2 2  |  VA L D O S T A  S T A T E  U N I V E R S I T Y
Hernandez joined VSU’s Red Hots dance team three years ago. 
That decision proved to be one of the most defining parts of her 
college journey, giving her a sense of belonging and becoming a 
source of discipline, confidence, and connection. 
She earned All-American honors at the 2024 National Dance 
Alliance College Camp and was later recruited to be part of 
the NDA staff in 2025. She was also a member of the 2025 
and 2026 NDA Hip Hop and 2026 NDA Jazz Division II 
Collegiate National Championship-winning VSU teams, 
further establishing the Red Hots as a powerhouse dynasty. 
The double win this year was a first for the VSU Red Hots. 
She will continue her dance career this summer as a member of 
the NDA staff.   
Hernandez’s commitment to academic, athletic, leadership, 
research, and service excellence resulted in her earning Dean’s 
List honors every semester, the 2024-2025 Clare Philips Martin 
Scholarship, and the 2025-2026 Division of Athletics Student-
Athlete Academic Award. She was also honored by VSU 
Athletics with a Student Athlete Academic Spotlight recognition 
in Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Spring 2025.   
After graduation she will begin her career with the Marriott 
International Voyage Program, on the accounting and finance 
track. This is a 12- 18-month paid leadership program for recent 
graduates to develop skills in managerial accounting within a 
hotel setting. She will also begin preparing for her actuarial 
exams and work towards becoming a credentialed actuary.  
When asked about her family and how they have contributed 
to her success, Hernandez said, “My biggest supporters are 
my parents, Victor O. Hernandez and Wendy Hernandez; 
my brother, Victor M. Hernandez; and my boyfriend, Henry 
Garces. Receiving this award wouldn’t be possible without my 
amazing support system. I rely on my family, and I know that 
they will always be there for me. Although my family is seven 
hours away, they never miss a phone call and drive up to watch 
every performance. I love them with all my heart, and I am 
thankful to have them in my life as my personal cheerleaders.”
  
Harley Langdale Jr. 
College of Business Administration
Kassidy Jazmine Hernandez  
of Miami, Florida, is the recipient 
of the Spring 2026 President’s 
Award for Academic Excellence for 
the Harley Langdale Jr. College of 
Business Administration at Valdosta 
State University. She graduates 
summa cum laude with a Bachelor 
of Business Administration in 
Finance, a Bachelor of Business 
Administration in Applied 
Economics, a Minor in Applied Mathematics, and a Certificate 
in Data Science.
“It is an amazing accomplishment and a fulfilling feeling to 
be recognized as a top student from the Langdale College of 
Business Administration,” she said. “I came to VSU eager to 
learn, but unsure of what I wanted to study and what career 
I wanted to pursue. I never thought that I would receive 
this award. I came to VSU on my own, with the support of 
my family, to become independent, learn about myself, and 
challenge myself to make friends. Knowing that I made lifelong 
friends and that I had the support from my professors to 
succeed is an accomplishment in itself. This culminating honor 
is one that I will always cherish and will be my motivation to 
continue to work hard and excel.” 
As a student at VSU, Hernandez was inducted into The 
National Society of Leadership and Success, where she served as 
secretary, and Beta Gamma Sigma: The International Business 
Honor Society. She volunteered at local elementary schools and 
represented the Data Science program at Open House events 
as a student ambassador. She also presented mathematical 
modeling research at the university’s 2024 Undergraduate 
Research Symposium.    
President’s Award for Academic Excellence 
The President’s Award for Academic Excellence is presented to a high-performing graduating student in each of VSU’s six colleges — 
Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of the Arts, James L. and 
Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education & Human Services, College of Science & Mathematics, and College of Humanities & 
Social Sciences.

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