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National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition

Recipients

Student Award Winners Pose Together

The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition is proud to honor undergraduate students for their work on behalf of first-year students and the impact their efforts make on the students and cultures of their institutions.

Each year with our partners at DIA Higher Education Collaborators, we recognize up to five students with the Jordan Smith Undergraduate Fellowship and celebrate them at the Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience.

The recipients of the 2024-25 fellowships are:

Chauncy Betts Headshot

Chauncy Betts

Arkansas State University

Chauncy Betts is a sophomore student at Arkansas State University from McGehee, Arkansas. Betts is studying business and communications. Aiming to make campus life inclusive and exciting for all, he has immersed himself in various activities, including serving as a resident assistant in a freshman dorm, a Multicultural Center Ambassador, a high school recruiter, and a senator for the Student Government Association. As a first-generation college student, Betts understands the challenges that come with this experience. In his various roles, Betts has guided numerous first-year students in joining Christian communities, brother and sisterhoods, as well as leadership positions, while also mentoring them to navigate all aspects of college life. Betts strives to empower students to make an impact on campus, just as he has and will continue to do. 

Brock McHood Headshot

Brock McHood

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Brock McHood is a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) majoring in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Air Traffic Management. His peer mentorship experience dates back to his sophomore year at Cherry Creek High School, where he was a peer leader for the Creek Adventure Program, an experiential education course designed for high school students. Brock’s leadership journey continues at ERAU, where he serves as a Campus Academic Mentor (CAM), providing peer support and instruction in a University Success course. Additionally, Brock serves as the Administrative CAM, contributing to the redesign of ERAU’s University Success course. He is passionate about enhancing students’ sense of belonging through meaningful peer mentorship during their first year.

After graduation, Brock intends to continue his mentorship journey as a flight instructor and later plans to transition to a career as a commercial airline pilot.

Grace Prince Headshot

Grace Prince

Furman University

Grace Prince is a Senior at Furman University, from Toms River, New Jersey. She is majoring in Sociology, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, and minoring in Poverty Studies. Prince is president of Furman’s First-Generation Student Alliance, a Hearst Fellow, and The Academic Advising Committee Student Representative. Not to mention, she is a 2nd year Peer Mentor for Furman’s National Award Winning Pathways Program®.

After graduation in May 2025, she aims to attend law school and obtain a degree in law to help advocate for marginalized communities.

Karis Sustar Headshot

Karis Sustar

University of North Carolina - Greensboro

Karis Sustar is a senior Hospitality & Tourism Major at UNC Greensboro. She is from Niger, West Africa but now lives in Greensboro, NC. Karis has been working with first year students for three years as a Peer Academic Leader. She has become passionate about helping students from all walks of life adjust to college well. In addition to being a Peer Academic Leader, Karis is involved in several honors societies, runs her own business, and is in an accelerated MBA program. After graduation, Karis is looking forward to finishing her MBA and going on to law school where she plans to continue to use her skills to advocate for others.   

Kavitha Viswanadhan

George Mason University

See previous recipients of the Jordan Smith Undergraduate Student Fellowship


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