Dean's Scholar Recognition 2021

Dean’s Scholar Student 3 Donna Ayers Senior Social Work Donna is an excellent student whose name has consistently appeared on the Dean’s List. In addition to majoring in Social Work, Donna is completing a minor in Spanish for Modern Business. Donna is a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success as well as a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society, a social work honor society. She was also involved in research and presented a paper on feminism at the KU Composition Conference. Over the summer, she worked at a veterinary clinic where she practiced her Spanish skills. Donna previously worked in Residence Life as a desk receptionist and community assistant. For this school year, Donna received a scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh to intern at Child Welfare. She plans on being a caseworker for Child Welfare after graduation, and when the time is right, Donna will attend graduate school. “I learned that confidence comes with time. The more that you learn, the more your confidence will grow. It is also important to attend the experiences that the university is offering you, whether it is for fun or for educational purposes. Put yourself out there!” Marshae Batchelor Senior Criminal Justice & Social Work Marshae is an excellent student whose name has consistently appeared on the Dean’s List. Marshae is passionate about advocacy and policy change to achieve criminal justice reform. As the Student Trustee on the KU Board of Trustees, she represents all KU students and advocates for student-centered policies. Marshae interned at PATHS in Allentown, a residential group treatment program. She also interned at The Children’s Home of Reading in the adoption unit. Marshae has been a very engaged member of the KU community, as a CA in housing, a campus tour guide, an Act 101 mentor, and a Student Government Board Member, where she served as the Academic Affairs Chair. She is a member of the KU All-Stars Poetry Group, a student group that attends open-mic nights to read their poetry and perform spoken word. In the Fall, Marshae will return to KU to begin the Master of Social Work Program. Marshae’s career goal is to become a juvenile counselor to work with young people entering and exiting juvenile detention centers. I’ve learned how much I love advocating for other people. I’m all about personal, professional, and institutional growth. I’m always trying to advocate for change because as time goes along, things change so people need to adapt. I picked up the dual major because I figured that in order to achieve that growth and change, I would have to do so on a macro level to impact more people.”