Eshonda Blue ’98, ’99
“Finding Your Why, Building a Legacy”

GSW Alumna & CEO of Innovative Senior Solutions

Eshonda Blue, RN, is the CEO of Innovative Senior Solutions and a nationally recognized leader in senior care with over 28 years of experience. She co-founded ISS in 2007 with her sister, Jessica Wright, inspired by caring for their grandmother, their first client. What began as a mission of love has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Beyond ISS, Eshonda launched Innovative Senior Care Consultants to mentor new providers and manages a diverse portfolio including Adult Day Centers, Personal Care Homes, Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, and real estate ventures. She also co-founded the Caring 4 Seniors Foundation, providing vital support for vulnerable older adults, and co-hosts the Green Table Senior Care Show to educate family caregivers. In 2025, she was elected to the Board of the Georgia Association of Community Care Providers, advancing statewide aging policy.

Kim Christmas
“The Power of Place: Lessons from a Small Town”

VP of HR & CCO at PharmaCentra, Concentra Solutions and Cannabis BPO

Kim Christmas is a results-driven leader passionate about building stronger communities through people, purpose, and partnership. As Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Communications Officer for PharmaCentra, Concentra Solutions, and CannabisBPO, she brings nearly two decades of expertise in human resources, talent development, and organizational leadership—aligning people strategy with business growth.

Beyond the corporate world, Kim’s heart is in service and community. She leads Books for Sumter Children, ensuring that every child in our community has access to free, age-appropriate books, and has fostered international exchange through hosting delegations from Americus’s sister city, Konu Miyoshi, Japan. Her leadership with organizations like the Sumter Historic Trust, the Chamber of Commerce, and Ignite College and Career Academy highlights her commitment to heritage, education, and local growth.

Dr. Mark Laughlin
“From Coal Mines to the Concert Stage”

Dean of GSW’s College of Arts and Sciences

Mark Laughlin serves as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Music at Georgia Southwestern State University. A member of the GSW faculty since 2008, he has served as professor of music, chair of the Department of Music, Communication and Emerging Media, interim associate dean, and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to joining GSW’s faculty, he taught at Coker University (SC) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  He holds seven graduate degrees and certificates in various disciplines including piano pedagogy, liberal studies (history), criminal justice, higher education administration, business, and strategic communication.

He is a 3-time GRAMMY® nominated music educator, 3-time recipient of the Steinway & Sons Top Teacher Award, and a 2-time recipient of Georgia Southwestern State University’s Excellence in Service Award. His research and teaching strategies on improvisation and video game music have been featured at over 55 peer reviewed conferences including the national conferences of the National Association of Schools of Music, The College Music Society, National Association for Music Education, Humanities Education and Research Association, Music Teachers National Association, National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum (GP3), and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. Dr. Laughlin has also presented at the International Conference of the College Music Society in Bangkok, Thailand, the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research in Music Pedagogy at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association’s National Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He has studied classical piano under Gail Steward, Samuel Viviano, and Scott Price, and jazz piano under John Valerio. Dr. Laughlin has recorded 13 albums. They can be found on various streaming services including Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music.

Sam Mahone
“Remembering the Past, Empowering the Future”

Co-Founder & Chair of the Americus-Sumter County Movement Remembered Committee

Sam Mahone, a 1964 graduate of Sumter County High School, is co-founder and Chair of the Americus-Sumter County Movement Remembered Committee, a nonprofit preserving the local Civil Rights Movement and restoring the historic Americus Colored Hospital as a cultural center. As a teenager, Sam joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) under John Lewis, organizing voter registration, literacy classes, and community activism across Southwest Georgia.

He continued his advocacy at Tougaloo College, where he supported displaced sharecroppers and helped lead the first anti–Vietnam War protest at a historically Black college. Sam went on to a long career in archives, art, and cultural institutions, including the Georgia Department of Archives and History, Ancestral Art Gallery, the High Museum of Art, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Through ASCMRC, he remains dedicated to preserving civil rights history and extending its lessons to new generations.

Hannah Pitts
“Building Bridges Through Dance”

Owner of Fabulous Feet Dance Studio

Hannah Pitts is the owner of Fabulous Feet Dance Studio in the heart of downtown Americus, where she has been sharing her passion for dance for more than 12 years working with dancers at every level. A native of Sumter County, Pitts holds a BFA in Arts Management with a concentration in Dance from Brenau University and now runs one of Southwest Georgia’s premier destinations for dance employing a staff of 12 and over 175 students.

Fabulous Feet has been voted one of Georgia Business Journal’s Best Dance Studios in Georgia and is nationally recognized for its award-winning competition teams. After outgrowing its original space, Pitts renovated a vacant, historic two-story building in downtown Americus, transforming it into a vibrant home for the arts.

She collaborates with renowned professional choreographers from across the country, exposing her students to innovative techniques, fresh choreography, and professional-level training. Passionate about fostering both skill and confidence, Pitts blends her love for dance, education, and community into a space where children can flourish. At Fabulous Feet, her mission extends beyond technique. Pitts is dedicated to building confidence, discipline, character, and artistry that inspires her dancers to succeed both on and off the stage and carry those lessons for a lifetime.

Hannah is married to her husband, Nick Pitts, and together they are raising their two-year-old daughter, Hampton Elaine.

King Randall, I
“How My Hometown Taught Me the Power of Resilience and Innovation”

Founder of The X for Boys & The Life Preparatory School of Boys

King Randall, 26, is a community builder, educator, and civic leader from Albany, Georgia. He is the founder of The X for Boys and The Life Preparatory School for Boys, where his work focuses on education, mentorship, and life skills for young men.

Beyond the classroom, King leads citywide initiatives such as the “We Are the Traffic” movement, turning early-morning runs into a symbol of unity and discipline for hundreds in Albany. His efforts also include developing civic-tech platforms, mentoring fathers, and using storytelling to encourage personal responsibility and community action. Through each project, King demonstrates his belief that ordinary citizens have the power to create extraordinary change.

John Schroeder
“In a Small Town, Your Voice Matters Faster”

Host of The Americus Podcast & Lead Pastor at The Well Church

John Schroeder is the Planter and Lead Pastor of The Well Church in Americus, Georgia, where he is passionate about helping people walk with God and others while welcoming those far from Him. He is also the founder of Next Level Neighbor, a community initiative equipping residents to create a place they enjoy with the people they love, and the host of The Americus Podcast, which highlights local leaders, entrepreneurs, and neighbors shaping the future of the city.

With a background in church planting, leadership development, and community engagement, John has a heart for seeing small towns thrive through faith, collaboration, and innovation. He and his wife, Jill, live in Americus with their two children, Judah and Jessah, and love investing in the next generation of leaders.

Rene Smith
“The Power of an Unexpected Journey”

President and CEO of Sumter EMC

Rene Smith is President and CEO of Sumter EMC, a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving 11 counties in Southwest Georgia with more than 3,900 miles of power lines. He joined Sumter EMC in 1988 and advanced from entry-level engineer to CEO in 2020. A registered professional engineer, Rene represents Georgia’s electric cooperatives on statewide issues and serves on the boards of Georgia EMC, Georgia Energy Cooperative, Green Power EMC, and the Georgia Cooperative Council.

Nationally, he serves on the NRECA’s IEEE NESC Subcommittee 5, helping shape utility safety standards. Locally, Rene is active with the One Sumter Economic Development Foundation, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, and Georgia Southwestern’s College of Business and Computing Advisory Council. A dedicated Rotarian and past club president, he holds an MBA from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology from Kennesaw State University. He and his wife, Angela, live in Americus and have five children and nine grandchildren.

Macy Taylor
“How Stigma Shaped Me”

GSW Student & Miss Thomasville 2024

Macy Taylor is a junior marketing major at Georgia Southwestern State University with a strong passion for advocacy and community building. Growing up in pageantry, she developed public-speaking skills, confidence, and meaningful connections that inspired her to launch Just Say Hi, an initiative dedicated to destigmatizing disabilities and showing how pageantry can foster inclusivity.

On campus, Macy is an active member of Kappa Delta, where she has held leadership positions on the chapter council. Her work reflects a commitment to service and empowering others, whether through her advocacy projects, pageant experience, or campus involvement. Macy strives to build communities where everyone feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.

Luke Hanson

Emcee; GSW Student

Georgia Southwestern student Luke Hanson is currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Science and is actively engaged across campus. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, he has taken on leadership roles as a Residential Leader, Marshal, and Junior Class Representative for the Student Government Association. He also serves as President of Operation Serve, Secretary of the Exercise Science Club, and is a member of the Zephyr, Storm Spotters, and the SGA Service Team. Dedicated to both service and student life, Luke also contributes as a Student Conduct Board Associate.