Eubanks Named Outstanding Senior Student

The University of South Carolina Aiken has recognized Rachel Eubanks, a dual-degree graduating senior in Psychology and English, as the May 2025 Outstanding Senior Student.

Eubanks will be honored during the Academic Honors Awards ceremony on May 6 and again at commencement on Wednesday, May 7.

“It is such an honor… I love it here. USCA has been the perfect fit for me,” Eubanks shared, reflecting on her decision to become a Pacer.  “What made me fall in love with this campus was the faculty and the fact that it’s such a small-town vibe here.”

Originally from Aiken, Eubanks says USCA was the perfect fit when choosing her major.  “I went into my major thinking I just wanted to pursue psychology, but English has always been my first love,” she said, expressing her love for creative writing.

For Eubanks, writing serves as both an escape and a source of clarity, a space where she feels vibrant and connected to herself and others.

Eubanks has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while excelling in both disciplines, showcasing her ability to balance rigorous coursework with numerous extracurricular responsibilities. Her academic achievements extend beyond the classroom; she’s published articles in literary studies, had an article accepted for preregistration in psychology, and creative writing publications.

Additionally, her research contributions have been recognized at regional and national conferences, and she has received competitive grants such as the USC Magellan Scholar Grant and the USCA Summer Scholars Institute Grant to support her electroencephalography (EEG) studies in neuroscience.

Beyond her academic excellence, Eubanks has been a distinguished leader on campus. One of the many opportunities she enjoyed was working in the Writing Center on campus. “Being able to work with other peers was great. Sometimes I would help them with stories, poems, research papers, all while it helped me to redefine my writing.”

Working one-on-one with faculty mentors significantly aided Eubanks’ writing development. She recalls her professors’ support, even those she wasn’t taking classes with. “I’ve had so many professors to ask about sending my work to them during their downtime, and I wouldn’t be taking any classes with them. They would send me back revisions or even meet with me during their office hours. I mean, where else are you going to get attention like that?”

Her poems have appeared in Broken Ink, a student-produced visual and literary arts magazine that highlighting USCA students’ creativity. “That’s a huge graduate school preparation,” Eubanks said.

Eubanks' achievements have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards, including the Phebe Davidson Prize in Creative Writing ($3,000) (2024), the Ellen Lott Smith Humanities Essay Scholarship ($8,000) (2023), and the 3rd Place Poster Prize at the SC Psychological Association Conference (2023). She has also been inducted into USCA’s Robert E. Alexander Hall of Fame for Leadership (2024), a distinction reserved for the university’s most exceptional student leaders.

Eubanks’ long-term goal is to earn a master’s degree in creative writing, hoping to pursue a PhD eventually. “If we’re talking about a dream job, I’d love to combine my interests in psychology and English to write about psychological topics, especially those affecting children in the foster care system. I’ve always had a heart for children,” she said.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Eubanks has been deeply involved in campus life. As a Resident Mentor in USCA Housing, she played a key role in student support, crisis response, and event planning. She also served as an Honors Ambassador, mentoring incoming students and representing the USCA Honors Program at various university events.

Eubanks, along with 410 degree candidates, will attend the commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.