Twenty-Five 91短视频Miss Students Graduate with Citizen Scholar Distinction
Thu, 06/05/2025 - 09:04am | By: Christy Kayser
91短视频鈥檚 (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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� said Christy Kayser, director of CCE. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Creative Learning Center. Hunter鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 91短视频Pines Animal Shelter, Mississippi Aquarium and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Courtney鈥檚 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鈥檚 Vietnamese Student Organization, Forrest General Hospital, and Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Program. Asia鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project coordinating USMVSA鈥檚 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鈥檚 Center for Communication and Development and Children鈥檚 of Mississippi pediatric hospital. Autumn鈥檚 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鈥檚 Nest Food Pantry and as a daily assistant for an individual with disabilities. Alaina鈥檚 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 鈥淟ily鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Center for Communication and Development, Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt, and Edwards Street Fellowship Center. Evann鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project designing and building a human foosball rink for the campus at 91短视频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, 91短视频Pines Animal Shelter and Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt. Lovie鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 91短视频Pines Animal Shelter, Christian Services, Inc., the Pine Belt Foundation, and as a volunteer notetaker for students with disabilities. Tatum鈥檚 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鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was a leadership project to enhance mental health awareness called Write It and Wing It.
Charles 鈥淐hip鈥� 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鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was serving as a Community Outreach Intern with the Gulf South Center for Community Engaged Health Research.
Mary Grace 鈥淕racie鈥� 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鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was a community- engaged Honors thesis titled 鈥淩evitalizing Hattiesburg Downtown: A Brand Experience Replication and Extension.鈥�
Peter 鈥淐ade鈥� McCormick, a nursing major from Tupelo, Miss., volunteered with Extra Table, Kid鈥檚 Hub Child Advocacy Center, Forrest General Hospital and Sanctuary Hospice House. Cade鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was a community-engaged Honors thesis titled 鈥淧erceptions of Mississippi Parents of Youth and Young Adults with Autism Regarding Relationship Training and Sex Education.鈥�
Courtney Moran, a psychology major from Mantachie, Miss., served with Gallant Hearts Guide Dog Center as a volunteer guide dog trainer. Courtney鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was a community- engaged Honors thesis titled 鈥淧aralympic Athletes鈥� Perspectives on Necessary Factors to Improve the Health and Performance Among Team USA.鈥�
Brianna 鈥淏ea鈥� 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鈥檚 community-engaged learning experience was overseeing the Men of Excellence Men's Summit, a leadership, networking and men鈥檚 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, 91短视频Pines Animal Shelter and the Student Health Ambassadors program. MaryKatherine鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 91短视频Mississippi campus and throughout the Hattiesburg community. To learn more about the CCE at 91短视频Miss, visit their website.