SHREVEPORT – LSU Shreveport’s best and brightest were honored Wednesday at the Academic Awards Convocation in the LSUS Theatre.
All 102 degree program concentrations chose a Student of the Year in addition to recognition of students on the Chancellor’s List and Undergraduate Research Scholars.
A total of 118 undergraduates made the Chancellor’s List, which requires a 3.8 GPA combined in the 2025 Spring and Fall semesters.
“We’re proud to recognize the very best students at LSU Shreveport for academic excellence,” said LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith. “This is an important opportunity to take time away from tests, quizzes, homework assignments, term papers and semester projects to celebrate the best of the best.”
Thirty-one students earned an undergraduate research scholar distinction, a new award this year that recognizes undergraduates that have collaborated with faculty on significant research projects in 2025.
“Undergraduate research is a powerful learning experience that allows students to move beyond the classroom and engage in discovery,” said LSUS Provost Dr. Helen Taylor. “This award recognizes students who, through their research, have developed critical thinking skills, collaborated closely with faculty mentors and contributed to meaningful scholarly and creative work.”
STUDENTS OF THE YEAR
College of Arts and Sciences
BA English (Literary Studies) Brendan Anderson BA English (Writing in Multiple Media) Sierra Scalf BA History (Generalist) William Pesnell BA History (Political Science) Mack Miles BA Sociology Racheal Cantu BCJ Security Studies Cameron Fontenot BCJ Generalist Aubree Harris BCJ Forensic Science Danielle Arrindell BFA Digital Arts Jessica Askew BS Mass Communication (Digital/Broadcast) Cameron Braun BS Mass Communication (Journalism/PR) Emerson Spohr MA Liberal Arts Mikal Barnes MS Nonprofit Administration Serena Hawtin BS Biological Sciences (Cellular & Molecular) Carson Riser BS Biological Sciences (Field & Organismal) Tye Gaither BS Chemistry Bhavya Sarda BS Mathematics and Physics Kegaljoe Burrill BS Computer Science (Cybersecurity) Gavin Schawach BS Computer Science (Digital/ Design Jayden Jones BS Computer Science (Information Systems) Andrew Pace BS Computer Science (Software Dev.) Alejandro Munoz MS Biological Sciences Nathan Holley MS Biological Sciences (Cellular/Molecular) Nakaa Asalya MS Biological Sciences (Field/Organismal) Hayley Laidlaw MS Biological Sciences (Environmental) Jeremy Gill MS Biological Sciences (Health Science) Jada Butler MS Comp Sys Tech (Biomedical Informatics) Wei Chen MS Comp Sys Tech (Business Administration) Thi Uyen Mai MS Comp SysTech (Computer Science) Showrab Habib MS Comp Sys Tech (Cybersecurity) Thien M Le BS General Studies Brookelyn Loyd BS General Studies (Natural Science) Mallory Newson BS General Studies (Applied Science) Jean Huete BS General Studies (Humanities) Aiden McGinnis
College of Business
| BS Accounting | Zoe Spencer |
| BS Accounting (Public Accounting) | Rola Zidan |
| BS Finance | Joseph Lewis |
| BS Finance (Financial Analysis) | Matt Lowe |
| BS Finance (Financial Planning) | Kindehafti Easter |
| BS Finance (Real Estate) | Mathew Mestepey |
| BS Finance (Real Estate Accelerated) | Tara Cady |
| BS General Business | Anthony Armstrong |
| BS General Business Administration | Jahir Martinez |
| BS Bus Administration (Entrepreneurship) | Joshua Smith |
| BS Bus Administration (Intl. Business) | Laura Kucharz |
| BS Insurance | Patrick Barnes |
| BS International Business | Abrianna Kramer |
| BS Management | Austin Jacobi |
| BS Management and Administration | Brent Young |
| BS Management (Human Resource Mgmt) | Melissa Monroy |
| BS Management (International Business) | Lucia Martinez |
| BS Management (Business Law) | Daktoa Roberts |
| BS Management (Information Systems) | Rajesh Sneed |
| BS Marketing | Caden Mayeaux |
| BS Marketing (Accelerated) | Kiliegh Mears |
| BS Marketing (Advertising Design) | Tatiana Kei Cang |
| BS Marketing (Data Analytics) | Maverick Alsobrook |
| BS Marketing (International Business) | Celina Olivera |
| BS Marketing (Sales) | Hunter Hamilton |
| MBA Accounting | Judy Henrique |
| MBA Data Analytics | Heather Wilson |
| MBA Entrepreneurship | Nayona Pena |
| MBA Finance | Hani Qaqish |
| MBA Human Resources | Casey Shaw |
| MBA International Business | Nathan Amos |
| MBA General Business | Andrew Mason |
| MBA Hospitality/Casino Management | Lorena Bernal Mendoza |
| MBA Marketing | Taylor Young |
| MBA Project Management | Cherie Hauck |
| Master of Health Administration | Angela Starks |
College of Education and Human Development
| BS Early Child Education | Kelbie Green |
| BS Elementary Education | Carly Wheelhouse |
| BS Secondary Education (Social Studies) | Brendan Burns |
| BS Secondary Education (Mathematics) | Catherine Mikesell |
| BS Secondary Education (Chemistry) | Makinzie Thomas |
| BS Secondary Education (English) | Zoey Thomas |
| Master of Ed. (Curriculum & Instruction) | Brianne Loupe |
| Master of Ed. (STEM) | Deja Nelson |
| Master of Ed. (ESL) | Jaylen Forest |
| Master of Ed. (Reading) | Latesha Brumfield |
| Master of Ed. (Education Tech Leader) | Hannah Byrnes |
| Master of Ed. (Urban Teaching/Leadership) | Rachel Mellinger |
| Master of Ed. (Adult Education) | Dynasty Roberson |
| Master of Ed. (Special Ed Leadership) | Ryan Kennedy |
| Master of Ed. (Teacher Leader) | Aaron Terrell |
| BS Public Health (Community & Pub Health) | Megan Potter |
| BS Public Health (Pre-Occupational Therapy) | Georgette Berne |
| BS Public Health (Pre-Physical Therapy) | Laci Parker |
| BS Psychology | Hailey Spolarich |
| BS Psychology (Applied Behavioral Analysis) | Stone Alsobrook |
| BS Occupational Physiology Environmental | Caleb Kidd |
| BS Occ. Physiology Exercise Science | Aksel Kjelsmark |
| EdD Disaster Prep./Emergency Mgmt. | Braiden Greene |
| EdD Health Communication & Leadership | Ursula Heflick |
| EdD Leadership Studies | Christopher Seikman |
| MPH | Kela Kauha’aha’a |
| Master of Public Health | Theresea Governale |
| MS Counseling | Kessyn Alan |
| MS Counseling (Rehabilitation Counseling) | Shadavia Caldwell |
| MS Counseling (Clinical Rehab Counseling) | Ariana Marshall |
| Specialist in School Psychology | Emily DeGruise |