Blooming with purpose: USCA grad talks service and pageantry

For Julia Evans, success has never followed a single path it has developed through creativity, service and a deep commitment to empowering others.

Today, the USCA alumna continues her journey with purpose, advancing her career as a marketing professional while earning the national title of Miss of America 2025.

Evans graduated from USCA in Spring 2022 with a degree in communications, but her path wasn’t always straightforward. Like many students, her academic journey evolved. During freshman year, Evans declared a major in biology pre-med.

“I don’t think things are a coincidence. I believe everything happens for a reason,” she said. “I came into college with the intent to be a cardiologist. I loved everything about health care, specifically the aspect of helping others, but never came to acknowledge that I was always involved in some form of media studies growing up. I quite literally never gave it a second thought.”

That same freshman year, Evans was diagnosed with chronic anemia, a condition often associated with long-term underlying health issues, such as autoimmune disorders, that affect the body’s ability to produce red blood cells.

She later switched her major to exercise & sports science but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for her, either. “It wasn’t working out on top of me being sick, and it wasn’t until later that I realized communications was more up my alley,” Evans said, pointing to her heavy involvement on campus. She ultimately took a leap of faith and changed her major for a second time. “Mass communications is an amazing journey to have; you can literally do anything with it and go anywhere with your degree.”

Not letting her health condition limit her ability to stay active, Evans was involved in Rotary, the NAACP, and was a founding member and president of the Black Student Union on USCA’s campus in 2019. “I was a serial community person,” she said.

Now based in Columbia, South Carolina, Evans is navigating a new chapter both professionally and personally. A recent career milestone includes her new role as a marketing specialist for a multi-brand franchise owner, overseeing regional marketing efforts for Marco’s Pizza, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and an emerging concept, Pop-Up Bagels, across South Carolina, parts of Georgia and North Carolina. Evans works specifically for Dave’s Hot Chicken and stepped into the marketing role in early November 2025, calling the opportunity “life changing.”

“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” she shared. “It feels like everything I’ve been working toward is starting to align.”

In addition to her professional achievements, Evans added she wants to expand her talents in entrepreneurship by launching her own floral business line to create long-lasting eternal roses in the spring.

That same philosophy shapes her work as Miss of America 2025, a title she earned in July at the American Pageants national competition in Las Vegas. During nationals, Evans received both the Social Correspondent Award and the Public Speaking Award for her moving piece, “Bloom Anyway,” recognizing her ability to connect with audiences through authenticity and purpose.

“This was my first national pageant,” she said joyfully. “It’s always been something that I’ve been fond of in being able to give back to the community. While searching on the internet, I was looking for systems that had good morals and structure, and I found American Pageants.”

At the heart of her reign is The Vanguard Society, Evans' signature platform initiative. The program blends entrepreneurship, education and creativity, using hands-on activities, often centered around florals and plant care, to teach K-12 students’ leadership, business fundamentals, and self-discovery.

“Not every student is meant to take the same path,” Evans explained. “Some may choose college, some the military, and some entrepreneurship. The goal is helping young people understand where they want to go and giving them the tools and confidence to get there.”

Inspired by her experience working alongside educators and youth leadership programs, Evans hopes to expand The Vanguard Society into schools as an after school or short-term enrichment program.

As Miss of America 2025, Evans also serves as an Inclusion Ambassador for Special Olympics’ Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, advocating for a world where inclusion and empathy are foundational values. She has remained especially mindful of community needs during challenging times, participating in outreach and service efforts to support families and students across the region.

Evans will represent American Pageants nationally through July 2026, when she passes on her crown at nationals. Until then, she remains focused on expanding her impact, professionally, creatively and in service to others.

“Follow your dreams no matter the circumstances or obstacles that come in your path. I didn’t want to waste my family's money or worry how my sickness would get in the way of my aspirations,” Evans said. “If life is anything like communications, you can go anywhere with what you have. It doesn’t matter how intense the intent or dream is. You’re going to find your purpose or place at the end of the rainbow.” 

For more information, contact us at news@usca.edu.