USCA's outstanding senior lends a hand to those in need

Soon after USC Aiken senior Misty Kelley participates in commencement exercises as the outstanding senior graduate Thursday, she will interview for a public relations internship with the Children's Health Care.

Kelley, a communications major and Beech Island native, is hopeful and excited about the opportunity because it's exactly the kind of position she wants. She can look back at her own childhood for that.

"I've had four open-heart surgeries, the first one when I was a week old," Kelley said. "The last one occurred when I was 4¬½, an aortic valve replacement."

Her personal experiences led to an interest in working with children. Her parents, Malcom and Angela Kelley of Atlanta, never held her back, and her mom has been a tremendous influence through her work as a nurse practitioner.

Kelley also connects well with children, she said, through extensive community service with children's homes and other nonprofits.

She was surprised and honored by her selection as USCA's latest outstanding senior graduate. Kelley didn't expect the recognition, having spent less than two years on campus after transferring from USC Columbia, where she originally was a nursing student. In a format statement, communications professor Dr. Charmaine Wilson praised Kelley's determination and focus.

"She is a giving person, and serving her community is her passion," said Wilson. "She does not do the things she does to gain recognition. She does what she does because she genuinely cares about those around her and their well-being."

Since her arrival on campus, Kelley has stayed busy. She worked for the Pacer Times and is the president and founder of the USCA chapter of Omega Phi Alpha, a national service sorority. Kelley has interned with the Aiken Downtown Development Association, creating a donation catalogue. A year ago she spent the alternative fall break in New Orleans, working with Habitat for Humanity.

"That was an eye-opening experience," said Kelley. "We went on a tour through the Ninth Ward, and the devastation makes you step away from yourself and think about others. We all wanted to do a good job with building the houses."

Kelley also was awarded a prestigious USC Magellan research grant this year - the first USCA communications student to receive one. In recent months, she has worked on promoting the efforts of the STAR Riding program, a volunteer organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for kids with developmental or physical disabilities. That experience has encouraged Kelley to continue volunteering to help nonprofits with public relations.

"Their missions are so wonderful, but they don't have the resources to get the word out," she said. "That's unfortunate because they offer so many great things."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.