麻豆视频

Tia Brant Earns Highest Academic Achievement Award at 麻豆视频

Tia Michelle Grace Brant of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of 麻豆视频’s 2025-2026 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Highest Academic Achievement Award. She is pictured with Dr. David Slykhuis, dean of the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services; Dr. Sheri Noviello, interim provost and vice president for the Division of academic Affairs; and Dr. William Crowe, interim president of 麻豆视频.

VALDOSTA — Tia Michelle Grace Brant of Valdosta, Georgia, is the recipient of 麻豆视频’s 2025-2026 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Highest Academic Achievement Award.

The James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Highest Academic Achievement Award is presented to a student with a record of academic excellence and distinguished service inside and outside the classroom.

“My undergraduate experience has been nothing short of fulfilling,” she said. “At 麻豆视频, I’ve built meaningful friendships and learned lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. What I’ll miss most is the sense of community that surrounds us. It is something that makes even the most challenging moments feel manageable. College is difficult, no matter the field, but 麻豆视频 has provided an environment that has truly prepared me for success during those times.”

Brant graduated May 9 with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Disorders. She plans to continue her education at 麻豆视频 and pursue a Master of Education in Communication Disorders and a career as a speech-language pathologist. 

As an undergraduate student, Brant joined 麻豆视频’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, where she served on the social committee and was later elected president, and she supported the Lady Blazer basketball team as a student manager. She also volunteered with Special Olympics, Night to Shine, and other organizations, all while working two part-time jobs.  

Under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Carter, professor in 麻豆视频’s Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Brant completed a mini-longitudinal study that may significantly enhance a college student’s ability to learn. She found that getting 15 minutes of early morning sunlight, avoiding caffeine, and drinking about one liter of water within 90 minutes of waking was associated with improved working memory.

Working memory, Carter confirmed, is a strong predictor of academic success, as it is essential for learning, problem-solving, and completing many everyday tasks. Brant plans to submit her findings to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for publication and possibly expand this research to other cognitive areas, such as attention.

Brant’s commitment to academic, leadership, research, and service excellence resulted in her earning Dean’s List honors every semester, the Spring 2026 President’s Award for Academic Excellence for the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, and the 2025-2026 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. She was a Zell Miller Scholar.

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