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.
Forensic Biology Student Named Outstanding Graduate
Amber Mascia, Keystone College, was selected as her institution's Class of 2026 Outstanding Graduate, capping a college career defined by academic depth, military service, and a commitment to the campus community.
Mascia graduated as high school valedictorian before completing basic combat training and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where she qualified as a fire support specialist in the U.S. Army. At Keystone, she pursued a double major in forensic biology and chemistry, adding a minor in psychology, while staying deeply involved across campus. She served four years as an admissions ambassador, captained the cheerleading team her senior year, and reestablished the Armed Forces Club, which organized care package drives for deployed service members and partnered with the Counseling and Well-Being Center on an annual suicide awareness event.
Her academic work went well beyond the classroom. Mascia interned with the Scranton Police Department's crime scene unit, assisted with postmortem identification at a forensic center, and worked as a public safety aide with the Ocean City Police Department. She also served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard throughout her college career, reaching the rank of Sergeant, and most recently participated in a multinational training mission in Estonia alongside units from 11 allied nations.
After graduation, Mascia plans to work as a research assistant before pursuing a PhD in molecular biology and genetics.
Read More from Keystone College >>
High School Member Accepted to 91 Colleges, Earns $3 Million in Scholarship Offers
Mahogany Newkirk, National Online Chapter, made headlines after being accepted to 91 colleges and universities and receiving more than $3 million in scholarship offers, the result of four years of focused academic work and a 4.0 GPA.
Newkirk earned her Associate in Arts degree from Central Carolina Community College while simultaneously completing high school coursework through Harnett County Early College, earning both credentials at once. She has chosen to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she will major in graphic design with a minor in branding and advertising.
Outside of academics, Newkirk is involved with music, playing both piano and bass guitar.
First-Generation Graduate Earns Degree, Becomes Digital Skills Advocate
Belinda Parker-Mendoza, San Antonio College, became the first person in her family to earn any kind of diploma when she walked across the stage with her Associate's Degree in Business Administration, a milestone that began not in a classroom but in a digital skills training course online.
Parker-Mendoza, 45, gained access to a laptop and internet through a government-supported program in 2022, which opened the door to her education. From there, she moved from student to instructor, eventually training others in digital tools ranging from basic computer use to Microsoft Excel and telehealth platforms. A three-year commitment to AmeriCorps VISTA followed, during which she grew into a community coordinator role.
She graduated from San Antonio College with a 4.0 GPA, earning membership in multiple honor societies, including the NSLS, as well as a Business Operations Certificate, an Occupational Skills Award, and an Operations Leadership Certificate. She has since transferred to Palo Alto College, where she is working toward a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Technology in Operations Management, on track to graduate in 2027.
Read More at Community Networks >>
Featured Graduate Ready to Pursue Master's, Amplify Native Voices
Emily Notsinneh, The University of New Mexico, was recognized as a 2026 Inspiring Graduate for a journey that balanced motherhood, homeschooling, and higher education.
A first-generation, non-traditional student, Notsinneh earned her associate's degree right after high school, then stepped away for nine years to build her family. She returned to college while homeschooling both of her children, tackling her coursework whenever she could find the time. The flexibility of online learning made her path possible, as did UNM's American Indian Student Services, a community that reflected her identity and values.
Notsinneh is now pursuing a master's in creative writing at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, with a goal of writing a book and contributing to a growing body of literature by Native authors. Her experience teaching her own children has also sparked an interest in higher education instruction.
Marketing Major Helps Lead Fundraising Campaign Supporting Unhoused Youth
Andraya Givargis, St. John's University, graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and will continue at St. John's in the fall, pursuing an MBA in business analytics. She was featured by her school for both academic success and her active involvement on campus.
Givargis arrived on campus as a commuter student and built her experience from the ground up, joining the Financial Management Association and the Marketing Club. Through the Thomas J. Cox Honors Program, she traveled to Cork, Ireland, where she visited Dell Technologies' headquarters, presented to the CEO of Kerry Group, and toured University College Cork.
Her academic work extended into real-world fundraising: as part of an advertising and experiential marketing course, she helped lead a campaign that raised more than $4,000 for Covenant House New York, supporting unhoused youth. She also completed two internships, one in sales and event marketing and another as a marketing intern in the Commercial and Industrial division at the manufacturing firm Leviton.
Read More from St. John's University >>
Other NSLS Members Receiving Recognition This Month:
Denise Montaño, Dallas College, was selected as one of six commencement speakers for the college's May graduation ceremonies. A first-generation student who balanced academics, work, and multiple honor and leadership organizations, she will continue her studies at the University of Texas at Arlington this fall. Full Story >>
Rocco Cieslak, University of Colorado Boulder, was named to the university's Outstanding Graduates list after completing his business degree in three years with a 4.0 GPA. He earned the Academic Excellence Award and the Chancellor's Recognition Award while being named to the Dean's List six consecutive times. Full Story >>
Jessica Barb, Penn State Harrisburg, will graduate this spring with a degree in communications and a minor in military studies. A member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and Army ROTC cadet, she will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course after graduation to become a Public Affairs Officer. Full Story >>
Kevin Vattakatte, Columbia Southern University, has been recognized for his contributions to information technology within the oil and gas sector. An MBA graduate in project management, he manages complex programs, integrates AI for client advantage, and volunteers at elementary schools and blood drives in his community. Full Story >>
