Class of 2016 Featured Graduates
More than 3,700 students will graduate from Georgia State on Dec. 14. Meet a few scholars who will receive their diplomas this month.
Alana Vivolo-Kantor
Ph.D., Public Health
Alana Vivolo-Kantor is on the front lines of efforts to curb youth violence. The research for her dissertation focused on understanding how bullying, particularly with middle school-aged youth, might predict acts of teen dating violence. Her research is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program for middle school kids, called Dating Matters, that Vivolo-Kantor hopes makes a difference in the lives of youth and their communities. That passion to help others propelled her forward as she balanced school, worked vigorously at CDC and had twins while working on her dissertation.
“it’s a constant struggle, even now without school,” she said of caring for her twins. “I think the nice thing is that I have an amazingly supportive husband and family, and very supportive colleagues and bosses.”
Jake Bingham
B.A., Chemistry
No matter how busy he was on the soccer pitch or in the chemistry lab, Jake Bingham found a way to balance sports and science. This year, however, the Honors College student and President’s List scholar opted to put his course work over athletics — he left the soccer team in a push to graduate a semester early. Bingham’s work ethic was instilled from family life around the military: his grandfather served in the Air Force, his father in the Navy Reserves, and he has a brother in the Air Force. He’s thinking of joining the Air Force after graduation, though there’s no pressure from his family to join.
“I have a strong belief in giving back to your country,” Bingham said. “I don’t have to keep up with family tradition, but it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Mariam Desouky
B.B.A., Accounting
For Mariam Desouky, accounting is about finding truth in numbers. During a study-abroad program in her native Egypt, she got an up-close look at the difficulties of facilitating complex international trade. Upon her return, the Honors College student taught herself how to program databases to help address problems in financial technology. She’s also involved with the Women Lead program where she’s learned the need for women to assert themselves in business. It’s a desire to push forward to new things, she said, like running in her first 5K race over Thanksgiving break.
Running the race, she said, is “one of the better things I’ve decided to pursue to get out of my comfort zone.”
Ronnie Bryant
B.A., Criminal Justice
A first-generation college student and discus thrower and shot putter for the Panthers, Ronnie Bryant is eyeing a master’s program in information systems audit and control after graduation. She’s the oldest of six children and hopes to be a role model for her younger siblings to get a college degree, too. Bryant took an eye-opening study abroad trip to Trinidad, something she never thought she’d be able to pull off as a first-generation college student.
“I can say it has been the number one experience of my years here at Georgia State,” Bryant said, even topping her first-place discus throw at the University of South Florida Bulls Invitational last year. “Even if you’re nervous about studying abroad, I’d suggest anyone go ahead and take that leap.”
Story by Jeremy Craig
Photos by Steven Thackston