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The
2017 White House HBCU All-Star Yosha K. Lain (center) and her Academic Adviser/Mentor Dr. Zhu H. Ning (left) are congratulated by SU System
President Dr. Ray Belton for the award.
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Baton
Rouge, La. (August 25, 2017) - Ms. Yosha K. Lain, an Urban Forestry senior at
Southern University has been selected as the 2017 White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities All-Star Student Ambassador.
According to Elyse Jones, the Operations & Program Analyst and the HBCU
All-Star Program Manager of the U.S. Department of Education’s White House Initiative
on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Ms. Lain’s superb achievements
in academics, leadership, and civic engagement have set her apart from other
applicants. The White House Initiative on HBCU is delighted that Ms. Lain will
represent the Initiative as an ambassador who will go on to graduate as a
leader from one of the nation’s finest HBCUs.
The
purpose of this program is to recognize outstanding student leaders and empower
them to be advocates for academic success and excellence. As an HBCU All-Star,
Ms. Lain will be required to leverage the social media presence and
community-based organization relationships to promote the value of education, have
her work featured on the Initiative’s website, be invited to participate
in regional events, network with other scholars to showcase her
talent across the HBCU community, network with stakeholders from the
public and private sectors, and join quarterly web chats with senior officials
and other professionals.
The
23-year old All-Star honoree is a native of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish, Louisiana,
where she graduated from Franklin Parish High School in 2012. She later earned
an associate degree in Process Technology from Louisiana Delta Community
College in Monroe with Summa Cum Laude.
“Before
coming to SU, I attended and visited other colleges and universities, but no
other colleges have prepared and educated me more than my HBCU. The experiences
and knowledge that I have encountered at Southern University and A&M
College are incomparable. As an HBCU All-Star, I would like to promote the
advantages of an HBCU education, the importance of leadership, and the values
of community service,” Ms. Lain expressed. She also acknowledged, “A great
education comes from great teachers, administrators, advisors, and others that
are willing to put forth extra assistance to ensure that students gain the
proper attention and knowledge to thrive in their academics, community, and
future.”
At
Southern University, Ms. Lain has earned two research stipends from an urban
forestry undergraduate research scholar program funded by Dr. Zhu Ning’s
projects. She also earned The Luther and
Mary Ida Vandross Scholarship, the Women Caucus Scholarship, and the Blessed to
Be Blessed Scholarship.
“Majoring
in Urban Forestry allows me to service a multitude of people and care for the
environment. Many people are unaware of the values of a healthy environment,”
said Lain.
Yosha
has served as Student Government Association Legislator, Minorities in
Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Southern
University Student Chapter President and Treasurer, and Southern University
Urban Forestry Club Treasurer.
“I
am honored to continuously be recognized on the Dean’s List and acknowledged as
the student with the highest GPA in my Department of Urban Forestry &
Natural Resources. I am currently a
member of Collegiate 100 Black Women, MANRRS Chapter, Democratic Society, Urban
Forestry Club, and the Honors Society,” Yosha said.
“Ms.
Lain treasures a great education, has the highest GPA, and ranks number one
among the undergraduate student body in the Department of Urban Forestry and
Natural Resources at Southern University. “Her academic standing has earned her
multiple scholarships and honors,” said Zhu H. Ning, Professor of Urban
Forestry, who nominated Lain and helped her to prepare the application packet.
Dr. Ning added, “Ms. Lain’s leadership is equally stellar. She serves as the
officer of the Urban Forestry Club, organizes student activities, and conducts
community service projects. As her
academic advisor and the White House HBCU All-Star Campus Based Mentor, I am
committed to continue mentoring her in the years to come. I am proud of her
achievements and will guide her toward a distinguished and bright future.”
Yosha,
who will graduate in fall 2017 with a B.S. degree in Urban Forestry &
Natural Resources and a minor in Plant and Soil Science, plans to go to graduate
school and continue to explore the divergent areas of agriculture.
This
is the fourth consecutive year a student from SU has been selected as an HBCU
All-Star. In 2014, Robert Chambers was honored with the same award. He has
earned a doctoral degree in Urban Forestry and is employed by the USDA Natural
Resource Conservation Service. Sally Ross, received the award in 2015, and graduated
with a B.S. degree in Urban Forestry as the College Marshal. After gaining
research experience at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, she is pursuing a
graduate degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The 2016 HBCU All-Star
at Southern University was Kalaia Tripeaux. She plans to graduate in May
2018, thereafter, enrolling in graduate school. In the meantime, Kalaia is
continuing with her campus recycling effort while maintaining the USDA funded
Educational Forest/Jaguar Nature Trail, which affords students the choice of
enjoying the outdoors.
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