the High-Quality Instructional Materials Review Committee for EdReports and Exemplar Unit Writing Committee Member for the Mississippi Department of Education. Gilbert contributed to the development of Reading Universe, which is produced by three premier nonprofit organizations: WETA/Reading Rockets, the Barksdale Reading Institute and First Book.

Gilbert also works with the Junior Auxiliary of Oxford and the Reading Pals project at Della Davidson Elementary School.

Originally from Dyersburg, Tennessee, Hemphill earned her bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences, with a concentration in child and family studies, from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2010. She has lived in Oxford since 2020.

With UM a little over a year, Hemphill provides confidential advocacy and support to students affected by sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and harassment. She also serves as staff adviser for Rallying Against Sexual Assault.

"This honor is due largely to my family, friends and colleagues who have encouraged and believed in me throughout my life and career," she said. "I believe this is also a tribute to the great work our office does to help serve the university community.

"My hope is this helps more people to be aware of the services offered in our office."

Gilbert, Hemphill and other honorees were recognized during a ceremony on Oct. 2.