University of Mississippi

Krystyna Burenok, a native of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in finance on a pre-law track. Her path to this moment began long before she ever stepped foot in Oxford.

Suezette Salazar's journey to earning a marketing degree from the University of Mississippi has been anything but ordinary, shaped by risk, loss and resilience. But the challenges she overcame have made it that much more rewarding and point toward a bright future.

For Connor Callahan, who graduated with Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Mississippi in May, the journey to Commencement has been defined by saying yes - to new experiences, new challenges and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Tooth extractions, cavity fillings, cleanings. In Guatemala's highlands, University of Mississippi student Capri Lobotzke stood ready to assist dentists caring for the people of Tecpan. For Lobotzke, who graduated in May, the experience was as personal as it was professional. The year before, she had double jaw surgery, an intense procedure that ignited her interest in dentistry.

Heath Stevens arrived at the University of Mississippi with a scholarship and left with a calling: to practice medicine in Mississippi and confront the state's cancer mortality rate, which is the nation's highest. Stevens, of Oxford, a biomedical engineering major and member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, aims to enroll at the University of Mississippi Medical Center this fall.

Brooke Jankowsky has always been driven by a go-big-or-go-home mentality. From an early age, the University of Mississippi graduating senior threw herself into every organization she joined, determined to contribute as much as possible.

Jackelyn Facio, of Pascagoula, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies and Arabic this year, was selected as a Boren Scholar by the National Security Education Program. She will study in Morocco.

Lily Schauwecker, of Starkville, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and Arabic this year, was selected as a Boren Scholar by the National Security Education Program. She will study in Morocco.

Mikayla Kazmierkoski, a junior Chinese and finance major from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was selected as a Boren Scholar by the National Security Education Program.

Leah Siemon, a junior international studies and Chinese major from Bloomington, Indiana, was selected as a Boren Scholar by the National Security Education Program.

Patrick McCay, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in biological science from the University of Mississippi this year, received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship to conduct research in Hungary.

Harrison Dillard, of Memphis, Tennessee, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Mississippi in 2025, received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship. Dillard received a master's degree program award to study at Ghent University in Belgium.

Daniel Sloan, of Taylorville, Illinois, who earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Mississippi this year, received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship to conduct research in Rwanda.

Sarah Hall, of Madison, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese from the University of Mississippi in 2024, received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship. Hall's award will allow her to travel to Taiwan to earn a master's degree in teaching Chinese as a second language.

Samantha Sepe, of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, who earned a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi this year, received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship. Sepe has the option to work as an English teaching assistant in Greece.

Carla Contreras, from New Albany, an art student at the University of Mississippi, won a Gold award in the Cross-Platform/Integrated Consumer Campaign category for her entry, "ICE Detention Centers PSA," at the 2026 Memphis ADDY Awards.

Elizabeth Jennings, from Olive Branch, an art student at the University of Mississippi, won a Silver award in the Elements of Advertising - Illustration Campaign category for her entry, "Vixen Essence," at the 2026 ADDY Awards in Memphis, Tennessee.

Aubrey Best, from Oxford, an art student at the University of Mississippi, won Best of Show - Student Work and a Gold award in the Sales and Marketing/Cover/Editorial Spread or Feature Series category for her work on Flair Magazine at the 2026 Memphis ADDY Awards. She also won a Gold award in the Elements of Advertising/Logo Design category, a Judges Special Award, and a Silver award in the Sales and Marketing - Packaging category for her entry "Red Soil Spirits."

Andrew Neal Hightower, of Mandeville, Louisiana, was designated class marshal for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Hightower, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Ashlan Evans, from Oxford, an art student at the University of Mississippi, won a Silver award in the Cross-Platform/Integrated Advertising Consumer Campaign category for her entry, "Drive Sober. Arrive Alive," at the 2026 ADDY Awards in Memphis, Tennessee.

Sarah Beth Brassfield, of Houston, was designated class marshal for the School of Business Administration at the University of Mississippi. Brassfield, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Maria Robinson Sallee, of Collierville, Tennessee, was designated class marshal for the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Sallee, who earned a Doctor of Pharmacy, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Emily Paige Rasmussen, of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, was designated class marshal for the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi. Rasmussen, who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering science, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Esraa Abdel Rahman Al Shawakri, of Oxford, was designated class marshal for the Graduate School at the University of Mississippi. Al Shawakri, who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in pharmaceutical sciences, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Amber Marie Morrison, of Tupelo, was designated class marshal for the School of Law at the University of Mississippi. Morrison, who earned a Juris Doctor, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Ashley Taegan Duke, of Collierville, Tennessee, was designated class marshal for General Studies at the University of Mississippi. Duke, who earned a Bachelor of Multi-Disciplinary Studies, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Ella Callaway Scroggins, of Madison, Alabama, was designated class marshal for the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Scroggins, who earned a Bachelor of Science in integrated marketing communications, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Grace Allagene Landry, of Ocean Springs, was designated banner bearer for the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Landry, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in political science, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Katherine Lydia Tibbs, of Diamondhead, was designated banner bearer for the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi. Tibbs, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.

Rachel Kathryn Rowe, of Diamondhead, was designated class marshal for the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi. Rowe, who earned a Bachelor of Accountancy, was among the 15 UM students named class marshal or banner bearer for their respective college or school during the 2026 Commencement ceremonies.