The awards given celebrate students who stood out for their academic performance or their service to student organizations. The following students were selected because they have optimized their education by combining exemplary academic performance with internships, volunteerism, professional development, experiential education, and participation in clubs and other important experiences.

One student selected for an academic award is then chosen as COB’s Outstanding Student of the Year.

Outstanding Students of the Year

ACADEMIC AWARDS

College of Business Outstanding Student of the Year

Mason Smith
Also: Outstanding Finance Student of the Year

Future plans: “I have accepted a position as one of two banker foundation trainees at Simmons Bank. I will work at their headquarters in an 18-month training program rotating through departments such as corporate finance, retail banking, HR, and credit. I am excited to work with one of the best banks in Arkansas to learn how banks operate and contribute to helping communities.”

Outstanding Accounting Student

Lucas Hayes

Future plans: “I will assume an audit position at Ernst & Young in Rogers, Arkansas, starting in September.”

Outstanding Master of Accountancy Student

Jarrod Wheeler

Future plans: “Continue working at Landmark CPAs in the Tax Department.”

Outstanding Information Systems Student

Isaiah Kelly

Future plans: “After graduation, I intend to start my career as a data analyst and continue developing my technical and analytical skills. I plan on building experience with tools such as SQL, Python, and data visualization, with the long term goal being a senior data analyst.”

Outstanding Computer Information Systems Student

Wyatt Held

Future plans: “Work full time earning certifications, after experiencing work for a while I will consider grad school.”

Outstanding Data Analytics Student

Keegan Neeley

Future Plans: “Hopefully I’ll reach the job market with enough heat that they find me the best available candidate, but that’s not where I plan on stopping. I would love to go after my masters (or even my doctorate) in the future. Hopefully I can do both as me and my family move forward on our separate and joined journeys.”

Outstanding Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics Student

Katie Brown

Future plans: “After graduation, I plan to continue working in data analytics and use my skills to support data-driven decision-making and improve outcomes within my organization.”

Outstanding Economics Student

David Tooley

Future plans: “I intend to pursue my doctorate in economics at Florida State University.”

Outstanding Insurance & Risk Management Student

Macy Moring

Future plans: “After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in the insurance industry in the Central Arkansas area. I hope to work at an agency that offers a clear path toward becoming a producer. My goal is to continue building my knowledge of insurance and risk management while gaining hands-on experience in the field. I look forward to developing strong professional relationships, growing my skills, and establishing a long-term career helping clients protect what matters most to them.”

Outstanding Management Student

Ashlyn May

Future plans: “I am going to get my master’s in Information Management here at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ and continue playing on the Women’s Soccer team.”

Outstanding Marketing Student

Rylie Melton

Future plans: “For the first 6 months after graduation, I plan to go through a 6-month online portfolio school program. So I will not immediately be applying for jobs after graduation. I will be going through an Art Direction program where I will learn everything about Art Direction in Advertising, including designing, creating campaigns, and working with Adobe. Once I complete that program, my goal is to pursue a full-time position in an Advertising Agency!”

Outstanding Innovation & Entrepreneurship Student

JoAnna Young

Future plans: “To find a job after graduation, connect with other entrepreneurs, and get started on opening my own business.”

Outstanding Logistics & Supply Chain Management Student

Angela Weng

Future plans: “I’ve interviewed for a job, and I’m in the onboarding process right now!”

Outstanding Master of Business Administration Student

Joseph Somervell

Future plans: “I aimed to begin teaching adjunct classes and take the next steps in my career. I started teaching the semester after I graduated. I use the skills I have gained in my current role and am exploring options for the right next full-time role.”

Outstanding Human Resources Student

Kierston Huff (not pictured)

Outstanding General Business Student

Drew Duckhorn (not pictured)

Outstanding Online Business Student

Savannah Smith (not pictured)

SERVICE AWARDS

Outstanding BUILD Student

Logan Redd

Future plans: ” I intend to become an auditor for a firm with the future hope of becoming a forensic accountant.”

Outstanding Beta Alpha Psi Leader

Alexandra L. Wayne

Future plans: “By utilizing my financial and healthcare administration skills, which I have developed over my academic career and will further develop through my internship, I want to pursue a career with a hospital or healthcare organization to make an impact on their long-term sustainability and achieve more favorable patient outcomes.”

Outstanding Accounting Club Leader

Kady Harper-Morrison

Future plans: “After graduation, I intend to pursue CPA licensure as I work full time as an audit staff.”

Outstanding Gamma Iota Sigma Leader

Madelyn Neel

Future plans: “After graduating in December, I plan to start working full time in the insurance industry and continue my education through attaining insurance designations.”

Outstanding BASCOM Leader
(Bears for Advancing Supply Chain and Operations Management)

Grant Kemp

Future plans: “After graduation I hope to land an inventory management role here in Central Arkansas. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned here at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ and my internships at the Allen Lund Company and Tractor Supply Company.”

Outstanding FBLA Collegiate Leader

Kaddie Bailey

Future plans: “Upon graduation, I will start my MAcc degree in the fall of 2026. I then plan to prepare and sit for my CPA licensure exam. One day in the future, I plan to open my own consulting firm, focusing my services on small and family-owned businesses. I also aspire to open my own foundation that focuses on youth financial literacy. I also plan to eventually go to seminary and do a two-year Journeyman program with the North American Mission Board.”

Outstanding Girls Who Code Leader

Jewell Callahan

Future plans: “Work as a software engineer for a couple of years before eventually transitioning into DevOps or cybersecurity.”

Outstanding Marketing & Sales Club Leader

Rylie Melton

see also: Outstanding Marketing Student of the Year

Outstanding Finance Club Leader

Payton Jarvis

Future Plans: “After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in finance while continuing to grow my business experience. As a licensed pilot, I also hope to explore opportunities in corporate aviation, combining my passion for flying with my professional goals. Long term, I hope to build a career that blends finance and aviation.”

Currently, Kaddie serves as the FBLA Collegiate President at the University of Central Arkansas, where Kaddie leads with a passion for service, education, and empowering others. In this new role, Kaddie is responsible for advancing FBLA’s mission via their platforms by expanding financial literacy initiatives, strengthening national partnerships, and creating innovative opportunities for fundraising and growth.

Colin Williams, VP of Operations; Kaia Dolor, VP of Communications; Jonathan Nevenhoven, President; Meri Mikoyan, Executive VP; Kaddie Bailey, VP of Financial Development; (not pictured – Brianna Le, VP of Membership).

Kaddie says, “As Vice President of Development, I am excited to collaborate with my fellow national officers to create resources, build opportunities, and ensure that FBLA Collegiate continues to equip students nationwide for leadership, professional success, and lifelong impact.”

As a National officer, Kaddie will be involved in the planning and production of two conferences: the Career Connections Conference in November in Des Moines, Iowa, and the FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference, which will be held in Las Vegas next year.

Kaddie will lead professional development workshops with current members at these events, as well as travel to different chapters and states. Kaddie will also be working to promote financial literacy awareness and accessibility at the national level via their platform and the officers’ joint Program of Work.

They competed in the Best Practices category “Impacting Your Profession,” presenting the game show “The Major is Right,” developed by the faculty advisors and many members of the chapter.

With 10 regional winners competing in this category, ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ came out on top! Several schools and the American Institute of Public Accounting have requested the game to be used to promote accounting as a great major and a great career. Lucas Hayes, Rebecca Gaither, and Izzy Saettele were the presenters of the project that brought home the win!

Also, while in San Antonio,

• Two ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ students, Kaddie Bailey and Lakoda Caldwell, participated in Project Run With It, a case competition to solve a problem for a not-for-profit.
• Also attending from ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ are Allie Wayne and Jaxson Adams, plus faculty advisor Ashley Phillips, and regional chapter advocate Connie McKnight.
• ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ was recognized as a Gold Chapter for this past academic year. Gold is the highest recognition for professional and service activities by a chapter.
• Three chapters of Beta Alpha Psi from Arkansas ( ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾, UofA, and UALR) got together for a river cruise sponsored by the Arkansas Society of CPAs.

Outstanding Students of the Year

ACADEMIC AWARDS

General Business
Miranda Ivy

“I feel like business fits me because I have lots of interest in many different areas that this major helps to fulfill. After graduation, I intend to explore options in the career field and gain experience for future endeavors.”

Miranda pictured with Dr. Watson who presented the award

Fully Online Undergraduate
Samantha Ashley

“As a non-traditional student, I have experience in a few different fields of business. At any given profession I have had, I always excelled in my computer skills. When I decided to go back to college to pursue my Bachelor’s degree, I chose a major in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Business Analysis to hone my existing skills and become an expert in a field that entails tasks that I enjoy. After graduation, I am hoping to be able to secure a remote position as a Data Analyst.”

Sam pictured with Dr. Casey who presented the award

Accounting
Carson Griffin

Carson chose to major in accounting with a minor in financial services. He says, “I chose accounting because of the career opportunities available and the flexibility that it provides. I love working with numbers and the world of business, so accounting is where I fit it. After graduation, I will pursuing a MAcc here at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾. After that, I plan to work in public accounting at FORVIS.”

Carson pictured with Dr. Watson who presented the award

Computer Information Systems
Grant McKnight

“I have always loved working with computers, starting first with playing video games, then creating documents, and now writing codes in languages such as SQL. I chose to major in Computer Information Systems because of this interest, the opportunity to get a great job, and to have a career that I know I will enjoy. I am looking for an internship or full-time position in Arkansas.”

Grant pictured with Dr. Downey who presented the award

Computer Information Systems – Business Analysis
Aiden Mendolia

(not pictured)

Information Systems
Hayden Weaver

(not pictured)

Economics
Natalie Quisenberry

“I chose economics because of its omnipresence in the business world. I found myself applying economic principles in almost all of my lower division business core classes, which was very intriguing to me. This ultimately led to the changing of my major and I have enjoyed it ever since. After graduating, I hope to obtain a position in business strategy while simultaneously pursuing a masters degree. After some time in the corporate world, I would like to pursue my PhD and return to higher education as a professor.”

Natalie pictured with Dr. Hodges who presented the award

Finance
Linda Galeano Midence

Linda chose to major in finance and minor in data analytics. She says she chose it because there is more math involved in this subject. She also hopes to get a job in the United States after graduation, but if not, she envisions herself back in Honduras working at a bank.

Linda pictured with Dr. Snyder who presented the award

Insurance & Risk Management
Sophia Fulgham

“I am a third generation insurance agent so I’ve grown up around the industry. I feel like I’ve gotten a front row seat to seeing the good insurance can do. My dad always says with insurance you’re selling people a piece of paper and a promise that you’ll be there for them when they need you most. I feel really excited to go into an industry where I can help people in this way. After graduation, I have been accepted into the MBA program here at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ and will start taking classes toward my MBA this summer as I study abroad in Amsterdam! I am open to pursuing any job within the industry after I graduate this May. I hope that I will eventually be able to come back and help my dad run his independent agency, Integrity Insurance.”

Sophia pictured with Dr. Yao who presented the award

Marketing
Abbie Flake

“I am very math-brained but also love to be creative. Marketing was the perfect choice where I could do both! I am fascinated by the world of business and can express my creativity while also being analytical as a marketing major. I hope to attend graduate school at the University of Arkansas in the full-time Walton MBA Program.”

Abbie pictured with Dr. Garner who presented the award

Management
Bresner Austin

“I run a small business on the side, and I’ve always had some interest in the way that these businesses run that I work for. It’s also a great backup plan for the firefighting career I’m going to pursue; especially because with that schedule I could continue to run my business among other things. Knowledge of the economy and how many things operate in a country like America is valuable to me. After graduation, I plan to enter the Little Rock Firefighting Rookie School program.”

Bresner pictured with Dr. Chen who presented the award

Human Resource Management
Abby McMillin

(not pictured)

Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Connor Tuttle

“I believed this major would give me the best overall learning experience for what it takes to run a business. I saw that it included courses from all departments in the College of Business and that is what stood out most. I wanted to leave college feeling as though I had experience in multiple different areas of business. In addition, I felt as though this major would encourage me to take a leap of faith and start my own venture. After I graduate, I intend to pursue a full-time job at my current workplace, The Studio Downtown. I also am looking at other employment options within the marketing department of companies like Howler Brothers, Turtlebox Audio, Yeti, or other outdoor lifestyle brands.”

Connor pictured with Dr. Suter who presented the award

Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Elizabeth “Liz” Ennis

“Inventory analysis is something that just makes sense to me. I worked at a local grocery store in high school and the idea of supply and demand at a larger scale piqued my interest. After studying abroad in Austria this past summer, my drive for international inventory and shipping has only been solidified. After I graduate, I plan to work on my Master’s in Supply Chain Management while working in a company within my degree path.”

Liz pictured with Dr. Voss who presented the award

Master of Accountancy
Jacqueline Berntsen

“I knew I wanted to be a business major because many of my family members had their own businesses. When I took principles of accounting, I really liked the class. I interviewed a family member that was a CPA at about the same time and found the interview really interesting. So I picked it and stuck with it. After graduation, I intend to start working at HCJ CPA’s & Advisors and start studying for the CPA exam.”

Jacqueline pictured with Dr. Oxner who presented the award

Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics
Julian Haessner

Julian says he chose applied data analytics because of research opportunities, to develop of analytical skills, and to prepare for doctoral studies.

Julian pictured with Dr. Ellis who presented the award

Master of Business Administration
Joao Rodrigues

“I pursued a major in Applied Data Analytics because it complements my MBA, equipping me with advanced analytical skills to leverage data in strategic decision-making and enhance my expertise in the business field. After I graduate, I will be working as a Financial Analyst in a commercial real estate firm in Central Arkansas.”

Joao pictured with Dr. McMurtrey who presented the award

College of Business Overall Outstanding Student
Carson Griffin

Carson pictured with Dean Hargis who presented the award

SERVICE AWARDS

Biz@Bear
Mahayla Edwards

Mahayla says, “I would love to own my own business and run it from the ground up! I may move to NWA open a store front for my boutique then move to Dallas a few years later and open another store and a coffee shop!”

Mahayla pictured with Dr. Moseley who presented the award

Accounting Club
Izzy Saettele

Izzy is very active at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ and was convinced to choose her major in accounting because her supplemental instructor inspired her to choose it. She says after graduation, “I plan to stay at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ for my MAcc and sit for the CPA exam. I want to go into public accounting, specifically in tax and stay somewhere in the central Arkansas area.”

Izzy pictured with Dr. Phillips who presented the award

Beta Alpha Psi
Carson Griffin

Carson pictured with Dr. Phillips who presented the award

Bears for Advancing Supply Chain & Operations Management (BASCOM)
Claire Coon

“My initial attraction to the business world was and still is the direct, real world applications of the field. From my first two classes in business, microeconomics and the global environment of business, I was able to take things out of class and straight away use them to better understand everyday events in my life. Starting in January 2024 after my graduation in December, I began working full time as a real estate agent for Homeward Realty here in Conway. This new year I look forward to serving Conway and the greater Central Arkansas region as a real estate agent by applying skills and knowledge I’ve acquired during my time at the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ College of Business (COB).”

Claire pictured with Dr. Voss who presented the award

Gamma Iota Sigma
Cole Vangsnes

Cole says he chose Insurance and Risk Management because it is a “very interesting career field with people that make it ten times better.”

Cole pictured with Prof. Hudson who presented the award

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate
Kaddie Bailey & Malie Phimmachack

Malie: “I choose this major because I wanted to be able to help people. My interest in business-related activities began in High School, so I wanted to be able to pursue it in the future. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to assist others when they needed it, so I decided to major in management so that I could learn all the ins and outs of a business. After graduation I intend to go for my masters and start working.”

Kaddie chose to focus on Accounting and Religious Studies. She says, “I chose both of them because I love helping people. Accounting can be used in so many ways for the betterment of others like being a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant to helping corporations run their everyday operations. I get to work with those around me for the betterment of others. Religious studies helps me get to know the world more and allows me to help others across the street, across the states, and across the world. I get to be a light in communities full of darkness. After graduation, I intend to do a two year Journeymen program through the North American Missions Board and possibly short-term missionary work before coming back to earn my Master’s Degree in Accounting and possibly sit for the CPA exam. Life is an open book so I may end up doing something completely different, but this is what I think I am going to do.”

Kaddie and Malie pictured with Dr. Suter who presented the award

COB Student Ambassador
Abbie Flake

Abbie pictured with Dean Hargis who presented the award