Kennesaw State University

Marissa Alban came to Kennesaw State University to study nursing, a field driven by the passion of its practitioners. Unable to shake her love and talent for singing, however, she channeled her passion into a music major with a focus on vocal performance, where she remains on a path toward a career as a professional singer.

It didn't take long for Kennesaw State University student Lilianna Kocai to discover a passion for research. All it took was a little nudge from assistant professor Carl Saint-Louis. As a freshman, Kocai took a course called Culture of Science and Mathematics, designed by Saint-Louis to open young eyes to research at an early stage in their college careers.

As different as they may seem, there are a lot of parallels between lacrosse and the field of computer science. Kennesaw State University student Kendal Elison said both require persistence and flexible decision-making. "On the lacrosse field, I stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions. It's the same with coding," Elison said.

Micah Holston is pursuing bachelor's degrees in physics and political science. He is a substitute teacher in Cherokee County schools and conducts research part time for the Air Force Research Laboratory. He also is the vice president of the Kennesaw Nuclear Society and the KSU chapter of the North American Young Generation for Nuclear.

From U.S. Army combat medic to student researcher, Vanessa Young's journey at Kennesaw State University has set her on the path to reshape healthcare technology through human-centered designs. Graduating with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Young has achieved significant success since arriving at Kennesaw State's Marietta Campus.

Diya Patel knows she has a long road ahead to achieve her dream of becoming a physician, so she decided to sprint through the work needed to earn her undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State. At 19, she is graduating with honors with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Patel also made time to be a very involved member of the KSU community.

Claudia Garavis Montagut has completed an undergraduate research fellowship, gained field research experience, served as Model U.N. president, and enrolled in the KSU Journey Honors College. She also has been named a President's Parliament Scholar Ambassador and is a Double Owl pursuing both bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously.

Jacob Erasmus wasted no time getting involved on campus, finding a laboratory and research project through KSU's First-Year Scholars program and parlaying that work into a summer internship at a nature-based ingredient company. Now he has continued his research and has shown no signs of slowing down as a Sophomore Scholar.

In his pursuits to learn as much about his world as possible, Siam Sarower has been named to the President's List, earned a Coca-Cola First-Generation Scholarship, and joined the KSU Journey Honors College. He credits his parents and older brother, now a civil engineer, for supporting his journey as one of the first in his family to seek a degree.

After becoming a construction management student at KSU, Maria Benitez Blanco earned three years' worth of credits in just two years with near perfect grades. She was nominated to be one of Kennesaw State's 2024 Outstanding Student Scholars and participated in the 2024 Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia's Academic Recognition Day.

Looking to make a difference for years to come, the Interfraternity Council has established Kennesaw State's first scholarships by students for students. The IFC's contribution - with a match from the KSU Foundation - will result in two $25,000 endowed scholarships providing $1,000 per student annually beginning in Fall 2025.

Taking advantage of dual enrollment, Amari Cody was a college junior when she came to Kennesaw State to pursue a bachelor's degree. Only 16 months later, the KSU Journey Honors College student graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and looks forward to working on a Master of Social Work at Kennesaw State in Fall 2024.

In just three semesters at Kennesaw State, sophomore Ra'Nya Malone has made an impact. She joined a chemistry professor's laboratory, co-authored a published paper in a prestigious journal, spent a summer in a National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates, and presented her research at KSU's Symposium of Student Scholars.

KSU student Jordan St. Louis is using high-tech imaging technology to improve the safety of law enforcement officers and the community. His company, Generalized Robotics, founded during his freshman year, has created a 360-degree police camera called Patrol Buddy Go and has found its first client.

Aspiring doctors Emily and Calvin Ghasemi are receiving on-the-job training of a sort. Along with excelling in their classes, presenting research projects and participating in student groups while carrying full course loads at KSU, the siblings care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis.

Inspired by the "Crocodile Hunter," Christian Cave, Ryland McGreevy and Bobby Hardin Jr. are bringing their excitement for environmental ecology straight to their social media audiences - with 3.3 million likes on TikTok and 335,000 combined followers on Instagram and TikTok.

Britt Pickering, a Kennesaw State University sociology student, was named a 2018 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a Boston-based nonprofit working to advance the public purposes of higher education. Pickering was among 268 college students named this year and the only one from Kennesaw State.

Congratulations to the 11 CSM Outstanding Graduating Student Award recipients! The students and their faculty mentors were honored on Saturday, April 29, 2017. The 2016-2017 CSM Outstanding Graduating Students are: John Goodwin, MS in Chemical Sciences; Fernando Castellani, BS in Biochemistry; Omar Ugarte Trejo, BS in Chemistry; Michelle Edward, BS in Biology; Ruth Richir, Secondary Mathematics MAT; David Richmond, BS in Mathematics; Margaret Slomkowski, BS in Mathematics Education; Zachery Mielko, MS in Integrative Biology; Wesley Queen, Secondary Science MAT; Johnathon Ard, BS in Physics; and Reuben Hilliard, MS in Applied Statistics. Department faculty in the College of Science and Mathematics selected one outstanding graduating student per degree program. Outstanding students are selected based on notable achievements in the major field, including having earned an exceptional GPA, as well as notable achievements in extracurricular, research or professional activities.