Center for Community Engagement
Citizen Scholars Graduates
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Full List of USM Citizen Scholars Fall 2022- current
Learn more about the Citizen Scholars program
Spring 2025
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Hunter Blansett, a child and family sciences major from Columbia, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as American Legion Auxiliary Unit 90 and Little People’s Creative Learning Center. Hunter’s community-engaged learning experience was a nonprofit internship with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit. |
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Abigail Bowers, Library and Information Sciences major from Highland, Illinois, volunteered with organizations including the African American History Military Museum and the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Program. Abigail’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project repairing and stocking Little Free Libraries in Hattiesburg, MS. |
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Courtney Boyd, a marine biology major with minors in chemistry and business administration from Long Beach, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as the Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Mississippi Aquarium, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Courtney’s community-engaged learning experience was a nonprofit internship with the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. |
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Asia Bui, a health science major with minors in public health and psychology from Long Beach, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as USM’s Vietnamese Student Organization, Forrest General Hospital, and Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Program. Asia’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project coordinating USMVSA’s philanthropic Tet Festival (Lunar New Year Festival). |
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Autumn Burkhalter, a speech pathology major and psychology minor from Sumrall, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations including The Children’s Center for Communication and Development and Children’s of Mississippi pediatric hospital. Autumn’s community-engaged learning experience was completing two service-learning courses, IDS 110 Citizenship Seminar in Service Learning and IDS 450 Practicum in Leadership Development. Each course required her to conduct a semester-long, course-related service activity. |
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Alaina Chasteen, a political science major and nonprofit studies minor from Blue Springs, Missouri, volunteered with Eagle’s Nest Food Pantry and as a daily assistant for an individual with disabilities. Alaina’s community-engaged learning experience was completing two service-learning courses, SOC 405 Nonprofit Studies and IDS 450 Practicum in Leadership Development. Each of these courses required her to conduct a semester-long, course-related service activity. |
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Lillian “Lily” Collins, a legal studies (pre-law) major and history minor from Meridian, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center, Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, and Edwards Street Fellowship Center. Lily’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project coordinating the Kappa Delta Shamrock and 5K Run, which benefited the Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center. |
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Evann Davis, an architectural engineering technology major and interior design minor from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, volunteered with the USM Wesley, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development, Habitat for Humanity of the Pinebelt, and Edwards Street Fellowship Center. Evann’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project designing and building a human foosball rink for the campus at Southern Miss. |
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Lovie Dignowity, a health science major with minors in sociology and psychology from Byhalia, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as Desoto County 4-H, Southern Pines Animal Shelter, and Habitat for Humanity of the Pinebelt. Lovie’s community-engaged learning experience was completing two service-learning courses, IDS 110 Citizenship Seminar in Service Learning and IDS 450 Practicum in Leadership Development. Each of these courses required her to conduct a semester-long, course-related service activity. |
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Holly Eckman, a business management major and hospitality and tourism management minor from Gulfport, Mississippi, volunteered with Weed to Lead (campus beautification effort), as a volunteer notetaker for students with disabilities, and as a tutor at Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center. Holly’s community engaged learning experience was completing two service-learning courses IDS 110 Citizenship Seminar in Service Learning and IDS 450 Practicum in Leadership Development. Each of these courses required her to conduct a semester-long community service activity relevant to course content. |
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Destiny Fagan, a kinesiology major from Moss Point, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as HOB Community Development Corporation, Bellevue Assisted Living, and The Family YMCA of Southeast Mississippi. Destiny’s community-engaged learning experience was a nonprofit internship with Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County. |
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Savannah Goddard, an elementary education major from Petal, Mississippi, volunteered throughout her time at college with the USO at Camp Shelby. Savannah’s community-engaged learning experience was completing a semester-long practicum at Petal Primary Schools. |
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Tatum Hansen, an interior design major and management minor from Madison, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Christian Services, Inc., the Pinebelt Foundation, and as a volunteer notetaker for students with disabilities. Tatum’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project for the College Vote Project. |
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Destiny Keys, a biology (biomedical science) major and chemistry and sociology minor from Brookhaven, Mississippi, served as a volunteer notetaker for students with disabilities for five academic semesters. Destiny’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project to enhance mental health awareness called Write It and Wing It. |
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Charles “Chip” Lewis, a biological sciences major from Petal, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as Lighthouse Rescue Mission, Extra Table, Forrest General Hospice Foundation, and the Hattiesburg Half Marathon. Charles’s community-engaged learning experience was serving as a Community Outreach Intern with the Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research. |
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Mary Grace “Gracie” Lewis, a marketing major and Spanish minor from Sumrall, Mississippi, served with Make-a-Wish Foundation, Downtown Hattiesburg Association, New Hope Animal Shelter, and as a volunteer notetaker for students with disabilities. Gracie’s community-engaged learning experience was a community- engaged Honors thesis titled “Revitalizing Hattiesburg Downtown: A Brand Experience Replication and Extension.” |
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Peter “Cade” McCormick, a nursing major from Tupelo, Mississippi, volunteered with Extra Table, Kid’s Hub Child Advocacy Center, Forrest General Hospital, and Sanctuary Hospice House. Cade’s community-engaged learning experience was a community-engaged Honors thesis titled “Perceptions of Mississippi Parents of Youth and Young Adults with Autism Regarding Relationship Training and Sex Education.” |
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Courtney Moran, a psychology major from Mantachie, Mississippi, served with Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center as a volunteer guide dog trainer. Courtney’s community-engaged learning experience was a service immersion trip focused on community development in Costa Rica. |
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McKalyn Nelson, a conservation biology major from Brandon, Mississippi, volunteered with Freedom Ranch Wildlife Center and Worthy Stables Therapeutic Horsemanship. Mack’s community-engaged learning experience was a nonprofit internship with Lake Thoreau Environmental Center. |
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Cali Reinhart, an elementary education major from Diamondhead, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as North Bay Elementary School, Eagles Nest Food Pantry, St. Clare Community Center, and Aldersgate Mission. Cali’s community-engaged learning experience was a semester-long practicum at Rowan Elementary School. |
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Lauren Sullivan, kinesiology major and strength and conditioning minor from Magee, Mississippi, volunteered as a student athletic trainer. Lauren’s community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project training guide dogs for Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center. |
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Heather Thornhill, a kinesiology exercise science major from Hernando, Mississippi, volunteered as a student ambassador with Forrest General Hospital for three years. Heather’s community-engaged learning experience was a community- engaged Honors thesis titled “Paralympic Athletes’ Perspectives on Necessary Factors to Improve the Health and Performance Among Team USA.” |
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Bea Twilbeck, a psychology and sociology double major from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, served as a RISE Student Partner with the Institute for Disability Studies and as afterschool volunteer at Aldersgate Mission. Bea conducted community-engaged research on mentoring at-risk youth in partnership with the Forrest County Juvenile Detention Center. |
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Carl White, a kinesiotherapy major from Madison, Mississippi, volunteered with Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center, Christian Services, Inc., Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Program, Hattiesburg Police Athletic League, and several area schools. Carl’s community-engaged learning experience was overseeing the Men of Excellence Men's Summit, a leadership, networking, and men’s health event for campus and community leaders. |
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MaryKatherine Wilkinson, a forensic anthropology major from Rich, Mississippi, volunteered with organizations such as Forrest General Hospital, Edward Street Fellowship Center, Southern Pines Animal Shelter, and the Student Health Ambassadors program. MaryKatherine’s community-engaged learning experience was a nonprofit internship with Edwards Street Fellowship Center. |
Fall 2024 - see news article
Anders Estorge - public health administration and policy major, completed a non-profit internship with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)
Lora Rester, a child and family sciences (child development) major, completed community-based practicum with local daycare
Spring 2024 see news article
Cal-Detria Anderson – elementary education major, completed a practicum with Bellevue Elementary school
Braxton Bailey – criminal justice major, completed a nonprofit internship with Juvenile Detention Center
Kenning Bridges – political science (pre-law) major, coordinator of Kappa Delta Shamrock 5K (community-engaged leadership project)
Charity Brock – a child and family science major, completed a nonprofit internship with Kids Hub
Elizabeth Collum – communications major, completed two service learning courses (CMS 490 and IDS 110)
Jordyn Cook – a nursing BSN major, coordinator of Kappa Delta Shamrock 5K Costume Contest (community-engaged leadership project)
Madison Delancey – elementary education major, completed fall 2023 elementary education practicum
Kylie Faulkner – conservation biology major, completed a nonprofit internship with Lake Thoreau Environment Center
Z’eani Furdge – video arts major & community engagement video (community-engaged leadership project)
Allison Hanby – child and family sciences major hours, completed a nonprofit internship with Youth Villages
Madisyn Killough – elementary education major, completed a practicum at Thames Elementary School
Jannie Nguyen – political science major, completed two service learning courses – IDS 110 and SPA 344
Zacchaeus Wallace - a polymer science and engineering major, completed a community-engaged leadership project (Eaglethon)
Kayla White – computer engineering major, completed a community-engaged leadership project (STEM Program) with Aldersgate Mission
Fall 2023 - see news article
Katie Carlisle - a nursing major who completed a community-engaged leadership project overseeing Kappa Delta’s Shamrock 5K, a fundraiser to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) and Kids Hub.
Serena Howell - a nursing major who completed a community-engaged leadership project overseeing Chi Omega’s Songfest, a holiday-themed musical performance and silent auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Tylan Hunt- a biological science major with emphasis in biomedical sciences and minor in chemistry completed a community-engaged research project through the Mississippi INBRE Program
Victoria Monnin - an English licensure major completed a community-engaged teaching practicum at Oak Grove Middle School and Petal High School
Bryan Nevills - a biological sciences major who completed a community-engaged leadership project with the Men of Excellence Men's Summit
Nuriel Perkins - a biological sciences major, completed a nonprofit internship with Habitat for Humanity
Khloe Shafer - an elementary education major completed a community-engaged teaching practicum at Thames Elementary School
Camrell Williams - a biological sciences major who completed a nonprofit internship with Forrest General Hospital
Spring 2023 - see news article
Bailey Davis – completed a service immersion experience with Special Olympics over the summer
Avery Dickerson – completed a community engaged leadership project as coordinator of It’s on Us week
Camryn Harris – completed a nonprofit internship with Forrest General
Olivia Knight – completed a community engaged leadership project as coordinator of the Do Good Week for Delta Gamma
Genesis Mann – completed a nonprofit internship with Osceola McCarty Youth Development Center
Clancy Slay – completed a community engaged leadership project as Make-a-Wish liaison for Chi Omega sorority.
Mary Cate Sliman – completed a nonprofit internship with Forrest General
Joseph Tarver – completed a community engaged leadership project as coordinator of the Sigma Phi Chili Cookoff benefiting Extra Table
Angel Walker – completed a nonprofit internship with the National Cancer Institute
Fall 2022 - see news article
Carrington Brown - completed community-engaged research with MS INBRE
Sarah Mitchell - completed a community-engaged leadership project called Eggroll Fest through which the Vietnamese Student Association makes eggrolls and sells them to benefit a Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP).
Emily Rushing - completed a nonprofit internship with Forrest General Hospital
Demecia Edmond - completed a nonprofit internship with Pinebelt Mental Healthcare Resources
