Alumna Christina Shively discusses her role with the USO and supporting military service members beyond Day of the Deployed

Deployment day for military service members is often a time of mixed emotions, not only for the service members themselves, but also for their families. For military-affiliated students at Kennesaw State University, deployments often bring unexpected changes, including a rapid departure from campus to travel across the country.

“It's a day of pride, excitement, nerves, and sometimes even a few tears,” said Kennesaw State alumna Christina Shively. “I have had the privilege of seeing service members on deployment day at the airport. Some are excited and ready to go. Others are saying goodbye to their families and trying to be strong for the people they love.”

Shively, a 2026 KSU Master of Business Administration graduate, works with the United Service Organizations (USO), where she oversees programming to support deployed service members across the state of Georgia. As senior area operations manager, Shively leads the USO center operations at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Fort Benning, selflessly giving back to those who give so much to our nation.

“We connect service members with the people, resources, programs, and experiences they need to feel supported, from the moment they leave home, throughout training and deployments, and all the way through their transition back to civilian life,” she explained.

The USO is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization serving military members and their families at centers around the world. Throughout a service member’s time in uniform, the USO stands as a pillar of support and encouragement for them and their loved ones.

More than 60,000 service members pass through the USO at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport each year, along with 40,000 at Fort Benning.

“Those numbers only tell part of the story. Every visit represents a person, a family, or a moment where we have an opportunity to make someone's military journey a little easier,” said Shively, who is the last stop before service members take flight, possibly leaving home for the very first time.

Shively’s team provides essential supply care packages, spaces to unwind, or just a friendly face, among other programs, to show service members they are appreciated. Her scope of work even covers sweet treats. 

“Through our partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta's Smiles4Military program, we're able to provide Girl Scout Cookies to service members traveling through the airport,” she said, describing the unpredictability and occasional fun of her job.

For Shively, supporting service members extends beyond the walls of the airport. It is a part of her life wherever she goes. While enrolled in the MBA program at KSU, she recalled a time when a classmate and Georgia National Guard service member was called to active duty during the semester.

“Our group had to adjust and work together while he was away, which was a great reminder that sometimes supporting our military community means simply being flexible, understanding, and willing to step up for one another,” Shively reflected. “Service looks different every single day. KSU and my work with the military community prepared me for life after graduation by teaching me that leadership is not just about getting results. It is about understanding people, adapting when circumstances change, and knowing when someone simply needs another person in their corner.”

Leadership, service, and empathy are soft skills Shively takes into hard situations each day to accomplish the mission of the USO and create impactful programs for our armed forces. Her work proves that a little really can go a long way in making a difference, especially on deployment day.

Oct. 26 is the National Day of the Deployed in the U.S. This day is dedicated to honoring the bravery and sacrifice of deployed service members and their families. Deployment day may carry many unknowns, but one thing is certain—the USO will be there.

“That's why the USO is so important on a day like that. We cannot make deployment easy, and we cannot take away the distance or the uncertainty. But we can make sure that service member knows someone is there,” Shively emphasized. “For me, the day is a reminder of why I do what I do. It is about sending our service members off knowing that their community is behind them and that they have people cheering them on every step of the way.”

There is always a way to serve others, whether in uniform or not, and our KSU alumni making their mark beyond campus are proof of that.

Kennesaw State encourages students and service members to connect with Military and Veteran Services for additional support and guidance during deployments. Learn about KSU’s Military and Veteran Services, our resource hub for service members, veterans, and military-affiliated students.