College of Education and Health Professions Recognizes Outstanding Student Success

The College of Education and Health Professions recognized more than 100 students at its annual awards ceremony, celebrating their academic success along with the effort, mindset and commitment it took to make these achievements possible.

Dean Kate Mamiseishvili applauded their determination, quoting New York Times best-selling author Koby Yamada's children's book, Finding Muchness: "How you do one thing is how you do everything. And anything worth doing is worth doing well."

"I love this quote, because it speaks to consistency, to consistent effort and choices that lead to success," she told the students. "You are here today because of the decisions you made when no one was watching or keeping you accountable. Your success is possible because you refused to cut corners and held yourself to high standards."

Faculty, staff, administrators, families and friends were on hand to recognize these exceptional students from every degree program, honors student researchers, senior and first-ranked senior scholars, and college award winners. Mamiseishvili said they cherish the opportunity to celebrate students who make the work so rewarding.

"When we recruit exceptional faculty and staff, engage in impactful research and partner with educators and healthcare professionals, we do all this so we can provide you with transformative educational experiences and make learning meaningful," she said. "You bring purpose into our work. You are why we show up every day and work hard to make our college better."

This year's Presidential Scholar Award winner, Mia Bazzy, also spoke at the event. Bazzy, a junior who's pursuing a bachelor's degree from the college's Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, shared about her evolution as a U of A student.

"That growth was made possible by the environment this university has created," she said. "The University of Arkansas and the faculty in the College of Education and Health Professions consistently challenge us to think critically, lead with integrity and approach our future careers with compassion. Their guidance has shaped not only what we learn, but how we apply that knowledge to serve others."

Bazzy said a career in nursing was a natural path for her, having grown up in a family of healthcare professionals and witnessed their dedication to caring for others.

"That experience taught me that professions in healthcare and education are about more than technical knowledge — they are about empathy, service and the responsibility to positively impact the lives of others," she said. "I believe that same sense of purpose is what connects so many of us in this college. What makes this community so meaningful is our shared commitment to improving the lives of others. Whether we are preparing to work in hospitals, classrooms, research labs or communities, we are all united by the belief that our work can create lasting change."

Bazzy congratulated her fellow awardees, lauding their academic achievements as well as their perseverance, determination and passion.

"It is truly inspiring to stand among such motivated and compassionate individuals," she said. "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities the University of Arkansas has given me, and I look forward to seeing the impact that everyone in this room will make as we carry what we have learned here into our future careers."

HOTZ AWARDS

Each year, the Henry G. and Stella Hotz Awards are presented to exceptional students from both the junior and sophomore classes. These awards were established in honor of Henry Hotz, a U of A faculty member for 24 years and dean of the College of Education for 11 years, and his wife, Stella, the first woman to obtain the rank of full professor at the university. The Hotz Award recipients are selected based on grade point average and academic accomplishments.

This year's Henry G. and Stella Hotz Award for outstanding sophomore was presented to Sabrina Blackmon, a student in the college's elementary education program. The Henry G. and Stella Hotz Award for outstanding junior was presented to John Money, a student in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AWARD

Every year, each college at the U of A names one undergraduate student as their Presidential Scholar. The Presidential Scholar program was established in 1981 in recognition of the investiture of James Martin as the University President. Presidential Scholars are selected based on academic achievement. The 2026 Presidential Scholar Award was presented to Mia Bazzy, a junior in the nursing program.

FIRST-RANKED SENIOR SCHOLARS

Since 1942, special recognition has been given to students with the highest grade point averages in the college. First-ranked senior scholars completed all their studies at the U of A and have a 4.0 GPA in all their coursework.

The 47 first-ranked senior scholars are Lillian Alexander, Mary Clark Allen, Alexandria Anderson, Caroline Elise Bene, Jacklyn Beres, Brianna Blanding, MaryEllen Brown, Hannah Cavanaugh, Sidney Click, Lilianna Couch, Paige Dyson, Isabella Nicole Floyd, Madison Gilsinger, Lillian D. Griffith, Julia Grace Gustafson, Marisa Renee Hale, Addisyn Brianne Hartman, Lauren Hathorn, Colby Hill, Montana Jenkins, Emily Johnson, Macy Kehoe, Caroline Kendall, Karaline Kerzie, Isabella Knopfel, Emma Bernice Kolker, Audrey Amalie Koster, Simeon Kyle, Abby M. McFadden, Kassidy McGuire, Chloe Marie Moore, Anna Morrow, Kaylee O'Brien, Mia Patella, Kadence Peel, Kiah Petzolt, Mallory Pike, Paige Schroeder, Catherine Schultz, Leah Simonton, Rylie M. Sisengrath, Avery Nicole Smith, Hope E. Stucky, Kenna Stutsman, Melaina Taylor, Annie Wendel and Jocelyn Williams.

SENIOR SCHOLARS

Senior Scholars have a 4.0 GPA but have taken at least one course at another college or university. This year's 23 outstanding students are Eliana Alysse Albright, Lauren Bennett, Brianna Crowley, Avanley Danenhauer, Elise Dean, Emma Harper, Kami Hider, Sakshi M. Iyengar, Megan Michelle Lucero, Austin Mack, Cassidy Isabella McGuire, Jacob Moore, Britni Madison Murphree, Alison Nieukirk, Caelen Oswalt, Miranda Evelyn Rollins, Harper Armstrong Rorex, Riley Russo, Dylan Michael Simpson, Brandon Stewart, Olivia Stuckey, Emily Ward and Katherine Wood.

HONORS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM WINNERS

The college's 15th Annual Honors Symposium winners were also recognized.

Isabella Floyd, an exercise science major, won the Best Literature Review Project Award for her poster presentation "Early Exposure, Frequent Use, and Skin Cancer Risk: Evidence on Indoor Tanning."

Mia Hastings, a social studies education major, earned the Best Practice-Based Project Award for her presentation titled "Analyzing Educators' Roles in Preparing Students for Civic Engagement in Arkansas Communities."

Noah Seiter, also a social studies education major, was presented the Best Research Project Award for his poster presentation "Belongingness and Motivation Among College Students."

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

The college also honored outstanding students from each of its six academic departments at the banquet.

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy: Katelyn Schluterman, Gracie Pendergraft and Kayla D. Lugo.

Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods: Essie "Charlene" Jewel, Nicholas Ryburn, Nicholas Hess, Brigit Ritchie, Lizy Humphrey, David Arcana, Destiny Jai Cummings, Joseph D. Bryson, Ashley Enz, Nicole Bonge, Miriam Phwandaphwanda, Kathryn Lynn Lammers, Brittany Odom, Anaid Espinosa and Hannah King.

Curriculum and Instruction: Dawson Hurt, Hannah A. Lockhart, Brianna Crowley, Lauren Bussey, Maria Schueler, Karen Rocha, Hamid Ahmad Almalki, Michad Holliday, Jessie Schafer, Serena Veloso, Tanya J. Adorno, Anna Pittman, Caleb Womack, Natalia Anderson, Jordan Reid Carpenter, Eleanor Larkin Thacker, Nakasha Franklin, Lauren Bussey, Jordan Scott and Kelly Brown.

Education Reform: Taylor Wilson and Al Mansor Helal "Shamim."

Eleanor Mann School of Nursing: Graciela Saunders, Kami Smythe, Christine Cole-Thompson, Tristan Cowden, Olivia Ouimette, Natasha Sanchez, Michel Thames Villiger and Allison Davis.

Health, Human Performance and Recreation: Katherine Wood, Stephanie M. Cotariu, Haruki Fukuda, Kristin Michelle Jett, Beatrice Nkunga, Rae-Anne Serville, Marilou Shreve, Kaden Zimlich, Chelsea Hoffman, Basanta Dahal, Lucas Clifton and Danielle Babiak.