When Rithy Rung Rith learned he had been selected as the first recipient of the Professor Kathleen M. Heide Criminology Scholarship, his thoughts went back to how far he had come — both literally and figuratively.
Rith, an international student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, came to the United States on his own in 2024 at age 17. He began his college education at St. Petersburg College, where he earned his associate degree before transferring to the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg campus. Now a senior double majoring in criminology and psychology, Rith said receiving the scholarship caused him to reflect on the challenges and growth that brought him to this point.
I was incredibly grateful and honestly very emotional when I found out that I had been selected. My first thought was about how far I have come since leaving Cambodia and starting a new life in the United States on my own.
Rithy Rung Rith
Being the inaugural recipient carries special significance for Rith because he knows this is the start of a scholarship intended to support generations of criminology students.
“It is an honor to be the first student to receive it and to know that I am part of the beginning of something that can positively impact many other students,” he said.
Paying an opportunity forward
The scholarship was established by Distinguished University Professor Emerita Kathleen M. Heide, PhD, to provide students studying criminology with opportunities that could shape their education and future careers.
The idea was rooted in Heide's own experience as a young USF faculty member. Early in her career, she unexpectedly received several hundred dollars from then-Associate Dean Susan Stoudinger Northcutt, PhD. The funding supported Heide's research on juvenile homicide offenders, an area that would become central to her career and establish her as a leading expert in the field. Decades later, Heide established the scholarship to pay that generosity forward.
“My hope is that this scholarship will make a difference in a student’s career path,” Heide said when the scholarship was announced.
For its first recipient, that support is already doing what Heide intended. The scholarship will help Rith manage some of the financial pressures of college and allow him to devote more time to his education and professional development.
“Beyond the financial help, this scholarship also means a lot to me personally because it reminds me that someone believes in me and sees potential in what I am working to accomplish,” Rith said. “That encouragement motivates me to keep pushing myself and eventually use what I learn to give back to others.”
Understanding crime by understanding people
Rith's interest in criminology grew from a desire to understand not only why crime occurs but also the experiences and circumstances that can influence behavior. He became increasingly interested in how communities can prevent crime rather than simply responding after it happens. That interest led him to pursue psychology alongside criminology.
“I chose to study criminology and psychology because I believe understanding crime also means understanding people,” Rith said. “Together, these fields have given me a broader perspective and taught me to approach criminal justice with both evidence and compassion.”
His dedication has also stood out to those who have taught and worked alongside him. Dawn K. Cecil, PhD, professor and campus chair of criminology at USF St. Petersburg, taught Rith in two courses beginning in fall 2025. In her recommendation letter, Cecil described him as an engaged student who consistently came to class prepared, produced high-quality work and actively sought feedback to improve.
Rithy is someone who appreciates the opportunity to learn and is trying to get the most out of his undergraduate education.
Dawn K. Cecil
His commitment extends beyond the classroom. Since 2024, Rith has volunteered with the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, participating in major events and weekly food pantry distributions. Executive Director David E. Hale described him in a recommendation letter as an “outstanding student, volunteer and community servant,” noting his work ethic, leadership and willingness to step in when help is needed.
Carrying the investment forward
After graduation, Rith hopes to begin a career in law enforcement, ideally starting in patrol to gain firsthand experience working with people and serving the community. Eventually, he hopes to explore crime analysis or investigative work and use his experience and education to better understand and prevent crime.
His interests include examining how mental health, social environments and prevention relate to crime and how law enforcement can work alongside communities to identify problems and build trust before they develop into crime.
That desire to turn an opportunity into something that benefits others closely reflects the idea behind the scholarship itself. When Heide established the fund, she reflected on the people who had supported her throughout her career. “I look back on my life and I had people in my life who believed in me,” Heide said. “That little seed money can make a difference.”
Now, as the first student to benefit from that investment, Rith hopes to eventually do the same for someone else.
“Sometimes, having someone believe in you can give you the motivation to believe in yourself,” Rith said. “For me, success is not only about what I accomplish for myself. It is also about what I can do with what I have learned and achieved to make a difference in the lives of others.”