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Riceboro native in line for job with CDC
Life AP edu Grant
Kenneth Grant sits in one of his offices. - photo by Photo provided.
Kenneth Eli Grant of Riceboro has recently been selected into the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Emerging Leaders Program.
The program was signed by President Clinton in 2000 and allows promising individuals with graduate degrees to obtain critical training and become leaders throughout the U.S. federal government agencies.
Of 3,300 applicants, 96 were selected for interviews, and Grant was one of 48 candidates admitted.
He will begin his position in the administrative track as research scientist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta from July 2007-July 2009.  
Throughout the program, Grant will undergo rotations with CDC, with the potential to complete assignments with the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, Indian Health Service, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other agencies.
Permanent positions are often offered after completing the program.
Applicants were chosen for interviews after an initial review of resumes and letters of recommendation, with several interviews in April at the national headquarters in Washington.
Last year Grant was one of 17 fellows chosen nationwide to complete the Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Summer Research Fellowship Program with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Grant is a recipient of the Georgia Public Health Association Scholarship, served as junior deacon with the New Testament House of Prayer in Riceboro, was a graduate administrative assistant with the dean of education at Armstrong Atlantic State University, student assistant with the Departments of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, Honors Program, and English at Valdosta State University, customer service representative with the Defense Commissary Agency, guest services/hospitality management intern with the Walt Disney World Co., mental health intern with Darsey Black amd Associates in Hinesville, certified peer educator with Bacchus & Gamma Foundation, certified in first aid and adult CPR, member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key International Honour Society, Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Chi Honor Society, National Scholars Honor Society, president of the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society-Valdosta State University Chapter, National Dean’s List, Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, four-year baritone singer with the Valdosta State University Concert Choir, vice captain of intramural basketball team at VSU,  recipient of the Dixie Crystals Graduate Foundation Scholarship at AASU, Coastal Electric Cooperative Scholarship and the Valdosta State University Freshman Scholar award.
Grant has been admitted into the doctor of public health program in community health behavior and education at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University beginning fall, but has deferred enrollment.  
He has graduated summa cum laude from Armstrong with a 4.0 gpa in 2006 with his master’s of public health degree.
He is a 2000 graduate of Liberty County High School.
Upon completion of the program, Grant plans to remain with CDC, obtain his doctorate, and pursue a career with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Grant is one of triplet sons of David Grant Jr., of Riceboro and the late Carolyn Elaine Darby Ham.
He was also reared by paternal aunt and uncle, Mamie and Willie Halsell Sr., of Midway. His maternal grandparents are Bertha Pearline Nelson Darby of Orangeburg, S.C. and the late Arthur Wastine Darby Sr.  
His paternal grandparents are the late Louisiana Fagan Grant Askew and David Grant Sr.
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