NSU students receive NASPA recognition

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) - Northeastern State University senior Randilyn Thompson and graduate student Nikki Jones were recognized for their efforts and ambitions to become higher education professionals with the NASPA Undergraduate Rising Star and Graduate Student Rising Star Awards, respectively, for the state of Oklahoma.

Thompson and Jones were lauded Oct. 23 at an awards banquet during the region IV-West conference in Wichita, Kansas.

Both students are involved in the Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals organization, which assists students who may want to pursue a career in higher education. ASAP students have attended a number of conferences associated with their goals including the state-based Oklahoma College Student Personnel Association.

Thompson, a psychology major from Sand Springs, will graduate in May and plans to become a graduate student. She is currently eyeing a career in academic advising and credits the Academic Advising Office at NSUspecifically, the work and care provided to her from advisor, Katie Horn, with introducing her to the importance of the work in the field.

Jones is from Tahlequah and plans to find successful and rewarding employment in the field of higher education. She's worked with a number of offices at NSU including the Indigenous Scholar Development Center and multiple jobs and experience in the Department of Educational Leadership.

This marks the second time the awards were given to NSU students. Dae'lyn Smith and Hoang Do received the undergraduate and graduate awards last year. Additionally, Smith was recognized with a team of students as winners of the case study competition.