ATLANTA — Arie’una Long, a senior music industry major concentrating in music production and audio recording at Georgia State, has been named the 2026 Presser Scholar for the School of Music. The award was announced during the School of Music’s 2026 Honors Recital, recognizing Long’s exceptional academic achievement, leadership and contributions to the musical community.
The Presser Scholar Award, presented annually by the Presser Foundation, honors an outstanding senior music major who demonstrates high academic achievement, leadership and service within the school community.
“I’m thrilled that Arie’una was selected as the 2026 Presser Scholar,” said Julia Bullard, director of the School of Music. “Her work as a leader in the music industry area of our program, and the fact that her impact as a student has also been impactful in our performance and academic areas of the school, truly represents the characteristics and ideals embodied by this award.”
Originally from Greensboro, Ga., Long grew up in a small rural town where music was always present in her life. From singing in church to performing in school bands, local gigs and community events, those early experiences shaped both her musicianship and her understanding of music’s ability to positively impact others.
At Georgia State, Long has grown into her role as both a producer and audio engineer while remaining actively involved across the School of Music. She performs with the GSU Concert Band and Choral Union, and has collaborated on original recordings with fellow student artists including Natalie Nicole’s “Satisfy” (ft. Anthony Quamé) and Cassie Bell’s “Leaving Your Teens” and “The Home Feeling.”
In addition to her creative work, Long serves as codirector of the Sync Division at MTM Standard, Georgia State’s student-led record label, where she helps pitch student music for placement in film, television, video games and other media. She is also an active member of The Femgineers and Music Society, organizations that support and inspire music creators across campus.
Balancing creative leadership with academic excellence, Long maintains a 3.99 grade point average and has consistently earned placement on both the Dean’s List and President’s List. She is also a recipient of the 2026 Bobbie Bailey/NARAS Endowment Scholarship, recognizing her contributions to the music community throughout her collegiate career.
After graduation, she plans to continue expanding her experience in the music industry and ultimately establish a record label dedicated to mentoring emerging artists and connecting creative vision with meaningful opportunity.