Monique Garvin

Monique is native of Greenville, SC. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Professional Writing from Winthrop University and dual Master degrees in Public Administration and Social Work from University of South Carolina.

Monique Patton Garvin is the Acting Director of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Programs and the State Human Trafficking Task Force at the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. She comes to this role with over a decade of professional experience in the fields of education, social work, community advocacy, public health, with an emphasis on the effects of trauma and abuse across the lifespan.

Prior to her role, Monique served as the VAWA Program Coordinator for the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. She coordinated statewide trainings for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other service providers on the topics of domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, stalking and harassment. While in this position, Monique provided technical assistance to Sexual Assault Response Teams and Domestic Violence Council Coordinating Councils statewide. She also coordinated the Annual Silent Witness Program to honor victims of domestic violence homicides. Monique’s experience also includes serving as a 2014 corps member for Teach for America. She taught middle and high school math in Colleton and Clarendon Counties. Her background also includes providing residential care to unaccompanied and system-involved youth in Richland County, as well as supporting victims of domestic violence seeking emergency housing in York County. 

Monique is a charter member of the COLA City Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., a national service organization focused on uplifting women and serving teens through their Top Teens Program. She has also served in several other academic programs and community organizations, including being selected as a University of South Carolina Graduate Civic Scholar and serving as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also the former vice-chair of the Board of Directors at the Hive Community Circle, a survivor-led, survivor-driven support organization helping women and girls in South Carolina overcome the trauma of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking.

On the 10th Anniversary of Teach for America South Carolina, Monique was spotlighted for her impact as a 2014 corps member and her current work in domestic violence and sexual assault. Monique is a 2022 recipient of the Service Award from Columbia Fashion Week and was recognized as Best and Brightest 35 and Under by Columbia Business Monthly in 2022.