Twenty-Five Southern Miss Students Graduate with Citizen Scholar Distinction

Thu, 06/05/2025 - 09:04am | By: Christy Kayser

The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Center for Community Engagement (CCE) has announced 25 graduating seniors who completed requirements for the USM Citizen Scholars distinction, a recognition for students demonstrating significant involvement in community engagement.

The Citizen Scholars program recognizes undergraduate students who have made significant contributions to their communities by incorporating service and community engagement into their academic experience. Students who earn 100+ service hours, participate in a community-engaged learning experience, and complete a reflective exit interview are eligible to be recognized as Citizen Scholars.

“The Citizen Scholars program recognizes students who have a deep commitment to serving others and introduces them to the many different ways they can use their unique skills and passions to positively impact the community,” said Christy Kayser, director of CCE. “We are proud of these students for going the extra mile in college to give back to their communities and gain hands-on experience that further develops their interpersonal and leadership skills.”

Students in the program can volunteer with a variety of community-based organizations to earn 100 service hours. They may also choose from several options on how to satisfy the community-engaged learning requirement, such as interning with a nonprofit organization, enrolling in two service-learning classes, or implementing a leadership project that benefits the community.

The following students graduated with the Citizen Scholar distinction this spring. A summary of each student’s activities is below.

Hunter Blansett, a child and family sciences major from Columbia, Miss., 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.

Abigail Bowers, Library and Information Sciences major from Highland, Ill., 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.

Courtney Boyd, a marine biology major with minors in chemistry and business administration from Long Beach, Miss., 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.

Asia Bui, a health science major with minors in public health and psychology from Long Beach, Miss., 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).

Autumn Burkhalter, a speech pathology major and psychology minor from Sumrall, Miss., 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 of these courses required her to conduct a semester-long community service activity relevant to course content.

Alaina Chasteen, a political science major and nonprofit studies minor from Blue Springs, Mo., 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 community service activity relevant to course content.

Lillian “Lily” Collins, a legal studies (pre-law) major and history minor from Meridian, Miss., 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.

Evann Davis, an architectural engineering technology major and interior design minor from Hattiesburg, Miss., volunteered with the USM Wesley, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development, Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt, 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.

Lovie Dignowity, a health science major with minors in sociology and psychology from Byhalia, Miss., volunteered with organizations such as Desoto County 4-H, Southern Pines Animal Shelter and Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt. 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 community service activity relevant to course content.

Holly Eckman, a business management major and hospitality and tourism management minor from Gulfport, Miss., 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.

Destiny Fagan, a kinesiology major from Moss Point, Miss., 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.

Savannah Goddard, an elementary education major from Petal, Miss., 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 School.

Tatum Hansen, an interior design major and management minor from Madison, Miss., volunteered with organizations such as Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Christian Services, Inc., the Pine Belt 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.

Destiny Keys, a biology (biomedical science) major and chemistry and sociology minor from Brookhaven, Miss., 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.

Charles “Chip” Lewis, a biological sciences major from Petal, Miss., 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.

Mary Grace “Gracie” Lewis, a marketing major and Spanish minor from Sumrall, Miss., 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.”

Peter “Cade” McCormick, a nursing major from Tupelo, Miss., 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.”

Courtney Moran, a psychology major from Mantachie, Miss., 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.

McKalyn Nelson, a conservation biology major from Brandon, Miss., 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.

Cali Reinhart, an elementary education major from Diamondhead, Miss., 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.

Lauren Sullivan, kinesiology major and strength and conditioning minor from Magee, Miss., 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.

Heather Thornhill, a kinesiology exercise science major from Hernando, Miss., 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.”

Brianna “Bea” Twilbeck, a psychology and sociology double major from Ocean Springs, Miss., 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.

Carl White, a kinesiotherapy major from Madison, Miss., 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.

MaryKatherine Wilkinson, a forensic anthropology major from Rich, Miss., 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.

More information about the Citizen Scholars program can be found online. For questions, please contact Christy Kayser, director of USM’s Center for Community Engagement, at 601.266.6467 or by email.

The Center for Community Engagement promotes service and service-learning on The University of Southern Mississippi campus and throughout the Hattiesburg community. To learn more about the CCE at Southern Miss, visit their website.