CONGRATULATIONS SPRING & SUMMER 2020 GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS SPRING & SUMMER 2020 GRADUATES

In keeping with public health and university system guidelines regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Honors College Spring 2020 Graduation Ceremony and Reception is canceled as a live event. While we can’t personally congratulate our amazing graduates as they cross our stage, it’s our mission to give them their moment of recognition and acknowledgement for all the work they did leading up to this moment.
WE HAVE A FEW WORDS FOR THEM
A message from the dean
Congratulations from your Honors family
A message from the dean
Congratulations from your Honors family
MEET OUR HONORS GRADUATES
Our graduates have experienced and accomplished amazing things.
They have collected global insights—interning with companies in London, studying abroad in Vietnam and Italy. They have conducted research, presented their findings at national conferences and published papers. They have started up their own tech companies and social justice projects; they have organized a student-roll polling location on campus; they have held leadership positions both on- and off-campus.
Our graduates are the faces of innovation and resilience.
Their plans for the future include graduate school, including Harvard Law School, Central European University in Vienna and Johns Hopkins University. Others will go to work for international businesses and government agencies, such as the Walt Disney Company and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Graduate Profiles:

Xavier Adams
B.A. in Film and Media
General Honors Distinction
- Member of Panther PRIME African American Male Initiative
- Album 88 Volunteer
- Dean’s List
- President’s List
After graduation, Xavier will work as a logistics management specialist for the U.S. government.

Noah Albritton
B.B.A. in Actuarial Science
General Honors Distinction
- Panthers on Wall Street
- The 1913 Society
- Honors Ambassadors
- Presidential Scholar

Amy Andrelchik
B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry and a minor in Philosophy
- Summer 2019 Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Technology (ORISE) Fellowship at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Biochemical Markers Fellowship.
- 2018 Spring/Summer Internship with the Defense Forensic Science Center (Department of Defense)
- 2020 Bioethics Intern with WellStar Health Systems Bioethics Team
After graduation, Amy will be working full-time at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Maryland where she will be doing analytical chemistry and defense research.

Sarah Appleton
B.S. in Exercise Science
General Honors Distinction
- Recipient of the Dugald Hudson & Nancy R. Mansfield WomenLead Scholarship (Spring 2019).
- Recipient of the Jeff and Debbie Rupp Endowed Scholarship in Exercise Science (Spring 2020).
-
Moving University Students Closer to Leadership in Exercise Science (M.U.S.C.L.E.S.)
-
Workout of the Day (WOD) Chair – Spring 2017-Spring 2020
After graduation, Sarah will begin classes to earn a master’s degree with a focus on exercise science at Georgia State University.

Mikayla Aron
B.A. in History
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Supplemental Instructor for U.S. History
- Phi Alpha Theta-Mu Thau member
- Robert W. Sellen Scholarship Recipient
- Panther Band
After graduation, Mikayla will attend graduate school at California State University to earn a master’s degree in history.

Jenna Aungst
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- C200 WomenLead Scholar
- Undergraduate Researcher in Convict Cichlid Lab
- Forensic Intern at DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office
- Anatomy & Physiology II Supplemental Leader
- Manager at The Vortex Midtown
After graduation, Jenna will work as an administrative assistant at the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Raven Balentine
B.S. in Respiratory Therapy
- Academic Chair of the Respiratory Therapy Club
After graduation, Raven Balentine plans to work at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital as a New Grad Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Michael Ball
B.Mu. in Instrumental Music Education
· Panther Band Drum Major

Alec Barrena
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Published as a co-author for a paper in Science Translation Medicine

Jessica Barry
B.B.A. in Managerial Science
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Graduated with a 4.24 GPA
- Recipient of the Francis J. Bridges Scholastic Award and the Mills B. Lane Scholarship
- Member of the 1913 Society
- Member of Beta Gamma Sigma

Alina Basiuk
B.A. in Film and Media
Minor in International Business
- 2019 National Panhellenic Conference Vice President of Recruitment
- 2018 Alpha Xi Delta Membership Vice President
- Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society
- Member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Katelyn Borek
B.I.S. in Social Entrepreneurship
- Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential
- Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Executive Leadership
- 2019 GSU Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student of the Year

Sabrina Bothwell
B.S. in Psychology
- Resident Assistant
- Research Assistant in Violence Against Women Prevention Lab
- President of Red Cross Club
- Member of Delta Zeta Sorority
- Completed an undergraduate honors thesis in the Behavioral Science Lab
After graduation, Sabrina will continuing as a research assistant in the Behavioral Science Lab and the Violence Against Women Prevention Lab.

Malik Bottger
B.S. in Computer Science
General Honors Distinction
- Graduated in three years
- Panther Band
After graduation, Malik will work as a software developer at State Farm.

Stephanie Brito
B.A. in Political Science with concentration in Pre-Law
- Hermana of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
- Dean’s List (Fall 2017 – Fall 2018)
- President’s List (Spring 2019 – Fall 2020)

Noah Britton
B.A. in Journalism
General Honors Distinction
- Presidential Scholar
- Honors College Editorial Assistant
- Honors College Ambassador
- Envisioned and produced the Spring 2020 undergraduate research zine, “HONORS ABSTRACT”

D’Angel Brooks
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Executive Director of the St. Jude Collegiate Events Organization
- Vice President of the Pre-Physician Assistant Association
- Member of the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honors Society

Jessica Burer
B.A. in Applied Linguistics
General Honors Distinction
- President’s List

Victoria Carlino
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- Conducted Honors Thesis
- Participated in 4+1 dual degree program for Master of Biology Medical Sciences (MBMS) Program
After graduation, Victoria will attend graduate school at Georgia State in the MBMS Program.

Mallory Carpenter
B.A. in Film & Media
After graduation, Mallory will study film at New York University.

Heather Chandler
B.S. in Neuroscience
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Nu Rho Psi
- Dean’s List, Fall 2015
- President’s List, Fall 2019

Jay Chavez
B.B.A. in Risk Management
General Honors Distinction
- Fall 2017 Deans List
- Fall 2018 Deans List
- Global Experience Study Abroad Program to China
- Bills B. Lane Bank of America Scholar
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar
- Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Scholar
After graduation, Jay will earn master’s degrees in Analytics and in Quantitative Risk Management.

Afiya Charaniya
B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education with ESOL endorsement
After graduation, Afiya will work as an elementary school teacher.

Kelsey Ampudia Clark
B.S. in Exercise Science
After graduation, Kelsey will attend graduate school at Brigham Young University to earn her master’s degree in exercise science.
Courtney Cohen
B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
- Recipient of President’s Award in 2017
- Six times on Dean’s List
After graduation, Courtney will be moving to New York to pursue a teaching career.

Mira Collins
B.A. in History
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- Honors Thesis participant
After graduation, Mira will move to Ireland to attend graduate school.

Blake Davis
B.B.A. in Actuarial Science
General Honors Distinction
- Undergraduate Fellow, Student Innovation Program.
- Vice President of Finance for Alpha Xi Delta sorority
After graduation, Blake will be working for United Health Group/Optum as an associate actuarial analyst.

Jerrica Davis
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Tri-Beta Biological Society
- Dean’s List
- American Medical Student Association
- Minority Association of Pre-health
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit volunteer at Grady Memorial Hospital
After graduation, Jerrica will prepare to take the Medical College Admissions Test in September and will continue to volunteer at Grady Memorial Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, while simultaneously shadowing physicians in General Surgery.

Ginger Delagrange
B.S. in Respiratory Therapy
- Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions Ambassador
- Academic Chair for the Respiratory Therapy Club
- Dean’s List
- Works at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston as a respiratory tech
After graduation, Ginger will continue to work at CHOA Egleston as a respiratory therapist.

Tiffani Efford
B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Pre-Medicine
- Supplemental instructor for biology
- Member of Psi Chi International Honors Society for psychology
- Lab research assistant
After graduation, Tiffani plans to attend medical school at Emory or Morehouse School of Medicine.

Kedan Endrias
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Emergency medical technician
- Teacher assistant in the Department of Chemistry
After graduation, Kedan will attend graduate school at Georgia State in its Master of Biology Medical Sciences Program. She will also intern at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Liv Fallon
B.A. in Film & Media and B.A. in Creative Writing
General Honors Distinction
- Official selection of the 2019 Bend Film Festival for “Elohi.”
- First place winner in Film Presentations and recipient of the Sustainability Award during GSURC 2019 for “Elohi.”
- Recipient of the James E. Routh Outstanding English Major award for 2019
- Recipient of the 2018 Award for Excellence in Filmmaking during the GSU Student Film Festival for “Elohi.”
- Presidential Scholar

Ye Fang
B.S. in Biological Sciences

Megan Forbes
B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
General Honors Distinction
- Summa Cum Laude
- Presidents’ List
- Dean’s List
After graduation, Megan will be moving to Orlando, Fla., to participate in the Disney College Program for six months, and will pursue a full-time career there once the internship is over.

Samantha Foss
B.A. in International Economics and Modern Languages with a concentration in Frenc and a Minor in Hospitality Administration
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Member of the Georgia State Athletic Bands ensembles and awarded Most Valuable New Member and Most Outstanding Service
- Athletic Coordinator with the National Senior Classical League and awarded the Hal Rather Award for Outstanding Service
- Phi Mu Sorority Executive Board

Jordan Gaines
B.S. in Biochemistry
Advanced Honors Distinction
- STEMbership Director of STEMulate
- Volunteer coordinator of chemistry club
- Held a University Assistantship Program position
- NSF-SSTEM scholar
- Graduated with Dual Degree 4+1 Chemistry
- Member of GSURC Planning Committee
- American Chemical Society Member
Cosmin Gavril
BSN in Nursing
General Honors Distinction
After graduation, Cosmin will work as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Atlanta Medical Center.

Donovan Giardina
B.S. in Public Administration and Policy
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- 1913 Society Ambassador
- Research Assistant in the Criminal Justice Department
- University Housing Resident Assistant
- University Tour Guide
- New Student Orientation Leader
- Founding Member of the Civil Discourse Club
After graduation, Donovan will pursue a Ph.D. in criminal justice and criminology at Georgia State University.

Amina Glass
B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in pre-medicine
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Summer Health Professions Education Program Alumni
- Conducted research in the Georgia State University Imaging Genetics and Informatics Lab
- Presented at the Georgia State University Undergraduate Research Conference and the Georgia State University Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference
After graduation, Amina will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.

Kayla Gonzalez
B.S. in Criminal Justice
After graduation, Kayla plans to attend law school.

Camelia Gonzalez Barbot
B.S. in Psychology
- President of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology
- Research Coordinator of Pathways to Health study
- Presented at the Georgia State University Undergraduate Research Conference
- Completed Honors Thesis in Social Ecology and Adolescent Lab
- Cum Laude Graduate

Jenny Goolcharran
B.S. in Nursing

Pia-Milan Green
B.I.S. in Law and Society
Advanced Honors Distinction
- International Student of the Year Award, 2018
- 1913 Society Presidential Ambassador
- 1913 Silver Shield Recipient
- 1913 Service of Excellence Award Recipient
- President of Sisters in Law Society
- University Housing Resident Assistant
- Student Judicial Board Justice
- Welcome Center Tour Guide
After graduation, Pia-Milon will attend the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida.

Gavin Hall
B.A. in Journalism
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Royal Flame Leadership Award Recipient, Spring 2019
- Student Judicial Board Student Justice, Fall 2017-Spring 2018
- Student Judicial Board Chief Justice Fall 2018-Spring 2020
- Student Government Association Freshman Liaison, Fall 2016-Spring 2017
- The 1913 Society Presidential Ambassador, Spring 2018-Spring 2020
- The 1913 Society Advisory Board Member, Fall 2019-Spring 2020
- Welcome Center telecounselor and tour guide, Fall 2017-Spring 2019
I will be working with Apple on their Social Response Team. This team works to address technical and executive issues that customers may have via Apple’s official social media platforms.

Sydney Hannigan
B.S.N. in Nursing
General Honors Distinction
- 2018 Secretary of Delta Zeta Sorority
- 2017 Director of Academics for Delta Zeta Sorority
- Member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society in Nursing
- Member of Nursing Students at Georgia State (NSGS)
- Charline Chilson Scholarship Recipient
- Gerald B. Johanneson Scholarship Recipient
- Haworth Scholarship Recipient
- 1913 Founders Scholarship Recipient
- Zell Miller Scholarship Recipient
After graduation, Sydney will work for Wellstar Health System as a trauma nurse.

Madison Higbee
B.A. in Sociology
General Honors, Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- Submitted research, titled “Conversion Therapy in the South: Prevalence and Experiences of the Survivors,” to the Journal of Homosexuality for publication
- Named to President’s List every semester
- Winner of the Margaret Anderson Scholarship and the Outstanding Undergraduate Award in the Sociology Department
- Member of the American Sociological Association Student Honors Program, 2019
- First place winner of the student paper competition at the Georgia Sociological Association Conference
- Co-author of “State of the South: A Snapshot on the Conditions and Life Experiences of LGBTQ Southerners and “Atlanta Youth Count 2018 Community Report: The Prevalence of Sex and Labor Trafficking Among Homeless Youth in Metro Atlanta”
- Presidential Scholar
After graduation, Madison will complete her master’s degree in sociology at Georgia State University.
Huyen Huynh
B.B.A. in Finance
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- J. Mack Robinson College of Business Honors Cohort
- Finance Honors Track Cohort
- Internal Audit Internship at Assurant
- Finance Excellence Internship at Novelis
After graduation, Huyen will be joining Deloitte as a consultant in risk and financial advisory.

Mariah Johnson
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Student Government Association Student Engagement Chair, Election Commission Chair and Senator
- Teaching Assistant Chemistry Department and 2019 undergraduate student assistant award recipient
- Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated
- Panther Breakaway Alternative Breaks Volunteer

Sarah Beth Johnson
B.S. Physics
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Recipient of the Robert H. Hankla Endowment Award, 2020
- Emeriti Research Excellence Award, 2018
- Brains and Behavior Summer Scholar, 2017
- Research Assistant at the Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science Member of the 1913 Society
- Honors College Ambassador Executive Board

Chazz Jordan
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) scholarship program
- Georgia State University S-STEM-NSF scholarship program
- Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) and the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
- Gold Award from Emory University for volunteer efforts
- Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference (GSURC) Sustainability Award for undergraduate research in the conservation genetics lab at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Georgia Research Education Award Traineeship (GREAT) fellowship from the University of Georgia for its Ph.D. program
After graduation, Chazz will attend graduate school at the University of Georgia in its Integrated Plant Sciences Ph.D. program for a degree in plant biology with a concentration in conservation genetics.

Max Kantor
B.A. in Speech
General Honors Distinction
- Georgia State Welcome Center Tour Guide
- Honors College Ambassador
Hiba Kausar
B.S. in Psychology
- Research Assistant in the Psychology Department under Cognition and Aging

Thao T. Le
B.S. in Biological Sciences
General Honors Distinction
After graduation, Thao will earn her Ph.D. in chemistry at Georgia State.

Ryan Lowe
B.B.A. in Marketing
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Completed five internships during college
- Honors College London Experience
- Advanced Honors Distinction
- Member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
After graduation, Ryan will work as an outside sales representative for Paycom.

Evan Malbrough
B.S. in Public Policy
General Honors Distinction
- Vote Everywhere Ambassador
- Royal Flame Leadership Award
- Martin Luther King Leadership Award
- Clinton Global Initiative Fellow
- Panther of the Year
After graduation, Evan will work with non-profits and campaigns to increase youth voter turnout.

Brianne Martin
B.S. in Chemistry
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Marketing and Communications Director of STEMulate
- University Assistantship Program
- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Representation Scholar Fellowship
· Undergraduate Research in Dr. Nadine Kabengi’s Lab

Donovan Mattox
B.S. in Psychology
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- Research Assistant in Perfectionism and Stress Lab
- Member of Georgia State University Ethics Bowl Team
- Representative at University Commons for the Residence Hall Association
After graduation, Donovan will pursue a graduate degree in industrial/organizational psychology.

Liz Mawaw
B.S. in Biological Sciences
- Associate’s Degree in Science from Georgia State University Perimeter College
- Campus Atlanta Scholarship (2019)
- STEM Student Academic Award (2018)
- Nominated for Student of the Semester in Organic Chemistry II Lab and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I at Perimeter College
- Volunteered at an afterschool program for three years
- Helped student refugees in learning English and doing homework in science subjects
After graduation, Liz plans to apply to medical school. But before that, she would like to take a gap year and work in a laboratory.

Emmanuel May
B.S. in Criminal Justice
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Member of Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honors Society
- Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society
After graduation, Emmanuel will attend law school at Georgia State University and do some private investigation work.

Phoebe McPeak
B.A. in English Rhetoric and Composition
General Honors Distinction
- Student Alumni Association

Janae Moses
B.A. in Journalism
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Sister of Alpha Omicron Pi
After graduation, Janae will intern with the Walt Disney Company.

Olivia Murray
B.A. in Political Science
General Honors Distinction
- Student Justice on the Student Judicial Board
- Academic Development Chair of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
- Member of the Undergraduate Student Advisory Board
After graduation, Olivia will attend Harvard Law School.

Lexie Newhouse
B.I.S. in Media Entrepreneurship
General Honors, Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- Innovation in Government Fellow at Invest Atlanta
- 2019 Panthers in the Valley Cohort Member
- 2020 Germany Fulbright Alternate
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENI) Institute Student Assistant
- 1913 Society Presidential Ambassador
- Honors Ambassador
After graduation, Lexie will continue her fellowship at Invest Atlanta to implement her thesis findings and proposals.

Brenda Nguyen
B.S. in Biological Sciences

Rachel Odendahl
B.Mu. in Music Education
- University Assistant in the School of Music for four years, with duties ranging from playing in the University Symphony Orchestra to working on independent research projects
- Completed an Honors Thesis on diversity issues in music education
- First place winner in the Arts and Humanities Poster Presentations category for the 2020 Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference
- Participated in the Spring 2020 Honors Thesis Pitch
- Played in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Panther Band and many chamber ensembles.
- Performed at the university’s Burning Bright campaign reception in Fall 2018

Brandon Paetznick
B.S. in Public Health
- Student Worksite Experience Program Internship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dalya Panbehchi
B.S. in Neuroscience
Advanced Honors Distinction
- President of the Pre-Physician Assistant Association (PPAA)
- Member of Nu Rho Psi National Honors Society for Neuroscience)
- Undergraduate research assistant
After graduation, Dalya plans to attend graduate school to become a physician assistant.

Jenny Pham
B.A. in Political Science
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Georgia State University 2020 Outstanding Student of the Year
- Presidential Scholar Class of 2020
- Recipient of Erasmus and International Credit Mobility Grant by the European Commission for 5 Months of Study in Italy
- 2020 Rhodes Scholarship Finalist
- Position Paper Award for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at the National Model United Nations Competition
- 1913 Society Member
· Honors College Ambassador Corp Member

Marcus Reese
B.A. in Film and Media
General Honors Distinction
- College of Arts Dual Degree Program participant
- Worked at the Georgia State University Welcome Center
After graduation, Marcus will be pursuing a masters of arts in communication with a concentration in film production at Georgia State University.

Lauren Jayce Rivers
B.A. in Applied Linguistics
- 2019 Georgia State Panther Band Drum Major

Meira Robbins
B.S. in Neuroscience
General Honors Distinction
- Innovator in Residence for Centennial Academy Charter School
- Research Assistant through the University Assistantship Program in the Petrulis lab and in the Murphy labTeam member of Chabad of Downtown Universities
- E-Board member of Collegiate Neuroscience Society
- Presidential Scholar
After graduation, Meira will attend graduate school at Georgia State University in its master of arts in teaching for secondary science education.

Trey Robinson
B.A. in Criminal Justice
Advanced Honors Distinction
- CJSA President, 2018-2019
- SJB Associate Chief Justice, 2018-2020
- London Experience, 2018
After graduation, Trey will attend Emory Law School.

Sydney Ross
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinction
- Undergraduate Research Fellow

Layth Rustom
B.B.A. in Managerial Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction

Anuoluwapo Samuel
B.S. in Biological Sciences
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- You4Prevent Fellow
- President of Youth Evangelical Fellowship
- Pre-medical ambassador for the Center of Advancement for Students and Alumni
- Volunteer Coordinator-Panther Food Recovery Network
- Treasurer Honors Student Organization
- Member of the 2019 and 2020 Georgia State Undergraduate Research Committee
- Volunteer at Emory Winship Cancer Institute
- University Assistant Position in the Yuan Liu Biology lab
- Community service leader Baptist Collegiate Ministries, 2017-2018

Hanna Schurr
B.S. in Public Health
General Honors Distinction
- Zeta Tau Alpha Treasurer
- Zeta Tau Alpha Second Vice President
- School of Public Health Research Assistant
- Zeta Tau Alpha Outstanding Senior
After graduation, Hanna will attend Emory University for her master’s of public health in epidemiology.
Savannah Setter
B.A. in Anthropology and B.A. in Sociology
General Honors Distinction
- Founder and President of The Establishment for Queer Unity, Inclusion, and Peace
- Recipient of the Alonzo F. and Norris B. Herndon Human Rights Scholarship
After graduation, Savannah will attend graduate school, fully funded, at Central European University in Vienna, Austria in its master’s in sociology and social anthropology program.

Lola Sewo
B.S. in Biological Science
Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinction
- Volunteer at Saint Joseph’s
- President of the Ultimate Frisbee Club
- Honors Thesis participant
After graduation, Lola plans to work in a research lab.

Suraiya Sharker
B.A. in Political Science
General Honors Distinction
- President’s list for eight semesters
- Civic Impact Award finalist
- President of Political Awareness Club
- UAP at the Multicultural Center
- Community Organized at the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
After graduation, Suraiya will be continuing her job at the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum.

David A. Sloan
B.A. in Psychology
- Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Cognition and Aging Lab
- Recommended to the College of Arts & Sciences for “Graduation with Distinction” by Dr. Sarah Barber for research and service and by Dr. Ashlyn Swartout for service
- President’s List – Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2016 and Spring 2016
- Dean’s List – Fall 2017 and Fall 2015
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Fall Semester 2018 for Dr. Andrea Weyermann, Psychopathology & Abnormal Psychology and Careers in Psychology
- Intern, Summer 2018 & Summer 2019 with Global Ambassador Program, GSU Office of International Initiatives
- Member of the GSU Emerging Leaders Program – Fall 2015 and Spring 2016
- Poster Presentation – Sloan, D., & Barber, S. (2019, October 25). “The role of self-generation in the effects of cognitive reappraisal on emotion and memory outcomes” during the Georgia State Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference
After graduation, David will attend graduate school at Georgia State, earning concurrent master’s degrees in education and psychology.

Kai Stephenson
B.A. in Film and Media
General Honors Distinction
- Won three Jury Awards, two Awards for Best Acting, and an Award for Best Editing at Campus Movie Fest from Spring 2018-Spring 2020
- Post-production lead for Neo Network since Spring 2020, where he edited a mini-series that won a Student Emmy award
- Studied abroad in Morocco and France
After graduation, Kai will attend graduate school at Georgia State for the final year of his dual degree master’s in film production.

Sydney Stroud
B.B.A. in Marketing
- Marketing Roundtable Outstanding Minority Student Scholar
- Georgia State Volleyball

Mengzhu Tang
B.S. in Biological Sciences
- Dean and President’s Lists
- University Assistant

Linzie Taylor
B.S. in Neuroscience
General Honors Distinction
- Initiative Maximizing Student Development Fellowship
- Nu Rho Psi
- Honorable Mention for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
After graduation, Linzie Taylor will attend Emory University for their doctorate in neuroscience.

Scenarious Thurmond
B.A. in Sociology
General Honors Distinction
- Student assistant and first year residential mentor for university housing
- Dean’s and President’s List
- Served on executive board for both Black Student Alliance and Conscious Collective
- GSU Players member
- Participated in several theater productions
- Arts and Culture Director of Spotlight Programs Board
- Member of College Union Poetry Slam Invitational team
After graduation, Scenarious will attend graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi to earn a master’s degree in theatre performance.

Chase Timmons-Scott
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Co-President of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society
- Financial Secretary of the Zeta Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
- Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) Intern
- Fundraising and Sponsorship Chair for Georgia State’s St.Jude Collegiate Event

McKenzie Tooke
B.A. in Political Science
General Honors Distinction
- Student Government Association Senator, 2018-2019
- Completion of the Georgia Legislative Internship Program
- Completion of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Legislative Internship Program
- Member of Golden Key Honor Society
- Member of Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
After graduation, McKenzie will attend Johns Hopkins University and pursue a master’s degree in education while completing the Teach for America Program.

Katerina Townsend
B.S. in Psychology
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Summa Cum Laude
- Sister of the Delta Xi Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta
- Member of Order of Omega and Psi Chi
- University Housing Leader
After graduation, Katerina will attend the University of Chicago for her master’s degree in social sciences with a concentration in psychology.

Victoria Trainer
B.B.A. in Accounting, B.B.A. in Risk Management and Insurance
General Honors Distinction
- Robinson College of Business Honor Graduate
- Recipient of Spencer Educational Foundation Scholarship to attend the 2019 RIMS Enterprise Risk Management Conference
- Member of the Georgia State University team for the 2020 Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge
- Recipient of the International Education Fee Scholarship to study abroad in Cuba
After graduation, Victoria will be a risk assurance associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Phung Tran
B.S. in Exercise Science
General Honors, Advanced Honors and Research Honors Distinctions
- Sandy and G. Rankin Cooter Kinesiology and Health Honors Scholarship Recipient, 2017 & 2018
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Scholarship, 2019
- Moving University Students Closer to Leadership in Exercise Science Treasurer, 2016 – 2019
After graduation, Phung will start a blog at beactiveiseasy.com.
Alex Varela
B.A. in Criminal Justice
General Honors Distinction
- NSCS Member
After graduation, Alex will attend law school.

Rasika Vuppala
B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems, B.B.A. in Managerial Sciences
General Honors and Advanced Honors Distinctions
- Honors College Ambassador
- 1913 Society Ambassador
- Vice President of HOSA 2018-2019
- Member of LEAD with Honors 2020
- WomenLead University Assistant
- Member of Robinson College of Business Honors Program

Kathryn Whitley
B.S. in Neuroscience
Advanced Honors Distinction
- Brains and Behavior Fellowship
- Worked in the lab of Dr. Marise Parent
After graduation, Kathryn will complete her master’s degree in neuroscience at Georgia State.

Yash Yadav
B.S. in Biological Sciences
General Honors Distinction
- Contributed to research with the Synthetic Biology Club
After graduation, Yash will be attending Ross University School of Medicine.

Jeff Yang
B.S. in Biological Sciences
General Honors Distinction
- Department of Chemistry University Assistant
- Georgia State University Undergraduate Research Conference 2nd Place Poster Presentation
After graduation, Jeff will be attending medical school at Wake Forest School of Medicine.