Kianna Ross Earns College of Humanities and Social Sciences Excellence Award at VSU

Kianna Lynn Ross of Thomasville, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Valdosta State University. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Journalism, English Studies, and Sociology during VSU’s 236th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

VALDOSTA — Kianna Lynn Ross of Thomasville, Georgia, is the recipient of the Fall 2023 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Valdosta State University.

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 and Health Sciences, College of the Arts, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Mathematics, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Ross will be recognized during VSU’s 236^th Commencement at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, on the Main Campus Front Lawn. She will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Journalism, English Studies, and Sociology.

“Being named a top student for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is an achievement that I will hold dear,” she shared. “My college experience has been quite unique. I was a student of two different universities prior and found my home at VSU my sophomore year. I have made many connections with my professors, advisors, and classmates over the years. The lessons that I have learned from them have shaped me into an outstanding candidate for the workforce, and I am grateful for their wisdom. I have learned that VSU is not just a university; it is a family that is dedicated collectively to the success of its students, and I am honored to be ending my undergraduate career with this culminating honor.”

As a student at VSU, Ross was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She volunteered with New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Thomasville, where she served as a member of the culinary staff and helped spearhead service events like back-to-school and shoe drives. She also volunteered with Project Backyard, a Thomasville organization that creates opportunities for Christians to come together in service to their neighbors and community. She worked as a freelance photographer specializing in natural light photography.

Ross’s commitment to academic, leadership, and service excellence resulted in her earning repeated Dean’s List recognitions; having her work published in The Spectator, VSU’s independent student newspaper; being named a HOPE Scholar; and earning the Poynter Institute’s ACES Certificate in Editing.

Ross plans to pursue a career in public relations or journalism after graduation.

“Since it’s important to society, I would love to be involved in an industry where communication is the focal point,” she said. “For instance, due to my passion for writing, music, and the entertainment industry, a career goal of mine is to one day write for a national magazine such as Rolling Stone or Essence. Another career goal would be to represent a company or client through public relations.”

Her supportive family includes mother Wendy Ross, father Rosco Ross, grandmothers Esther McCall and Johnnie Mae Ross, great-aunt Dorothy McKoy, and aunt Pamela Ross.

https://www.valdosta.edu/chss/