That smiling face on the Angel Stadium scoreboard Sept. 20 was Chapman University’s Victoria Carty, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology in the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Carty was honored before the Los Angeles Angels game as a Wells Fargo Home Run Hero for her work with Higher Ground, an Anaheim nonprofit that provides mentoring for youth and their families in at-risk communities.

Carty’s work is just one of many Chapman efforts supporting Higher Ground, among them a Dodge College of Film and Media Arts course in which Chapman students help youngsters create their own TV shows.

In addition to overseeing Higher Ground internships and independent-study opportunities by Chapman students, Carty also organizes workshops for Higher Ground families that provide college information such as how to apply for and seek financial aid.