College of Liberal Arts and Communication Announces Top Graduates for 2025-26
JONESBORO – The most outstanding graduating students in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication were recognized during Arkansas State University’s Convocation of Scholars, according to Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, dean of the college.
Kiri McMann of Pocahontas received the Chancellor’s Scholar award for the highest
GPA in the college.
McMann and nine other individuals are recipients of the 4.0 Scholar award. They are
Tristan Bates of Cabot, Cian Deevers of Jonesboro, Abigail Goforth of Cabot, Rocco
Hicks of Prattsville, Madison Holloway of Conway, Caton Marsh of Austin, Michael Moore
of Little Rock, Charles Truett of Olive Branch, Miss., and Miah Wood of Brookland.
The Chancellor's Scholar is the 4.0 student with the most credit hours completed at
A-State.
The graduating senior award recipients and their respective degree programs are (by
department):
Art + Design
Lydia Strickland of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), graphic design;
Sharline Vanpelt of Wynne, BFA, studio art;
Miah Wood of Brookland, BFA, art education; and
Cademon J. Larmoyeux of Little Rock, Bachelor of Science (BS), digital technology
& design - game design.
Communication
Zoe Mathes of Forrest City, BS, strategic communication;
Catherine Ford of Jonesboro and Raelyn Tinkle of Mountain View, Bachelor of Arts (BA),
communication studies;
Aubrey DeFries of Jonesboro and Brennen Grimes of Maumelle, Master of Arts (MA), communication
studies;
Shira Kelley of Rockport, Ark., MS, strategic communication, concentration in technology
law and policy;
Gabrielle Davis of Little Rock, MS, strategic communication, concentration in global
strategic communication;
Kali Bellomy of Orlando, Fla., MS, strategic communication, concentration in social
media management.
Jacob Grindstaff of Beebe, BS, strategic communication (A-State Online);
Kevin Acron of San Antonio, BA, communication studies (A-State Online);
Heather Clift of Maumee, Ohio, and Meredith Spencer of Kenbridge, Va., Master of Science
(MS), strategic communication (A-State Online); and
Louis Uribe of Greeley, Colo., and Jennifer Zuniga of Hanford, Calif., MA, communication
studies (A-State Online).
English, Philosophy and World Languages
Kiri McMann of Pocahontas, BA, English;
Laura Johnson of Rector, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), English;
Lillian Glidewell of Paragould, BA, philosophy;
Gabriela Alonso of Jonesboro, BA, world languages-global studies;
Shanell Brito of Wickes, BA, world languages-Spanish; and
Taylor Coffel of Paragould, MA, English.
Government, Law and Policy
Rocco Hicks of Prattsville, BA, government, law and policy;
Amy Lanning of Mountain Home, Master of Public Administration (MPA), nonprofit concentration.
Skylar Vance of Shawnee, Kan., MPA, public management concentration.
History
Sloan Sifford of Jonesboro, BA, history;
Jillian Kinder of Swifton, BSE, social science; and
Jayme Rawls of Little Rock and Lucas Timmerman of Jonesboro, MA, history.
Media and Journalism
Jerry Don Burton of Cherry Valley, BS, multimedia journalism;
Mackenzie Cutler of Harrison, BS, creative media production;
Saba Jamshed of Pakistan, Master of Science in Mass Communications (MSMC); and
Kevin Spence of Austin, Texas, MS, media management.
Music
Cara Snelson of Searcy, Bachelor of Music Education (BME), choral;
Charles David Truett of Lewisburg, Miss., BME, instrumental;
Kiri McMann of Pocahontas, Bachelor of Music (BM); and
Victoria Brownhill of Searcy, Master of Music (MM).
Sociology and Criminology
LeslieJo Sullivan of Little Rock, BA, criminology; and
Abigail Goforth of Cabot, BA, sociology.
Theatre
Francisca (Dee) Flax of Port Arthur, Texas, BA, theatre, acting emphasis;
Selena Hinds of Jonesboro, BA, theatre, general emphasis; and
Judith Bossi of Batesville, BA, musical theatre.
