The school recognized the communication design major for her years of service and leadership with local youth and civic organizations.
Waverly Smith ’25, a communication design major, was named the first recipient of the School of Communications’ Excellence in Community Engagement Award. The honor is presented to one student who has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to community engagement throughout their time at Elon. In every way, Smith exemplified the spirit of the award.
Her passion for service began in high school, when she volunteered at the SECU Family House through her volleyball team. The organization, part of UNC Hospitals, provides affordable lodging and meals to patients and families undergoing medical treatment. That experience left a lasting impression. “It was eye-opening,” she said. “I saw the difference we could make through small acts of kindness.”
Smith arrived at Elon determined to continue that work.
As a first-year student, she elected to live in the Service Living Learning Community — a decision that not only eased her transition to college life but also introduced her to the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center, formerly the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington. Through her work at the youth center, she connected with the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and built a four-year plan that integrated academic goals with civic involvement.
Smith’s involvement deepened when she joined the Kernodle Center as a student employee and later took on a student coordinator role. In that position, she mentored other volunteers, expanded outreach efforts, and helped strengthen the relationship between Elon students and the local community.
“During her time at Elon, Waverly has committed close to 400 hours of community engagement, including a sustained leadership role within the Kernodle Center for Civic Life,” said Kyle Anderson, associate director of the center. “For the past two years, she has been a dedicated student coordinator with the Boys and Girls Club of Alamance County. She has made a lasting impact by connecting many Elon students to volunteer opportunities and consistently bringing her creativity and passion for mentoring youth into her role.”
Smith’s service work has been deeply informed by her background in communication design. She brought a broad range of technical skills —including graphic design, branding, digital media and event planning — to both her volunteer and internship roles, demonstrating how professional training can support and enhance civic engagement. During a summer internship at The Preserve in Los Angeles, she designed marketing materials, developed creative concepts, and gained valuable administrative experience. These opportunities, she said, strengthened both her technical abilities and her sense of purpose.
“Community-based learning connects education to real-world impact,” Smith said. “By creating opportunities for students to go out into the community, we foster a sense of civic responsibility that stays with them. I’ve made many connections with students who initially came to the youth center for required service hours but returned because of how much they enjoyed it. It just shows that education isn’t only about academics — it’s about contributing to the world around you through meaningful actions.”
One of Smith’s favorite initiatives was organizing field day events, bringing children to Elon’s campus to interact with club and varsity athletes. “The atmosphere was chaotic, loving, and full of energy,” she said. At one event, when the bus arrived, the children erupted in excitement, shouting “Waverly! Waverly!” as they rushed into her arms. It was a moment of joy that captured the deep relationships she had built and the impact she had made.
Her advice to others? “Step outside your comfort zone and try different volunteer opportunities,” she said. “When you find service that resonates with you, it can open your eyes to new passions and a sense of purpose. Your experiences can stay with you long after your time at Elon — and you can truly make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Waverly Smith leaves Elon as a model of engaged citizenship — a student whose empathy, leadership and creativity enriched the campus and community alike.
Maggie Mullikin, manager of experiential programs, contributed to this release.