News

College of Liberal Arts and Communication Announces Top Graduates for 2025-26

Photo: Arkansas State University


Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The most outstanding graduating students in the College of Liberal Arts and Communication were recognized during Arkansas State University’s Convocation of Scholars, according to Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, dean of the college.

Kiri McMann of Pocahontas received the Chancellor’s Scholar award for the highest GPA in the college.

ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now

McMann and nine other individuals are recipients of the 4.0 Scholar award. They are Tristan Bates of Cabot, Cian Deevers of Jonesboro, Abigail Goforth of Cabot, Rocco Hicks of Prattsville, Madison Holloway of Conway, Caton Marsh of Austin, Michael Moore of Little Rock, Charles Truett of Olive Branch, Miss., and Miah Wood of Brookland.

The Chancellor’s Scholar is the 4.0 student with the most credit hours completed at A-State.

The graduating senior award recipients and their respective degree programs are (by department):

Art + Design

  • Lydia Strickland of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), graphic design;
  • Sharline Vanpelt of Wynne, BFA, studio art;
  • Miah Wood of Brookland, BFA, art education; and
  • Cademon J. Larmoyeux of Little Rock, Bachelor of Science (BS), digital technology & design – game design.

Communication

  • Zoe Mathes of Forrest City, BS, strategic communication;
  • Catherine Ford of Jonesboro and Raelyn Tinkle of Mountain View, Bachelor of Arts (BA), communication studies;
  • Aubrey DeFries of Jonesboro and Brennen Grimes of Maumelle, Master of Arts (MA), communication studies;
  • Shira Kelley of Rockport, Ark., MS, strategic communication, concentration in technology law and policy;
  • Gabrielle Davis of Little Rock, MS, strategic communication, concentration in global strategic communication;
  • Kali Bellomy of Orlando, Fla., MS, strategic communication, concentration in social media management.
  • Jacob Grindstaff of Beebe, BS, strategic communication (A-State Online);
  • Kevin Acron of San Antonio, BA, communication studies (A-State Online);
  • Heather Clift of Maumee, Ohio, and Meredith Spencer of Kenbridge, Va., Master of Science (MS), strategic communication (A-State Online); and
  • Louis Uribe of Greeley, Colo., and Jennifer Zuniga of Hanford, Calif., MA, communication studies (A-State Online).

English, Philosophy and World Languages

  • Kiri McMann of Pocahontas, BA, English;
  • Laura Johnson of Rector, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), English;
  • Lillian Glidewell of Paragould, BA, philosophy;
  • Gabriela Alonso of Jonesboro, BA, world languages-global studies;
  • Shanell Brito of Wickes, BA, world languages-Spanish; and
  • Taylor Coffel of Paragould, MA, English.

Government, Law and Policy

  • Rocco Hicks of Prattsville, BA, government, law and policy;
  • Amy Lanning of Mountain Home, Master of Public Administration (MPA), nonprofit concentration.
  • Skylar Vance of Shawnee, Kan., MPA, public management concentration.

History

  • Sloan Sifford of Jonesboro, BA, history;
  • Jillian Kinder of Swifton, BSE, social science; and
  • Jayme Rawls of Little Rock and Lucas Timmerman of Jonesboro, MA, history.

Media and Journalism

  • Jerry Don Burton of Cherry Valley, BS, multimedia journalism;
  • Mackenzie Cutler of Harrison, BS, creative media production;
  • Saba Jamshed of Pakistan, Master of Science in Mass Communications (MSMC); and
  • Kevin Spence of Austin, Texas, MS, media management.

Music

  • Cara Snelson of Searcy, Bachelor of Music Education (BME), choral;
  • Charles David Truett of Lewisburg, Miss., BME, instrumental;
  • Kiri McMann of Pocahontas, Bachelor of Music (BM); and
  • Victoria Brownhill of Searcy, Master of Music (MM).

Sociology and Criminology

  • LeslieJo Sullivan of Little Rock, BA, criminology; and
  • Abigail Goforth of Cabot, BA, sociology.

Theatre

  • Francisca (Dee) Flax of Port Arthur, Texas, BA, theatre, acting emphasis;
  • Selena Hinds of Jonesboro, BA, theatre, general emphasis; and
  • Judith Bossi of Batesville, BA, musical theatre.

| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter

This Week in Jonesboro

Music News

50 minutes ago in Entertainment, Music

New Beatles fan experience set to open in London in 2027

Fresh

The Beatles are headed back to one of the band's most famous sites with a new fan experience in London. Apple Corps Ltd, the company founded by the Fab Four, announced Monday that it will open a new seven-floor fan experience at the company's early headquarters.

4 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Shakira teases new song for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Afrobeats star Burna Boy called ‘Dai Dai’

The Colombian singer shared a minute-long teaser clip on Thursday of a new song, writing on social media, "From Maracaná Stadium, here is "Dai Dai," the FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026." She also included a mention of Afrobeats star Burna Boy.

4 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Inside the Rolling Stones’ exclusive new album event: What we know about ‘Foreign Tongues’ so far

Earlier Tuesday, the band confirmed that they will release a new record, titled "Foreign Tongues," this summer, and dropped a new single called "In The Stars." Journalists, VIPs and celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Odessa A'zion and Lindsey Vonn waited in the echoing hall to witness Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood's first conversation about the new album.

7 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas residency due to health issues: ‘Everything I have is treatable’

Dolly Parton has canceled her previously postponed Las Vegas residency due to health challenges that leave her feeling "swimmy headed" — but has assured fans her ailments are treatable.

1 week ago in Entertainment, Music

The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are coming up. Here’s who’s nominated and how to watch

It's time to cowboy up, y'all. The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are right around the corner, and they look different this time around.