Stovall receives CAST Crusader award

Special to Wesson News

Co-Lin's Keith Stovall received the CAST Crusader Award at the annual One Voice Conference. In attendance were Co-Lin students Drew Jones, Demessia Holloway, Latouriun Vigne and Allie Wall; Stovall; faculty members Neisha Leggett and Dr. Melnee Berry; and student Cliff Jernigan. (Photo Special to Wesson News).

Co-Lin instructor and Social Science Division Chair Keith Stovall has received the prestigious CAST Crusader Award.

Each year, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi™ recognizes an outstanding individual who is committed to the Mississippi CAST (Child Advocacy Studies) program and workforce development representing systematic change for the protection of children. Stovall accepted the award at the annual One Loud Voice Conference held recently in Biloxi.

Stovall joined the Co-Lin family as an instructor in 2006 and teaches courses in Child Psychology, Marriage and Family, Adolescent Psychology, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology and Perspectives in Child maltreatment. In 2022, the Child Advocacy Response and Education for Students (C.A.R.E.S) student organization was created with Stovall as faculty advisor.   Stovall also launched the Virtual CARE House, a simulation project to enhance child advocacy education through immersive online learning.

“Keith has dedicated his career to child advocacy in Southwest Mississippi and is incredibly deserving of this recognition,” said Co-Lin Dean of Academic Instruction Dr. Amanda Hood. “The countless hours he has poured into creating the Virtual CARE House, now recognized on a national level, are a testament to his unwavering passion for education and his commitment to advocating for healthy children and families. We are proud to have Keith at Co-Lin, and we are grateful for the impact he is making on our students, his colleagues, and the community.”

Stovall earned a bachelor’s degree from William Carey University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Counseling Psychology. He started his professional career as a Therapist and Forensic Interviewer at the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in McComb, Mississippi. While there, he conducted nearly 600 interviews in four years and served as an Expert Witness in Circuit Court cases. He is a two-time recipient of the Robert M. Segal Multi-Disciplinary Team Award and was honored in 2024 as a William Winter Scholar.

Stovall and his wife Teresa are the proud parents of three children.