SEMO Announces 2025-26 Student Life and Leadership Award Recipients

"These awards celebrate students who lead with purpose and make a meaningful difference in the SEMO community," said Michele Irby, director of Campus Life. "Whether they are serving others, leading organizations or creating opportunities for their peers, these students represent the kind of leadership that strengthens our campus and prepares them to make an impact after graduation."

President's Spirit of Southeast Awards

Awards presented to five undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 60 credit hours completed. Recipients demonstrate leadership, integrity, and involvement on and off campus, and they inspire others to get engaged with the University community.

• Amber Fenton, Kennett, Mo., senior interior design major with minors in writing and architectural design
• Grant Breece, Gideon, Mo., senior exceptional child education major and an autism spectrum disorder certification
• Lainey Canning, Marissa, Il., senior double major in agribusiness: agriculture communications and animal science
• Lamiyah Mackins, Cape Girardeau, Mo., junior social work major
• Oliver Romero, Cape Girardeau, Mo., senior nutrition major with minors in health promotion and management

First Year Student Awards

Recognizing first-year undergraduate students, 30 credit hours or less, with a minimum 2.75 GPA who have demonstrated outstanding leadership.

• Louise Isenberg, Lakeville, Ind., first-year sophomore theatre: design/technology major

Civic and Global Engagement Awards

Honoring students, faculty or staff who see the moral, civic, and global dimensions of public and social issues and take personal responsibility to make a difference through both political and non-political efforts.

• Center for Teaching & Learning
  • Kris Baranovic, director
  • Mary Harriet Talbut, senior instructional designer
  • Nathan Chandler, instructional design specialist
  • Pingping Fu, instructional design specialist

• Bryn Meyr, Jackson, Mo., graduate communication disorders major

Student Life Achievement Awards

Recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in community building at SEMO.

• Layne Collier, Benton, Mo., senior mass communication: advertising and public relations major with a minor in management

• Cameron Duncan, Cape Girardeau, Mo., junior mass communication: TV and film major with a minor in integrated marketing communications

University Contributor Awards

Presented to students, faculty, or staff who have significantly contributed to the University without necessarily holding formal leadership positions.

• Samuel Kawadza, Harare, Zimbabwe, sophomore communication disorders major with minors in developmental psychology and child development

• Cordelia Tugwete, Harare, Zimbabwe, sophomore communication disorders major with a minor in development psychology

Outstanding Student Organization Awards

Presented to registered student organizations that have made notable contributions to the campus community.

• SEMO PRIDE
  • Jamie Foster, Chaffee, Mo., junior social studies education major with a minor in political science
  • Ryan Fitzgerald, Piedmont, Mo., sophomore computer science major
  • Emily Jeffcott, St. Louis, Mo., senior cybersecurity major with a computer networking minor
  • Andrew Higgerson, New Madrid, Mo., sophomore anthropology major

• Student Nursing Association
  • London Popp, Jackson, Mo., senior nursing major
  • Vanessa Mugota, Harare, Zimbabwe, senior nursing major with a minor in social work
  • Suzan Helton, Doe Run, Mo., senior nursing major with a minor in developmental psychology
  • Heather Phillips, Scott City, Mo., senior nursing major
  • Amelia Stone, St. Louis, Mo., senior nursing major

Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award

Recognizing volunteer advisors who demonstrate outstanding commitment to both their student organizations and student leadership development.

• Dana Branson, associate professor of social work

Experiential Learning Awards

Awarded to one undergraduate student or group of students from each academic college and one graduate student who successfully participate in a learning experience that best exemplifies the experiential learning goals at SEMO.

College of Education, Health and Human Services Experiential Learning Award

• Student Missouri State Teachers Association
  • Gabby Kozuszek, St. Charles, Mo., senior early childhood education major
  • Emma Ferguson, Perryville, Mo., senior early childhood education major
  • Macy Archer, Jackson, Mo., senior elementary education major

College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Experiential Learning Award

• Brent Allen, Hannibal, Mo., senior double major in forensic chemistry and comprehensive chemistry

Harrison College of Business and Computing Experiential Learning Award

• Julie Lato, St. Louis, Mo., senior double major in accounting and international business

Holland College of Arts and Media Experiential Learning Award

• Working student designers:
  • Austin Schween, Cordova, Tn., senior theatre: design/technology major
  • Aryn Marshall, Branson, Mo., junior theatre: design/technology major with an interactive design technology minor
  • Mason Hagarty, Belleville, Il., senior theatre: design/technology major
  • Josie Freund, Cottleville, Mo., senior theatre: design/technology major

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Experiential Learning Award

• Dawson Berglund, Cape Girardeau, Mo., graduate historic preservation major

Graduate Studies Experiential Learning Award

• Chaytin Lea, Ste. Genevieve, Mo., graduate health administration major

The Student Life and Leadership Awards highlight the impact students and organizations make both on campus and in the broader community through service, collaboration and leadership.

By creating opportunities for students to lead, serve and gain meaningful experience, SEMO continues to prepare graduates to make an impact in their careers and communities.

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