NSU names Hannah Sweeney as Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate Student

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Northeastern State University’s Graduate College has announced Hannah Sweeney of Tahlequah as the recipient of the Fall 2025 Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Sweeney is a student in the Master of Science in Counseling program.

Each semester, the NSU Graduate College honors one graduate student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, leadership and contributions to both the university and the broader community. Nine finalists were nominated this fall.

According to Dr. Alexandra Meyers-Ellett, program director for counseling, Sweeney has been an outstanding student throughout her time in the graduate program, demonstrating deep understanding of counseling concepts and meaningful integration of her coursework into her developing professional identity.

“She is a compassionate and dependable cohort member who supports her peers with empathy and collaboration,” Meyers-Ellett said. “Her academic work consistently exceeds expectations, and she shows remarkable initiative and dedication to excellence. Hannah is expected to make valuable contributions to the counseling field upon graduation.”

NSU President Rodney Hanley said Sweeney represents the best of NSU’s graduate student community.

“Hannah embodies the commitment, compassion and intellectual rigor that define our graduate programs,” Hanley said. “Her achievements speak not only to her talent, but to her dedication to serving others. We are proud to honor her as this year’s Outstanding Graduate Student and look forward to the impact she will make in the counseling profession.”

Sweeney will be formally recognized with a medallion at NSU’s Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony for the College of Education on Dec. 13, 2025. She will also be presented with a plaque at the Graduate College Honors Assembly in the spring.

For more information about NSU’s upcoming commencement ceremony, visit nsuok.edu/commencement. 

A livestream will also be available on the NSU Facebook page at facebook.com/NSURiverHawks.

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