During his undergraduate experience, Jainam Jain received the Delta Analytics Scholar Award at Robinson College of Business Honors Day, pictured here with Dean of the Robinson College of Business Richard Phillips and alumnus Deola Animashaun.
ATLANTA — Last week, a new cohort of Honors College graduates began turning hands-on experience into careers and graduate study, crossing the stage with strong academic records and plans for what comes next — whether that means entering competitive careers, pursuing graduate study or gaining experience to prepare for advanced degrees.
“What stands out to me about Honors grads is how, regardless of what comes next for them, they move forward with intention,” said Sarah Cook, dean of the Honors College. “That mindset stays with them long after graduation — it’s what drives them to keep learning, growing and adapting throughout their lives.”
In her undergraduate career, Maryln Darko received the Grady Scholar award and the Dell WomenLead Scholar award. She also served as vice president of the Ghana Student Association in GSU and vice president of community service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Nearly 1 in 5 of roughly 375 new Honors College graduates plan to pursue graduate or professional school, while others are launching careers or building experience before their next steps. Across every path, one theme is consistent: Honors College students are leaving Georgia State with direction, confidence and real-world experience.
Graduate Study and Advanced Training
A significant number of new Honors grads are continuing their education, with many headed directly into master’s, doctoral or professional programs. Others are taking a strategic approach, gaining additional experience to strengthen their application before applying to graduate school.
For example, Jainam Jain (B.S. ’26), a computer science graduate and Delta Analytics Scholar, will pursue a master’s degree with
The Honors College Accelerated Bachelor’s/J.D. program that Alycia Amey is a part of allows qualified students to start law school during their final undergraduate year, saving money and moving faster through their overall university experience.
an eye toward a future Ph.D. in machine learning. Maryln Darko (B.S.N. ’26), a nursing graduate and campus leader, plans to pursue advanced training in nursing and medicine. Alycia Amey (B.B.A. ’26), a business administration graduate, will continue the legal education she began through the Honors College's Accelerated Bachelor’s/J.D. Program with the College of Law.
Their paths reflect a broader trend among Honors graduates: a commitment to continued learning across disciplines, from healthcare and law to technology, public policy and the humanities.
Launching Careers After Graduation
Abhay Deep Singh has this to say about his undergraduate experience: “The Honors College provided me with all the resources I needed to succeed in my college journey. . . Be it the presidential scholarship that jumpstarted my journey in the U.S. or the honors classes that allowed me access to education that challenged me further, I will forever be grateful to have been part of this community.”
A number of Honors College graduates are also stepping directly into competitive professional roles, securing positions before completing their degrees.
Abhay Deep Singh (B.S. ’26), a computer science graduate and Presidential Scholar, will begin his career as a software development engineer at Amazon. Alexandrea Agbojeyin (B.S. ’26), who completed internships with Oracle and McKenney’s, will join Equifax as a cybersecurity engineer. In the communications and public service space, Maria Brown (B.A. ’26) will move to Washington, D.C., to begin her career as a press assistant for a U.S. senator. Rahul Kadam (B.S. ’26), a computer science graduate, will begin working as a data analyst at UPS this year.
These outcomes are closely tied to the internships, assistantships and applied learning experiences students pursued during their time at Georgia State. Across disciplines, students built professional networks and gained hands-on experience that positioned them to move directly into their fields.
Preparing for Next Steps Through Experience
The skills Rahul Kadam gained as a campus energy analyst, math tutor and intern at Cloud Tech Innovations helped him secure his new role at UPS.
For many Honors College graduates, the transition after graduation is defined by a deliberate period of exploration and growth.
While some have plans to take a gap semester or year, often combining work, research and service, in many cases these experiences are directly tied to future goals in fields such as medicine, law, research and public policy.
Juan Martinez (B.S. ’26), who conducted research in psychology and public health, is continuing his work as a research coordinator while building toward a future in academia. Kokou Efou (B.S. ’26) is beginning a data analytics internship while working toward a career in user experience research.
Puja Raol (B.S. ’26) is preparing for her year as a Fulbright Scholar and had this to say: “As a Fulbright Scholar, I plan to lead a research study in rural India for the upcoming year to study mental health disparities and implement culturally sensitive and holistic mental health interventions. The experiences that the Honors College has provided me have encouraged me to grow as an individual and future physician.”
A Foundation Built on Experience, Mentorship and Impact
As an undergraduate, Kokou Efou worked with the GSU Libraries Research Data Services department as a UAP intern and represented the university at organizations such as the Southern Sociological Society and PIT-UN.
How does the Honors College shape student success? Students consistently point to the same factors: hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship and opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.
Programs such as the University Assistantship Program ("UAP"), Honors Thesis and the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference allowed students to conduct original research, present their work and build professional-level skills before graduating.
Armida Yee-Muñoz (B.A. ’26), an English graduate, gained real-world experience as a student reporter through the University Assistantship Program, producing stories for Honors College News and developing skills in writing and communications that will carry forward into her career. David Hoffman (B.A. ’26) built professional experience through internships, including work with the Supreme Court of Georgia, strengthening his preparation for a career in law.
Puja Roal will be starting her Fulbright scholarship year this summer. As an undergraduate, Raol was a Harvard/MIT HEART and SHURP scholar, Gilman Scholar, and Nell Hamilton Trotter award recipient.
Students also highlight the importance of community, both among peers and faculty. Smaller class sizes, discussion-based seminars and dedicated advising helped many refine their goals and build confidence in their abilities.
A Class Defined by Preparation and Purpose
Honors College students are not simply completing their degrees, they are leaving with a foundation of research, leadership and real-world experience that positions them for success.
Whether heading directly into careers, pursuing advanced degrees or taking time to build experience, this year’s graduates reflect an Honors College experience that encourages curiosity, fosters growth and helps students find their place in the world.
The Honors College at Georgia State University is a destination for high-achieving students who embody curiosity, take pride in their work and dream about how they can make an impact through their studies and careers. Its mission is to serve students in a welcoming space by engaging students’ curiosity, empowering them to achieve their highest potential and inspiring them to find their place in the world. Its students form life-long friendships, participate in community service, perform research, excel academically, explore their interests and chart their career paths.