Our members participate in volunteer events and take part in a wide range of community service initiatives. Upon graduation, they apply the interpersonal skills they’ve acquired to start businesses, pursue promotions, and more, using what they have learned to Build Leaders Who Make a Better World.
Check out the headlines made by NSLS members who used their leadership skills to level up in their careers, earn outstanding academic honors, and help make a positive impact on their communities this month.
Annalee MacArthur, Southern Utah University (SUU), has been named the 2025 valedictorian for the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business. A driven student, MacArthur pursued a double major in accounting and finance while also remaining actively engaged in leadership roles across campus.
During her time at SUU, she served as treasurer for her NSLS chapter and held the role of director of email marketing for the Women in Business club. She also worked as a teaching assistant for an accounting professor who played a pivotal role in her academic journey.
Outside the classroom, MacArthur is passionate about building meaningful connections, traveling, dancing, reading, and making a positive impact on her community.
Read More from Southern Utah University >>
Dillon Cook, The University of Alabama (UA), has been named a recipient of the 2025 Morris Lehman Mayer Award, one of the university’s most distinguished honors. The award recognizes individuals who embody selfless service and unwavering leadership, values Cook has consistently demonstrated throughout his academic journey.
Cook has impacted countless students, from helping first-years adjust to college life to supporting the CrossingPoints program, which assists students with intellectual disabilities in navigating the university experience. His leadership roles span across several campus organizations, including President of UA’s NSLS chapter.
He has also been selected for multiple prestigious programs, including the Civic Leadership Fellowship, the Global Leadership Academy, the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative, and the Blackburn Institute, a leadership development and civic engagement program specifically focused on improving the state of Alabama. His legacy at UA reflects a deep commitment to service, mentorship, and leading with purpose.
Read More from The University of Alabama >>
Jade Mundy, Indiana University Southeast (IUS), has been awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship, one of the university’s highest honors. Reserved for students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and resilience, the scholarship is awarded annually to just eight recipients and includes up to $6,000 in tuition support.
Mundy, a psychology major with minors in criminology and communications, has shown an unwavering dedication to both her studies and campus life. She has helped coordinate various events on campus, ranging from graduation ceremonies to IUS Fest, a campus-wide celebration.
Looking ahead, Mundy plans to complete her bachelor’s degree this fall and pursue an education specialist degree in school psychology at IU Bloomington. Her goal is to become a school psychologist, where she hopes to continue supporting and guiding future generations with the same drive and empathy that earned her this recognition.
Read More at Dubois County Free Press >>
Nabanita Das, National University, a seasoned software engineer, has received a 2024 Global Recognition Award for her exceptional contributions to the information technology industry. With over 17 years of experience across sectors such as healthcare, banking, insurance, retail, and cybersecurity, Das has built a reputation for designing high-impact integration solutions that deliver measurable results and drive business transformation.
Her work has led to substantial cost savings and efficiency improvements for countless organizations, while her emphasis on ethical decision-making and integrity underscores her commitment to responsible leadership in a rapidly evolving field. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Das is deeply committed to lifelong learning. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science and holds both a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering, plus an MBA in project management.
Das has also been recognized for her academic achievements, including an Outstanding Academic Performance award for maintaining a GPA above 3.7 in graduate school, a testament to her discipline, drive, and pursuit of excellence at every level.
Read More at Business Insider >>
Sha’Lexus Sanders, North Carolina Central University (NCCU), has been elected as the university’s 83rd student body president and only the 11th woman to hold the role in school history. Her campaign centered around the theme of G.R.O.W.T.H., an acronym for Guidance, Representation, Outreach, Wellness, Tenacity, and Harmony, each representing a chapter in her personal and leadership journey.
Sanders’ story is one of remarkable transformation. Once a quiet freshman with limited campus involvement, she has since become one of the most active and visible student leaders at NCCU. Her leadership trajectory began with her role as an intercultural leader and steadily expanded into civic engagement and advocacy. She went on to serve as assistant director of Political Action and Community Engagement (P.A.C.E.) and as a civic engagement navigator.
Today, she holds several influential positions: director of P.A.C.E., representative for the N.C. Black Alliance, ambassador for the civic engagement working group, community service chair for the NSLS, and a career education mentor. Sanders’ journey reflects not just leadership, but a deep commitment to helping others grow and find their voice, just as she found hers.
Read More at Campus Echo Online >>
Sydnee Scoles, Western Governors University (WGU), has been featured for her work as a travel dialysis nurse and the significant impact she’s made in healthcare. Scoles has earned an associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree in nursing, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. Full Story >>
Marolla Youakim, Hudson County Community College, has been recognized for her academic excellence and campus involvement after immigrating from Egypt to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. She earned a 4.0 GPA in her first semester while balancing a rigorous course load and has since been awarded a highly competitive national transfer scholarship for her outstanding leadership, service, and engagement. Full Story >>
Brayden Williamson, Chapter President at Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College, has been elected as the student representative on the college’s Board of Governors. Besides academic excellence and involvement with campus and church communities, he is also an accomplished musician, leading a band since he was 18. Full Story >>
Sarah Snow, Kutztown University, was awarded the Chambliss Academic Copper Medal for her successfully completed research project and academic excellence. A regular dean’s list student, she has also received multiple departmental awards and is currently applying to graduate programs in both political science and geography. Full Story >>
Gracey Suggs, Austin Peay State University, was named the student trustee on the Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees. A biology major on the pre-med track with goals of becoming a pediatric oncologist, Suggs has held several leadership roles on campus, including serving as a junior senator in the Student Government Association and participating in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during her time as a cheerleader. Full Story >>
Andrew Dalton, McNeese State University, was named to McNeese State University’s 2025 Spring Court. The psychology student is actively involved on campus as the Burton College of Education senator for the Student Government Association, while also participating in Cowboy Catholics, the Biology Club, and more. Full Story >>