Congratulations, ECP Spring 2024 Graduates!

5/15/2024.

BATON ROUGE – The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership (CCELL), in conjunction with LSU Campus Life, is pleased to announce that 26 seniors will graduate with the Engaged Citizen distinction for Spring 2024. Students were recognized and awarded medals in a ceremony on Tuesday, May 14 on LSU's campus. 

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Twenty-six graduates received Engaged Citizen Program medals in Spring 2024. Our seniors represent eight LSU senior colleges and four are members of the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. Photo Credit: Alison Paz, Campus Life

Collectively, the Spring 2024 graduates have earned 309 service-learning credit hours and have volunteered approximately 3,254 hours across their local communities during their academic tenure at LSU. Some of this cohort’s volunteer opportunities include working with campus entities such as the LSU Food Pantry, LSU AgMagic, Project 225, and Geaux BIG Baton Rouge. 

Their individual engagement efforts also extend off-campus with organizations such as the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS), Baton Rouge General, Companion Animal Alliance, and several East Baton Rouge Parish schools.  
 
“We are incredibly proud of our first cohort of graduates to span eight different senior colleges. They completed service-learning coursework during their time at LSU in many different academic departments and went above and beyond to work alongside a range of community organizations while pursuing their degrees,” CCELL director Dr. Sarah Becker said.  

CCELL and LSU Campus Life established the Engaged Citizen Program to support and recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who engage significantly with their communities to address critical community needs. Any undergraduate student can apply to be a part of the program. 
 
“Graduates with the Engaged Citizens Distinction have dedicated more than 3,200 hours to effecting positive change in their community. These individuals have exhibited leadership skills and have made a significant impact not only in Baton Rouge but also in other areas. I am eager to see how these exceptional individuals will continue to create a positive impact in the world as alumni of LSU,” said Josh Finch, Director of Campus Life. 
 
Our seniors represent eight LSU colleges and four are members of the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College.  

The Spring 2024 Engaged Citizens are: 

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
Saylor Higgins, Animal Sciences (with a concentration in Science and Technology), Zachary, La. 
Shadayah Muhammad, Animal Sciences, Baton Rouge, La. 
 
E.J. OURSO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Andrea Aleman Pichardo, Marketing, New Orleans, La. 
 
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 
Cailynn Gerald, Biological Engineering, Diamondhead, Miss. 

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 
Olivia Amorando, Psychology, Yardley, Penn. 
Shay Bayer, Psychology, Metairie, La. 
Myrissa Eisworth, Anthropology and Sociology, Baton Rouge, La., Honors College 
Tay J. Moore, Political Science, Ringgold, La., Honors College 
Maxine Polma, Psychology, Dallas, Texas 
Bridget Seghers, Interdisciplinary Studies, Baton Rouge, La., Honors College 
 
COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES AND EDUCATION 
Micah Allen, Early Childhood Education, New Orleans, La. 
Kaitlyn Calais, Child and Family Studies, Cecilia, La. 
Olivia Dornan, Elementary Education, Arabi, La. 
Kori Edgerton, Early Childhood Education, Richmond, Va. 
Emma Flucke, Early Childhood Education, Mandeville, La. 
Katie LeBlanc, Elementary Education, Hammond, La. 
Nikki LeBlanc, Early Childhood Education, Erath, La. 
Emma Phillips, Social Work, Gonzales, La. 
Kayla Razo, Kinesiology, Houston, Texas 
Yazen Zaben, Kinesiology, Baton Rouge, La. 

COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMATIC ARTS 
Tay J. Moore, Music Arts, Ringgold, La., Honors College 

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE 
Annie Dinh, Biological Sciences, Geismar, La. 
Linley Kennedy, Biological Sciences, New Orleans, La. 
Valerie Macedo, Biological Sciences, Henderson, Texas 
Emercyn McMillan, Biological Sciences, Apple Valley, Minn. 
Mina Sheikh, Biological Sciences, Covington, La., Honors College 

MANSHIP SCHOOL OF MASS COMMUNICATION 
Mea Morrell, Mass Communication (with a concentration in Public Relations), New Orleans, La. 

To earn this distinction, the students must meet the high standards of the Engaged Citizen Program. Requirements for the semester’s cohort include completing a minimum of seven credit hours of service-learning designated coursework, a minimum of 100 hours of community service with approved organizations, and a reflective paper.

Visit www.lsu.edu/engagedcitizens for more information about the program.

CCELL fosters the scholarship of community engagement by integrating teaching, research, and service that emphasize civic responsibility and social accountability. For more information about service-learning at LSU, visit CCELL’s website at lsu.edu/ccell.

Campus Life works closely with more than 400 student organizations, countless student organization leaders and advisors, and is home to some of LSU's biggest traditions. The department's mission is to enhance student learning through innovative initiatives focused on the tenets of involvement, leadership, and service that enrich the LSU experience. Campus Life serves a student population and strives to make LSU an increasingly vibrant campus community. 

Media note: Please contact Taylor Armer (tarmer@lsu.edu) for headshots. 

 

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