Eight USM Students Receive Citizen Scholars Distinction

Thu, 12/14/2023 - 01:46pm

The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Center for Community Engagement (CCE) has announced eight students who have 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 show a deep commitment to service and have spent significant time engaging with the community throughout their academic studies,” said Christy Kayser, director of CCE. “These opportunities allow students to gain a better understanding of how their unique skills and chosen profession can positively impact the communities in which they will soon be working and living.”

All of the students recognized graduated this fall or are scheduled to graduate in spring 2024. 

A summary of each Citizen Scholar’s accomplishments is included here:

Katie Carlisle, a nursing major from Petal, Miss., completed 334 service hours through volunteer work with organizations including Asbury Hospice House, Abbie Rogers Civitan Camp, the ARC of Southeast Mississippi, and Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center. Katie’s community-engaged learning experience was a 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 from Lucedale, Miss., completed 105 service hours through volunteer work with organizations including Forrest General Hospital, Asbury Hospice House, and George County Senior Center. Serena’s community-engaged learning experience was a 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 from Horn Lake, Miss., completed 111 service hours through volunteer work with organizations such as Hattiesburg STEAM Academy, Mason Elementary, and Christian Services. Tylan's community-engaged learning experience was a research project through the Mississippi INBRE Program where he examined the relationship between levels of social and emotional support and chronic disease status in Mississippi and Louisiana adults.

Victoria Monnin, an English licensure major from Slidell, La., completed 107 service hours through volunteer work with Southern Pines Animal Shelter and Mission Acceleration tutoring program. Victoria’s community-engaged learning experience was a teaching practicum at Oak Grove Middle School and Petal High School where she served as a teaching assistant for a middle and high school English teacher.

Bryan Nevills, a biological sciences major from Southhaven, Miss., completed 103 service hours through volunteer work with Forrest General Hospital and various youth mentorship initiatives through USM’s chapter of Men of Excellence. Bryan’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.

Nuriel Perkins, a biological sciences major from Memphis, Tenn., completed 100 service hours through volunteer work with organizations such as Forrest General Hospital and Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center. Nuriel’s community-engaged learning experience was an internship with Habitat for Humanity, where she supported the administration functions of the organization, learning about the impact of housing initiatives and the collaborative efforts made to create positive change.

Khloe Shafer, an elementary education major from Laurel, Miss., completed 106 service hours through volunteer work with I-ROCK Academy at Rowan Elementary School, Sumrall Elementary School, and Richton High School’s baseball team. Khloe’s community-engaged learning experience was her teaching practicum at Thames Elementary School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

Camrell Williams, a biological sciences major with minors in chemistry and psychology from Clinton, Miss., completed 100 service hours through volunteer work with USM’s Student Accessibility Services, Christian Services, and various volunteer initiatives through the Lambda Theta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Camrell’s community-engaged learning experience was with the Forrest General Ambassador Program where she delivered flowers to patient’s rooms, helped families navigate the hospital, and had genuine conversations with visitors and patients in the hospital.

More information about the Citizen Scholars program can be found online or questions can be addressed to Christy%20Kayser.

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, call 601.266.6467.