Monday, April 18, 2011

SOE Student Receives Winter 2011 Chancellor’s Medallion

In recognition of her outstanding academic accomplishment, April Kersey (Elementary Education) has been chosen as the School of Education’s Winter 2011 recipient of the Chancellor’s Medallion. This award is an honor presented each term to one graduating senior from each academic unit at University Commencement.

April began her studies at UM-Dearborn in fall 2007, shortly after being crowned Miss Westland and receiving a scholarship to support her college studies. During her four years at the university she has achieved high academic distinction, earning University honors three of four years and achieving dean’s list recognition in seven of her eight terms. In 2008 she received the William J Branstorm award for academic accomplishment. She was selected to be a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and Pi Lambda Theta, the School of Education Honor Society, and she served as PLT president from 2009 to the end of 2010.

In addition to her high academic achievement, Ms. Kersey has given generously of her time and talent in service to the community. She has volunteered with Girl Scouts, teens in the D.A.R.E. program, and troubled youth at events such as, “Turn off the Violence Night”. She has been an active participant in the MLK Day of Service at UM-Dearborn. In 2010, through the University’s Blueprints Leadership program, she received the Leadership Synergy award for creating and launching an after school program for Detroit pre-teen students to help them prepare for a successful future. She has also assisted with fundraising on behalf of the Oakwood Hospital Center for Exceptional Families. Off campus, she was employed at Panera Bread in Dearborn, where she was named Associate of the Year at the facility that is now known as Panera Cares, thereby giving her an opportunity to speak with community groups about Panera’s non-profit community café concept. April also served as a DJ on UMD Radio!

During her final term at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Ms. Kersey has been a student intern in a 5th grade classroom. From this experience and her earlier involvement with the Early Childhood Education Center and Oakwood Center for Exceptional Families, she has decided to work with and educate children with special needs, especially those with autism. To fulfill that dream, she plans next to pursue a master’s degree in special education.

Please join me in congratulating April Kersey on being selected for this prestigious honor and in wishing her much success in her future endeavors!

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