Faculty and staff from the College of Arts and Science acknowledge exceptional graduating seniors.
twelve outstanding A&S seniors


As each semester nears its conclusion, faculty and staff members from various departments within the College of Arts and Science come together to nominate exceptional graduating seniors.

These nominees extend beyond the expected candidates for additional acknowledgment. Instead of solely considering academic achievements, job placements, or accolades, the faculty and staff of A&S have chosen students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and personal growth throughout their time at Mizzou. These students have left a lasting impression through their ambitions, resilience, involvement, and other meaningful contributions.

Explore the profiles below to discover more about some of the remarkable Tigers set to graduate in May 2024.

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Fletcher Jackson
Fletcher Jackson

Fletcher Jackson

Major: Religious Studies major, Psychology minor, Multicultural certificate
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
Mizzou was the only college that I wanted to attend and it was the only college I applied for. I loved our campus, the architecture and botanical elements. I was enamored with the Tucker Greenhouse as well as downtown Columbia. I felt like Mizzou was calling to me and I set my heart on Mizzou. I originally came here as a Forestry major, however I realized that I didn't enjoy my classwork or field in general as much as I thought I would. I knew I didn't want to drop out but I wasn't sure what I wanted to study. I decided that I should find a major I knew I would enjoy and could finish a degree in and then realized that we had a Religious Studies program. It was a perfect match for me with many more practical applications than I had foreseen.   

What are your plans after graduation?
I want to complete Clinical Pastoral Education training, receive a Masters in Religious Studies from Missouri State University to become a credentialed hospice Chaplain and provide comfort to the dying.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
Ruth Crozier, she has been imperative to my success this last year of school through helping me access resources, lending a supportive listening ear, and presenting me with ideas and opportunities I would have never known about otherwise.

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Aubrey Pipkins
Aubrey Pipkins

Aubrey Pipkins

Major: Biological Sciences. Also earning a minor in Psychology. 
Hometown: Gainesville, Missouri 

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
 I opted to pursue a major in Biology to align with my academic aspiration of becoming a physician-researcher.

What are your plans after graduation?
Currently, I am enrolled at Mayo Clinic as a post baccalaureate student, focusing my studies on Diabetes. My aim is to leverage this invaluable experience to enhance my candidacy as I prepare to pursue admission to an MD-PhD program.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
I'd like to extend a heartfelt shout-out to Jordan, Laura, Elise, and Christian! Their presence has transformed my workdays into cherished experiences, infusing our workplace with warmth and camaraderie. Additionally, I want to recognize my fellow peer advisors, Drew, Hailey, Madelyn, and Breeyn. Working alongside each of you has been immensely gratifying, and I'll sincerely miss our collaboration. It's been a privilege to encounter such compassionate and driven individuals.

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Charithasri Doddapaneni
Charithasri Doddapaneni

Charithasri Doddapaneni

Major: Psychological Sciences (BS), Pre-Med Emphasis. Also earning a minor in Biological Sciences.
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado 

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I am interested in being a neurosurgeon and I started developing an interest in Psychology after taking AP Psychology in high school which is why I decided to pursue a BS in Psychology. I chose Mizzou because I knew that it would be the perfect place to pursue my interests in various interdisciplinary research and also be a part of a student community concerning ethnic identities that I couldn't find at other schools that I applied to.

What are your plans after graduation?
I am actually graduating a year early, so I will be moving home to Colorado next year and working a full-time job as a Medical Assistant in a Skin Cancer Surgery Clinic. However, I am also applying to medical schools this spring so hopefully I will be attending medical school starting Fall 2025.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
I would give a shoutout to Dr. Laura A King. She has been my research mentor since Day 1 of my Mizzou experience and she has been with me through my starting projects and now is guiding me to my first publication. She has been the only faculty member I have been working with closely, a mentor that I can turn to for help with not just academics but also with problems in my life. She has been a very close friend, and I feel like a part of her family. She has provided me with the experiences I need to push through future research endeavors and has aided me to grow into the professional I am today, ready to apply to medical schools and explore my dreams beyond the Mizzou campus. I hope that I can continue to stay in contact with her even after my time at Mizzou and I hope to share exciting milestones of mine along the way with her as I know that she will be rooting for me through all of my highs and lows.

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Hallie Vaughn
Hallie Vaughn

Hallie Vaughn

Major: Russian. Also earning a minor in Aerospace Studies
Hometown: Ash Grove, Missouri

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
This is actually a funny story. In high school, I had applied for a scholarship through the Air Force which would have allowed for me to get a bachelor's degree and then commission as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduation. I had always wanted to join the AirForce, so this was a perfect opportunity, and I got the scholarship! This was a language-based scholarship so to utilize it, I needed to major in a language. My top choices were Japanese and Russian and it turned out that Mizzou had a Russian program! So here I am four years later, studying at Mizzou and a Russian major!

What are your plans after graduation?
I'll be commissioning as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force and going to school in June! I was picked up as an Intelligence Officer which is so exciting! Lots of things to come in my future career! 

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
I would love to give Dr. Tim Langen a shout out as both a magnificent professor and advisor. I would not have made it this far in the program if it wasn't for him. I never would have thought that drawing squiggles around and around on a chalkboard would ever be related to learning the Russian language, but he makes absolute sense. Thank you Dr. Langen for listening to and understanding my own nonsense these last four years. Thank you for your eternal patience and understanding. 

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Jaden Reed
Jaden Reed

Jaden Reed 

Major: BA in International Studies-Peace Studies; Also earning a minor in Middle East Studies, Political Science, & French.
Hometown: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I chose Mizzou because of its unique offering of Peace Studies as an emphasis and because it was my mother's alma mater. 

What are your plans after graduation?
I am considering an offer at Georgetown University to pursue an inaugural Masters in International Migration and Refugees as well as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Kyrgyzstan. I hope to practice refugee law in an international context.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
Dean Monnier, always. Dr. Nicole Monnier deserves recognition because the spirit of realist optimism she has retained over two decades of empathetic decision-making at Mizzou has shown me the merit of persevering whether or not the change is seen within our lifetime.

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Kristyna Le
Kristyna Le

Kristyna Le

Major: Public History, Sociology. Also earning a minor in Spanish 
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I chose Mizzou because I enjoyed its history program and the overall distance from home. As for my major, I knew I wanted to do something related to history, but I am also heavily concerned about how people interact with history. Learning that Mizzou had a public history program, I felt like it was a major that answered to my academic needs. I then also picked up a sociology major in order to complement my history major as I would gain a better perspective on why things happened the way they did, but I also fell in love with the subject of sociology along the way. 

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on attending graduate school to pursue a degree in Library and Information Science as I aim to become an archivist in the future!

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
If I were to give a shoutout, it would definitely be for my academic advisor, Brittony Hein! She is an amazing advisor that makes it known that she cares for every student she comes across. She has been instrumental in my journey through college! Every student I know that either has her as their advisor, or has interacted with her, all have raving positive reviews. I wholeheartedly believe that she is an amazing representation of the values that A&S has in supporting students. 

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Ethan Welker
Ethan Welker

Ethan Welker

Major: Music Education and Spanish
Hometown: Perryville, Missouri 

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I love learning and want to inspire students to learn as well. I want to help students find their place in the world and be successful in it.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will teach PreK-8 music at St. Louis Language Immersion School. SLLIS is a public charter school that uses a dual-immersion model, with half of the instruction in English and the other half in Spanish, Mandarin, or French. I am excited to involve both of my passions in this capacity!

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
Throughout my entire academic career, I have had numerous mentors who have helped shape and guide me towards success. An exhaustive list would be arduous, but I would like to shout out a few people from the music and Spanish departments. Dr. Wendy Sims, music education has been core in my growth as a reflective and professional educator and scholar. My entire cohort acknowledges her role in our education. Dr. Megan Arns, percussion, has helped me grow as a musician and performer in our applied lessons. Finally, I would like to shout out Dr. Mamadou Badiane from the Spanish department. From coursework and study abroad to post-graduation plans, Dr. Badiane has given me unwavering support. 

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Akira Potts
Akira Potts

Akira Potts

Major: BA in Public Admin & Policy and Communication. Also earning a minor in Sociology, Leadership & Public Service.
Hometown: Richmond, Texas

What was your favorite leadership experience and why?
I loved getting to be a part of the executive board of the Mizzou Student Foundation. Acting as Co-VP of membership gave me fun and relevant experience planning and coordinating recruitment and team-building events for our current and prospective members. It also allowed me to grow closer with the other members of our leadership team as well as with our advisor and I have been able to develop close-knit relationships that will last beyond my time spent as a student at Mizzou.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I'll spend a year driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile across the Hot Dog Highways of America!

What was your favorite student organization or community involvement experience and why?
My favorite student org is the United Ambassador Student Recruitment Team because it awarded me with so many cool opportunities to travel to new places and also to interact with future tigers and share my love for Mizzou!

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Katie Hoffman
Katie Hoffman

Katie Hoffman

Major: English. Also earning a minor in Spanish.
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri 

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I chose Mizzou because I wanted to be at a school that would support me throughout the process of transferring, especially after a gap year. Mizzou went above and beyond to make the transition seamless, and I have experienced so much more here than I ever could have imagined. Mizzou also had so many great opportunities in the English Department, which I was super excited about. I have always loved reading and writing, but I am so grateful for the way Mizzou English has broadened my horizons and experiences in English. 

What are your plans after graduation?
I will be attending NYU for a Masters in Publishing and Creative Writing.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
Donald Quist. He has been such a supportive figure and given me so much encouragement and direction in my writing. I wouldn't know the value of my own writing, something that I now hold very dear to myself, without him. 

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Samantha Mackley
Samantha Mackley

Samantha Mackley

Major: Economics and Statistics. Also earning a minor in mathematics.
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri 

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I chose Mizzou because growing up in Columbia, I knew being a Tiger was a possibility, and coming into college, I was unsure about my major. Mizzou offered a chance to explore various disciplines with excellent faculty and opportunities. I chose economics because it helps explain patterns in the economy while also fostering creative and critical thinking about social issues, policy choices, and the wide-ranging consequences of actions, both intended and unintended. I'm particularly interested in using these tools to understand the nuanced dynamics of poverty and to support vulnerable groups.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will join the Office of Economic Manpower Analysis at West Point as a data analyst for a couple of years before applying to Ph.D. programs in Economics.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
I would give a shoutout to my research mentor, Dr. Brittany Street, in the Department of Economics. Before meeting Dr. Street, I knew very little about academic and economic research. She has been instrumental in expanding my knowledge and broadening my horizons for future academic study and career paths. Further, she has instilled a passion in me for economics and research. Thanks to her guidance, I have the tools to explore my interest in economics and conduct research now and in the future. I also want to acknowledge my academic advisor, Kati Abbott, who has been wonderful in helping me organize my schedule, meet all requirements, and maximize my preparation for graduate school.

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Michael Kuria
Michael Kuria

Michael Kuria

Major: General Studies and Construction Management
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
 I chose Mizzou because of its proximity to home and its beautiful campus. As for my major, I've been immersed in construction my entire life, working alongside my dad on various projects. I find immense joy in bringing people together to transform raw land into tangible structures that benefit communities. 

What are your plans after graduation?
I secured a position with Fischer Homes, a reputable home builder in St. Louis. In this role, I will build communities while helping families build their dream homes.

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
My shoutout would go to my academic advisor, Carlynn Trout. She played a pivotal role in my academic journey at Mizzou by assisting me in creating an individualized major and selecting courses that aligned perfectly with my aspirations. Her support and guidance were instrumental in my success at Mizzou and in achieving my degree.

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Elizabeth Cahalan
Elizabeth Cahalan

Elizabeth Cahalan

Major: BA in Ancient Mediterranean Studies and BS in Geological Sciences
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas

Why did you choose Mizzou and/or your major?
I had contacted Professor Schenker about the Latin program and he cemented my choice to come here. As for geology, well I took a risk and fell in love with the department.

What are your plans after graduation?
Take my dog and go hike all the Fourteener mountains in Colorado, and I've accepted a position at Terracon. 

If you were to give a shoutout to an A&S person (faculty advisor, staff, fellow student), who would that be, and why?
Oh goodness. I don't think I can give just one person. Professor Appold, Becca May, Paco Gomez, Nate Hopkins, Professor Schenker, Dr. McDonald, Dean Monnier, Ryanesha Green, Ellison Land, Professor Heringman, and Professor Quist. Each one of these individuals has greatly impacted my time here at Mizzou, I would not be the person I am without them.