2 4 | VA L D O S T A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y Working memory, Carter confirmed, is a strong predictor of academic success, as it is essential for learning, problem-solving, and completing many everyday tasks. Brant plans to submit her findings to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for publication and possibly expand this research to other cognitive areas, such as attention. Brant’s commitment to academic, leadership, research, and service excellence resulted in her earning Dean’s List honors every semester and the 2025-2026 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Highest Academic Achievement Award. She was a Zell Miller Scholar. After graduation Brant plans to continue her education at VSU and pursue a Master of Education in Communication Disorders and a career as a speech-language pathologist. “I would love to recognize my outstanding mother, Crystal Brant; amazing grandmother, Donna Hoffman; loving little sister, Kailee Jo; and wonderful partner, Trenton Carter,” she replied, when asked about her biggest supporters. “Thank you for always pushing me to do my best and reassuring me that I belong here.” College of Science & Mathematics Mia Kiseki Price of Peachtree City, Georgia, is the recipient of the Spring 2026 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Science and Mathematics at Valdosta State University. She graduates magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, and an Honors College Certificate. “This award was very unexpected,” she said. “My goal was always to understand the material so that I could apply that knowledge to my next classes and eventually my professional degree, rather than being a top student with the College of Science and Mathematics. It is also strange because I have known many other students who I believe deserve the award just as much, if not more, than I. I am incredibly grateful, and it feels very rewarding for my work to pay off in this way, but I am also surprised.” As a student at VSU, Price was a member of the Pre-Vet Club and Animal Science Club, where she served as secretary, and the Honors Student Association. She also served as a 2024- 2025 associate scholar with the Southwest Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. James L. & Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education & Human Services Tia Michelle Grace Brant of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of the Spring 2026 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University. She graduates summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Disorders. “Being recognized with this award at the end of my undergraduate experience is both humbling and incredibly rewarding,” she said. “It represents more than just academic success. It reflects years of consistency, perseverance, and a commitment to pushing myself even when things felt challenging. There were moments throughout my time at VSU when I had to balance demanding coursework, leadership roles, and personal responsibilities, and this recognition makes those efforts feel seen and meaningful. “I am especially proud of myself for not settling and for continuing to grow, even in moments of uncertainty or stress. This honor feels like a full-circle moment, affirming that the hard work, long hours, and dedication I’ve invested truly mattered. It’s also a reminder that growth doesn’t always happen in big, obvious ways, but through daily choices to keep showing up and doing my best. “Ending my undergraduate journey with this award is both a celebration and a source of motivation as I look toward the future. It encourages me to carry this same work ethic, passion, and resilience into the next chapter of my academic and professional career.” As a student, Brant joined VSU’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, where she served on the social committee and was later elected president, and she supported the Lady Blazer basketball team as a student manager. She also volunteered with Special Olympics, Night to Shine, and other organizations, all while working two part-time jobs. Under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Carter, professor in VSU’s Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Brant completed a mini-longitudinal study that may significantly enhance a college student’s ability to learn. She found that getting 15 minutes of early morning sunlight, avoiding caffeine, and drinking about one liter of water within 90 minutes of waking was associated with improved working memory.
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