Through his time in Samford University’s Human Development and Family Science program, Landon Kight has learned that understanding people is at the heart of making a meaningful impact.
During his coursework and practicum experiences, Kight spent time observing family cases and working with children and individuals with special needs. Those experiences did more than build his résumé, they clarified his calling.
A graduating senior from Georgia, Kight will attend Samford’s Cumberland School of Law this fall, where he plans to pursue family law. His desire to serve others, he said, was shaped early in his time at Samford.
Kight was drawn to the university for its Christian community and close-knit environment. Once on campus, he explored different academic paths before finding a program that aligned with both his interests and long-term goals.
“HDFS had everything I wanted in a major and would open all the doors I wanted,” Kight said.
In addition to his coursework, Kight’s experience in the Micah Fellows program played a central role in shaping his time at Samford. The program, which emphasizes service, leadership and community engagement, provided opportunities to serve in Birmingham while connecting those experiences back to the classroom.
“This major has given me so much real-world experience because we not only learn a lot in the classroom, but we learn so much because we’ve been allowed to go into the community and practice what we’re learning,” he said.
Through his Micah Fellows placement and HDFS practicum, Kight served at Banks Academy, a Title I Christian school in Birmingham, and with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Jefferson County. At Banks Academy, he worked directly with students, while his time with CASA placed him in the courtroom, observing cases and advocating for children.
“Through my experiences with CASA that included being in the court and listening to different cases, I knew that I was right where I needed to be and on the right path forward,” Kight said.
Kight also became involved in the special needs community, connecting with Unless U after representatives visited one of his classes.
“I more than likely would have never connected with Unless U without them being invited here to campus,” he said.
Across each of these experiences, Kight said one of the most meaningful takeaways has been a deeper awareness of others.
“One thing that I’ve taken away from my major is an awareness of different issues that people go through in life and take for granted,” he said. “It’s so important to understand yourself and others.”
That perspective has shaped both his academic experience and his future plans. While he has earned several honors, including the John R. Mott Award, Outstanding Student Intern in HDFS and the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award at the Southeastern Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Kight remains focused on a larger purpose.
“People are my passion, so that’s why I’m going to law school,” he said. “I’m not going to law school to make a lot of money one day. I’m going so I can make an impact in my community.”
As he prepares for what comes next, Kight encourages students to take full advantage of both campus and community opportunities.
“I’ve been able to go out into different settings and then come back to campus and have the support and ability to speak with professors and friends about my experiences,” he said.
For Kight, that balance between learning and serving is what makes the HDFS program so impactful.
“If you can better understand how to interact with people, then you’ll be able to be better at whatever you do moving forward,” he said.
