CONWAY – In late September, Coastal Carolina University announced it 2018-19 Swain Scholars and junior softball player Kassidy Smith was one of two selected for this prestigious honor.

The Collinsville, Ill. native, majoring in biology will be tasked to set up a plan and implement community outreach and research projects designed to improve the quality for Horry County residents.

The Swain Scholars students share an interest in mental health and selected undergraduates will have majors that include sociology, public health, biochemistry, biology, exercise and sport science, and chemistry at Coastal Carolina University.

"Being chosen as a Swain Scholar was an absolute honor for me. I am very excited for this opportunity and I am looking forward to working with my amazing fellow Swain Scholars and Dr. Thompson. I feel we are a group that is very dedicated to this role, and we are hoping that our work will help make changes to the health of our community for the better."  Smith commented.

The junior and along with other selection, Jeremy Evans, will receive scholarships up to $5,000 per year for a total of four semesters, funded by Kenneth E. Swain, a Coastal Carolina donor and retired pharmacist from Myrtle Beach.

The 2018-19 Swain Scholars will focus on improving mental health for college-aged students in Horry County. They hope to make a positive impact on the health of the Conway community and CCU students by researching and implementing community health programs that focus on depression, anxiety and suicide prevention for young adults aged 18-25.

You can check out Smith and her teammates on October 14 as they host the College of Charleston at 2 p.m. at St. John Stadium, in their first of two fall games at home.

For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSB (twitter), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.