Announcing the Distinguished Graduates of the CHSE Class of May 2026

May 15, 2026

CHSE Class of 2026 Statistics

University Medalist

The University Medal is awarded to the undergraduate student (or students) graduating with the GPA of 4.0 or higher, provided that the student (or students) earn all A-level grades and more than 50 percent of the credits required for the degree has been earned at LSU A&M. Grade-point averages will be computed for (1) all work completed and (2) all work completed at LSU A&M with the lower of the two averages determining eligibility for the medal.

Kayla Bowes
Kinesiology
Greenville, SC

Elliena Ingraham
Human Development & Family Science
New Orleans, LA

Lauren Lemonier
Education
New Orleans, LA

Mia Scherer
Education
Baton Rouge, LA

Madison Elizabeth Trauth
Kinesiology
New Orleans, LA

Distinguished Dissertations

The College of Human Sciences & Education dissertation award recognizes research at the highest level of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to a field of study associated with one of our five schools. Each school has a nomination process for this award and the winners at the school level are then evaluated at the college level by a committee for this distinguished award. What makes this process even more special is that in CHSE, those questions addressed by our candidates directly reflect our college’s mission to improve the quality of life across the life span.

Shayne Creppel
Education
Natchitoches, LA

Bethany A. Hager
Leadership & Human Resource Development
Taunton, MA

CHSE Ambassadors

In 2014 the College of Human Sciences & Education Ambassadors Program began with a group of high achieving, and well-rounded students who declared a major within the College. Since that time, the Ambassadors program has helped: increase student enrollment; increase community awareness of CHSE programs; and develop leadership density within the College. Students in the Ambassadors program are the face of our College at recruitment events, campus activities, service projects in the community, and advocacy and alumni initiatives.

Sneha Chandhana Atluri
Kinesiology
Baton Rouge, LA

Paris Bickham
Kinesiology
Hammond, LA

Kaylee Caire
Kinesiology
Slidell, LA

KaMyah Elias
Social Work
Los Angeles, LA

Tayelor Aaliyah Kees
Kinesiology
New Orleans, LA

Sophie Miller
Kinesiology
Metairie, LA

Abigail Nicole Mire
Kinesiology
Baton Rouge, LA

Weston Pate
Kinesiology
College Station, TX

Chrystian Smith
Kinesiology
Eastvale, CA

Distinguished Communicators

Recipients of this honor are outstanding writers and speakers, with a strong command of visual literacy and technological communication. They have earned high GPAs in their communication-intensive courses throughout their baccalaureate years, sought 1-1 mentorships with faculty and have built websites that display their communication competencies and professional talents, both in and beyond the classroom.

Virginia (Jena) Bordelon, Kinesiology (Human Movement Science)
Faculty Advisor: Senlin Chen

Distinguished Undergraduate Researchers

The LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation recognizes the achievements of outstanding LSU undergraduates who participate in a track of educational and research activities leading to a final and public presentation or publication of a faculty-mentored undergraduate scholarly project. An LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher is a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability as an advanced student researcher in their discipline.

Virginia Bordelon | Kinesiology
Mika Ndikumana | Kinesiology
Olivia Marie Perry | Kinesiology
Marie Jasmine Vilcin | Kinesiology

Discover Day

LSU Discover Day is a university-wide undergraduate conference that provides a platform for students from all disciplines to share their research and creative projects. Student presentations include readings, posters, visual displays, art exhibitions, and oral presentations.

Engaged Citizen Honors

The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, & Leadership, in conjunction with LSU Campus Life, established the program to support and recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who engage significantly with their communities to address critical community needs. Students must complete a minimum of seven credit hours of coursework designated as service learning, 100 volunteer hours, and one reflective essay over their academic tenure at LSU to receive this distinction.