The Upward Bound Program at Southern Arkansas University held its annual Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Harton Theater on the University campus.
Nineteen graduates from 7 Southwest Arkansas schools were recognized. Thirteen of our graduates participated in the Upward Bound Bridge program, and enrolled in up to 6 hours of college credit at SAU during the first summer session. Twelve of them are enrolled at SAU for the 2024 fall semester.
The Upward Bound Class of 2024 includes:
- Bradley High: A’Mya Brown, Sharese Harris, and Kezia Warren;
- Emerson High: Jordan Jones;
- Hope: Jakobi Scott;
- Lafayette High: Alyzia Devereaux;
- Magnolia High: Nyasia Davis, Andrea Gill, Jermiracle Joiner, Ranaiya Kirkindoff, Ja’Lasia Manning, Shakyria Thompson, Shan’Jordan Torrence, and Genesis Williams;
- Nevada High: Kadiya Curry and Brycten Harris;
- Prescott High: Jade Sharp and Alanie Spratt.
Upward Bound Scholarships were awarded to Nyasia Davis, Magnolia High School; Sharese Harris, Bradley High School; Ranaiya Kirkindoff (Upward Bound Charles Hughey Scholarship),
Magnolia High School; and UB alum, Candace Jackson. Scholarships are each valued at $5,000 and awarded in two disbursements of $2,500/semester for the 1st and 2nd semesters of the
recipient’s first year of enrollment at SAU.
Other award recipients were:
- Co-Valedictorians: Alyzia Devereaux and Alanie Spratt
- Co-Salutatorians: Jade Sharpand Genesis Williams
- Honor Graduates: Andrea Gill, Ranaiya Kirkindoff,Shakyria Thompson, and Brycten Harris.
2024 Graduation speaker, Malik McBride
Our keynote speaker for the 2024 Upward Bound Graduation was Mr. Malik McBride. Mr. McBride is a proud Magnolia, Arkansas native, and the son of Carol and the late Michael McBride. He is a 2018 SAU Upward Bound and Magnolia High School alum.
He graduated (cum laude) from Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelors of University Studies emphasis in Education, Social Sciences, and Humanities in 2021, and graduated with a Masters of Education in College Counseling and Student Affairs from SAU in May 2024.
While enrolled as a full-time student at Southern Arkansas University, Malik was active in the Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, Black Student Association, served as a Resident Assistant (RA), and was a Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Services & Student Activities. On the professional level, he is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Arkansas Association of Student Assistance Programs, the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs, and an active member of the Camden-Magnolia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
He is currently the Associate Director of Greek Life Overseeing NPHC/D9 Organizations at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
