Tiger Twelve Class of 2020

Shanice Manning spent her four years at Louisiana State University serving as a student leader and representative. She was a friendly face for prospective students. She was a member of LSU Ambassadors, Membership Committee and small group leader as well as a LSU Tour Guide. Upon Shanice's sophomore year, she was appointed as College of Science Ambassador for the Physics and Astronomy Department and was later granted the title of Head Ambassador. She serves as the Member-At-Large and Vice President for the College of Science College Council within student government. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Shanice enjoys spending time organizing events and being a voice for the students. Outside of her work on campus, she loved extending her passion for STEM with the youth of Baton Rouge by volunteering and showing physics demos with the Society of Physics Students and College of Science. Shanice's growing interest in medical physics lead her to participating in undergraduate  research. Upon graduation, Shanice plans to attend Medical Physics Graduate school to achieve her PhD. Her overall goal is to one day return to academia to serve as a mentor to the new generation of young eager minds.

Shelby Waddell spent four years on LSU’s campus focused on serving her community. She planned service initiatives for Volunteer LSU and served as the director of the entire program. She also led LSU Service Breaks trips to Ghana and Ecuador to learn about educational systems and combat clean water insecurity. Throughout her college career Shelby served as a resident assistant in LSU’s family and graduate housing, where she provided services to mainly international students and students with children. Shelby has immersed in her local and international communities through her experiences at LSU. She is graduating LSU with a dual degree in elementary education and special education.

Abigail Caffey believes her LSU experience has granted her the tools she needs to make a difference in the healthcare system. She served as a research assistant for the Motor Behavior and Cognition Lab on LSU campus for two years. Abigail was a member of the Distinguished Undergraduate Research Program (DURP) and the College of Human Science and Education Distinguished Scholar program. She served as an undergraduate research ambassador, which granted her the opportunity to advise other students while promoting undergraduate research. Outside of research, Abigail was a member of an on campus fitness organization called CHAARG. Abigail co-founded a women’s health and fitness organization on campus, called Elevate. She also worked as an Occupational Therapy technician in various clinical settings throughout her time at LSU. After graduation, Abigail plans to publish her undergraduate research and attending LSU’s Master’s program for Motor Control research and obtain a Doctorial of Occupational Therapy and work in a research and rehabilitation hospital.

Sebastian Brumfield Mejía discovered his passion for social justice, while at LSU. He served as President of the Society of Africa and African-American Studies, Vice President of College Democrats, and a Regional Coordinator for Geaux BIG Baton Rouge. In Fall 2018, he studied abroad in Johannesburg, South Africa to understand the country’s complex political history. Upon his senior year, Sebastian was awarded both the Edward Shirley Scholarship and the Professor Cecil L. Eubanks Award for the Study of Ethics for his work in Philosophy. He was selected on LSU’s Homecoming court in 2017 and 2019. After graduating in Fall 2020, he plan to attend a graduate program focusing on Philosophy.

Catherine McKinney has spent much of her time at LSU dedicated to civic engagement efforts and various organizations. She served as a Student Government leader. She began as a senator, then as Chair of 2 committees, and finally as the Speaker Pro Tempore during her senior year. She authored and passed initiatives such as the Student Bill of Rights, free feminine hygiene products and voter registration services. She has competed on LSU’s mock trial team for 3 years, serving as both Treasurer and President and leading the team to their first-ever, Opening-Round Championship.. During her time as Geaux Vote LSU’s Director of Governmental Relations she helped the group register over 3,000 students to vote and make connections with local legislators. She also headed Governor Edward’s campus efforts in 2019, registering students to vote and contributing to an impactful turnout. Catherine is a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and has taken part in their literacy philanthropy, which aids local students with one-on-one reading attention. She also participated in 2019 Homecoming court, the University Student Leadership Cabinet, and more. Catherine plans to end 2020 working on a congressional campaign before attending law school in 2021.

Aniko Nowakowski is a proud first-generation Polish-American. Through her time as an LSU Tiger, she discovered and nurtured a passion for practical poverty alleviation, specifically focusing on healthcare outcomes and education within the homeless demographic. She volunteers at various homeless shelters and community clinics.  She enjoyed her involvement within the LSU and Baton Rouge Community! Aniko served as the Associate Director of GeauxBig, as a RA for Res Life, a member of the TedxLSU Creative Communications Team, VP of the Ogden Honors College Student Council, member of the leadership and service teams at CTK, volunteer mentor for high school girls plan to pursue street medicine as a student at LSU New Orleans School of Medicine.

Akua Kumi devoted community service while at LSU. She was a leader within the Student Government community. She held various positions within Student Senate and was the Deputy Chief of Staff, for the Executive Branch. Akua was selected as a member of the University Student Leadership Cabinet. Also, she was a 2019 graduate of Leadership LSU. Currently, she is a candidate for the Engaged Citizen Award, for engaging in service-learning coursework and community service. After graduation, Akua will pursue a career in biotechnology in the Greater Atlanta area and continue youth outreach to encourage students in underserved communities to pursue STEM education.

Tatiana Gonzalez- Quiroga focused on International and political studies, while at LSU. She was in the Ogden Honors College. In 2017, Tatiana received the Undergraduate Student of the Year award.  In 2018, she was acknowledged as the Governors Fellow. In 2019, she was a Senator intern in Washington D.C. Her main focus is towards mental health awareness. She was a founding member of NAMI on LSU’s Campus (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and was President of the organization for two years. She helped NAMI receive an advocacy award for discussing mental health within the African-American community. Tatiana is also a President’s Millennial Scholar and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. After College, Tatiana plan to enter the workforce and pursue a master’s degree in public health.

Lauren Bagneris brought a global service perspective to LSU during her four years as an undergraduate Kinesiology student in the Ogden Honors College. From volunteering in the largest public hospital in Asia, to educating children in an African village in Ghana and to working diligently in her research program at MD Anderson Cancer Center.  Lauren led by example to promote service and a commitment to community. Her involvement in multiple on-campus organizations, in addition to her many endeavors nationally and globally, show Lauren’s passion and commitment to dismantling health and social inequities with underserved communities. She also spent her time developing programs as a 2019 Leadership Fellow and the Vice President of the Eta Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. that focused on education, women’s healthcare and wellness, the arts, economic legacy, and global impact. As President of the Minority Science and Pre-Professional Society, she helped aspiring healthcare professionals develop connections and achieve personal and academic growth to reach their goals. She worked zealously within Campus Life while being an active leader within LSU Service Breaks and Leadership LSU. She also was an active volunteer at Baton Rouge General Hospital and member of Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honors Society during her time at LSU. This year, she defended her Ogden Honors College Thesis which focused on reducing racial disparities in healthcare. Upon graduation, Bagneris will enter the MD/MPH dual-degree program at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and plans to focus on Behavioral and Community Health Sciences in order to provide quality medical services and achieve health equity globally in her future career as a physician. 

 

Hailey Simpson served in Student Government for three years, while at LSU. She was on the Freshman Leadership Council, as a Senator, and as President of the Ogden Honors College Council. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi for four years and served as the Policy and Standards Board Chair. Also Hailey read with children weekly through Volunteers in Public Schools, served as a counselor at Camp Erin, and volunteered with hospice. She is a Stamps Scholar, which means she was one of the top incoming freshmen in the Class of 2020 and have also been a part of the Honors College’s LASAL Scholars program. Hailey served on the University Student Leadership Cabinet for one year and was an active member in both Alpha Epsilon Delta and Beta Beta Beta for three years. In addition, she was a member of the 2017 Homecoming Court and a 2017 Tom W. Dutton Scholarship Award recipient. Hailey volunteered in South Africa, and served as an intern at the Open Health Care Clinic and as an extern at MD Anderson Cancer Center. After graduation, Hailey will attend medical school to become a physician and continue her passion for service.

M. Calvin Bond is graduating LSU in Human Resource Management with a minor in Psychology. As a leader in Alpha Kappa Psi, business fraternity, he taught his peers to commit to ethical leadership and responsibility. As an LSU ambassador he contributed as the Vice-Chair associate. In 2019, Calvin was a recipient of the Gerry Lane award, for exhibiting commitment to the community with his service work. He lives by the mantra “if not me, then who”. Calvin is currently working at University Medical Center New Orleans as a Supply Tech helping to track all the protective equipment in the hospital. After graduation Bond plans to enter the field of Human Resources information systems (HRIS). Outside of Bond’s career, he would like to apply his personal interest in horticulture to help with local urban farming initiatives.

Amanda Celina spent a portion of her time in research labs, while at LSU. Amanda has been a lab assistant in a genetics lab. Amanda was on the leadership board for; Tri-Beta Biological Sciences Honors Society, Dance Marathon, Global Brigades and Students for Justice in Palestine. She was also a member of Honors College Advocates and the AED Pre-Medical Honors Society. She also studied a semester abroad in Paris, France. Outside of her LSU community, Amanda has volunteered with East Baton Rouge’s Everybody Reads Elementary School program and has volunteered in her local Emergency Room and hospice. She will be receiving a dual degree in Biological Sciences and French Studies. After graduation Amanda plans to continue her education in medical school.