Outstanding Seniors, Graduate Students honored by College of Education and Human Sciences

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Media Contact: Katie Lacey | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9347 | katie.l.lacey@okstate.edu

The College of Education and Human Sciences recognized Outstanding Seniors and Graduate Students for the 2021-2022 academic year.

One senior was selected by faculty from each school and department for showing exceptional leadership, campus involvement, academic achievement and professional development related to experience and career goals. These students represent the top 1% of students from the college. 

Elizabeth Bert — School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology

Major: Health Education and Promotion with an option in exercise and health

Hometown: Leavenworth, Kansas 

Elizabeth Bert comes from a military family and credits her dad’s service in the U.S. Army for her opportunity to attend OSU. With a desire to stay connected to the military community, Bert worked in the Student Veteran Success Office. She assisted with the Molly Easley Student Suicide Awareness March; planted over 7,000 American flags and dog tags on Library Lawn, as well as helped with the Cowboys for Veterans Christmas Bag Program. Bert is looking forward to a career in public health and continuing to serve others. 

Elle Dembinski — Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising

Major: Fashion Merchandising

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

Elle Dembinski was a Freshman Scholar Leader and was active in the Merchandising and Apparel Design Association along with her sorority. She was selected as the College of Education and Human Sciences Orange Robe for spring commencement. Dembinski interned with the PGA Tour Superstore in Atlanta, where she gained firsthand experience and knowledge of the retail industry. She credits the internship with inspiring her toward a goal to be a vice president, president or creative director of a fashion company.   

Tyler Ann Wolgamott — Department of Human Development and Family Science

Major: Early Childhood Education

Hometown: Weatherford, Oklahoma 

Tyler Ann Wolgamott was a teacher’s assistant in the Cleo L. Craig Child Development Lab and did her student teaching internship with the Putnam City Schools kindergarten class. She loves creating ways to connect others through culturally responsive education, and said OSU equipped her with interpersonal, cultural and technical skills, as well as with the inspiration and encouragement to define and pursue her career goals. Wolgamott is passionate about serving others and plans on pursuing a career as an international K-12 educator.

Makenna Beasley — School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation

Major: Recreational Therapy 

Hometown: Conway Springs, Kansas

Makenna Beasley provided therapy interventions to children with disabilities in the Warm Water Therapy Lab. Beasley interned at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Center and at Wyoming State Hospital, an experience she said has improved her ability to treat patients with compassion and provide the best evidence-based practice. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in therapeutic recreation at Texas State University in the fall.

Isabelle Posey — Department of Nutritional Sciences 

Major: Dietetics

Hometown: Wagoner, Oklahoma 

Isabelle Posey discovered her passion for nutrition after arriving at OSU. She was a Wentz Research Scholar and is completing her honors thesis on food insecurity on campus and why students are not using the resources that are available to them. Posey plans to obtain a master’s in nutrition and complete her registered dietitian credentials. She wants to address the nation’s nutritional problems by finding and treating the root causes, either through policy changes or research, and is interested in pursuing a doctoral degree.

Kade Johnson — School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation

Major: Aerospace Administration and Operations

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

From his first visit to OSU, Kade Johnson was inspired by the culture and dedication to the land-grant mission. Through on-campus organizations and off-campus experiences, Johnson dedicated himself to teaching others and promoting outreach through the Air Force ROTC program. He spent much of his time working with the Air Force ROTC to create projects such as “Joint Detachments of Oklahoma,” a partnership with the University of Oklahoma ROTC program. As the cadet wing commander, he led all 160 OSU cadets. Johnson is pursuing pilot training and toward his goal of becoming a pilot. 

Hannah Miller — School of Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences

Major: Elementary Education

Hometown: Canyon, Texas

Hannah Miller was a part of the ExCEL Internship Program where she was able to shadow and learn from a mentor throughout the semester. Miller’s future goal is to be an educator who cares for students and provides them with the education they need to be successful. She wants her classroom to be a welcoming place where all students feel comfortable and seen.

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The College of Education and Human Sciences also presented awards for Outstanding Teaching and Outstanding Research among graduate students. Students were selected based on teaching, research and professional involvement. 

Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student

Barrett Williams
Ph.D. student, Counseling and Counseling Psychology

As a licensed mental health counselor and licensed professional counselor, Barrett Williams has a wealth of practical applied clinical experience that translates well to the classroom. He provides real-life examples that are relatable and meaningful to students. The pandemic in particular posed challenges to all instructors and Barrett pivoted with adaptability, patience, grace and good humor. 

Outstanding Research by a Graduate Student

Bryant Keirns
Ph.D. student, Nutritional Sciences

Bryant Keirns’ research focuses on studying heart and gut health and their links to heart disease. Keirns, who also has a master’s degree in nutrition from OSU, has been awarded prestigious American Heart Association and Mars, Inc. predoctoral fellowships to support his research. He won the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in April 2022.