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Balancing the responsibilities of being a young mother with the academic rigor of a nursing program, first-year Honors College student Zaya Campbell faces a schedule most students would find daunting. Yet her passion for nursing stems from deeply personal experiences that have shaped her goals and given her journey new meaning. It was her own experiences navigating healthcare as a young mother that fueled her desire to become a nurse, particularly one who can support young mothers and families going through similar challenges. “I want to make a difference,” Zaya explained, describing how she was motivated by the support—and at times, the lack of support—she encountered during her medical journey. 

For Kent State Honors College senior Lexi Moses (they/them), storytelling isn’t just an academic pursuit—it’s a lifelong passion and a vehicle for advocacy. As the 2024-2025 recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship, Lexi, a double major in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies, embodies the scholarship’s mission to financially support students with intellectual curiosity while also reflecting some of the academic and creative interests of Professor Howard. With a deep dedication to equity and inclusion, Lexi’s academic journey has been as inspiring as it is interdisciplinary, blending a love of literature with a drive for social change. 

Turaba Rahman, a senior at 5X���� and in the Honors College, grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. When she was little, she was enamored with stargazing. Where she lived, it was hard to see the sky through the buildings and lights that blocked it, but she always tried her best to spot constellations. Ever since she can remember being frustrated while trying to draw the perfect star, she had fallen in love with the giant spheres of dust and gas.

For its fourth consecutive year, the 5X���� Honors College is hosting “Career Conversations,” a series of alumni speaking events which take place throughout the fall semester.