Kendra Ledbetter, a first-year graduate student in the communication sciences and disorders program at the University of Arkansas, has been awarded the Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellowship. This award is highly competitive and only given to qualified students who reflect both the University of Arkansas' commitment to academics and diversity.

In 2015, Ledbetter graduated from the University of Arkansas with her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. She later attended Carl Albert State College, where she became a licensed physical therapy assistant. Although she has always been interested in the medical field, it wasn't until she sat in on a speech-pathology therapy session that she found her true passion. It was during that session that she decided to go back to school and become a speech-language pathologist.

Ledbetter started her journey in speech-language pathology when she was accepted into the post-baccalaureate program here at the University Arkansas. From there, her commitment to excellence and her passion for the field lead her into the graduate program in the University of Arkansas where she has continued to thrive.

Rachel Glade, the program director of the communication sciences and disorders program, said, "Kendra has been a stand-out for academics and community service since stepping foot on campus. We have no doubt she will make our program and our profession proud in the future."

Ledbetter is scheduled to graduate May of 2021 and she said, "I want to make a difference in the lives of people, young and old. After graduation, I hope to use my education to help inspire individuals to overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life."