TU Names Graduate Students Division Award Winners
Post Published On:Thomas University honored four outstanding students during the graduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4 at the Forbes Campus.
The students were recognized for demonstrating academic excellence throughout their time at TU.
The Division Award winners were Alexus Parker of Guyton, Georgia; Dori Griffin of Whigham, Georgia; Drew Lanier of Bainbridge, Georgia and, Nissrine Bourbouh of Morrocco.
Division of Education
Alexus Parker
Alexus Parker is Thomas University’s Division of Education’s Graduate Student of the Year for the 2023-24 academic year.
She is a 9th – 12th grade science teacher, and the girls’ head Basketball Coach at South Effingham High School in Guyton, GA. Alexus earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Thomas University in 2023 and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 2017.
She completed her MAT in Pedagogy and secondary Biology while teaching and coaching basketball full-time. Alexus plays in the Atlanta Entertainment Basketball League Women’s Pro-Am.
“I believe in being able to make an immediate impact on each child that crosses my path,” she stated. “As an educator and a coach, my goal is to mold our young student-athletes to be more than just athletes, but to be good people who model integrity and excellence, on and off the court.”
It is for these reasons and others that the faculty of the Division of Education are proud to recognize Alexus Parker as the Division of Education’s Graduate Honor Award Recipient.
Division of Health and Sciences
Dori Griffin
Dori Griffin exemplifies a student whose nursing educational and career journey emulates the vision and mission of Thomas University.
After being promoted to the Director of Nursing position at Archbold Grady in 2019, Griffin’s desire to pursue a higher degree grew. She enrolled in Thomas University and earned her Master of Science in Nursing Administration in 2023 with a 4.0 GPA.
Reaching this point in her academic and professional life began at an early age. Dori graduated high school with her College Prep diploma and CNA license. She began her nursing career by working as a CNA at Archbold Grady while attending Darton College in the Associate of Nursing program.
Following her graduation in 2001, Dori worked as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Archbold Grady for the next 23 years.
In 2014, Griffin returned to school while working to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Thomas University. Later, she returned to her Alma Mater and earned her Master of Science in Nursing Administration.
Division of Social Behavioral Sciences
Drew Lanier
Drew Lanier has been a shining example in TU’s Master of Science in Counseling program.
She has been proactive in her academic classes and her work was always thorough. Her site supervisors have been pleased with how she just “fits” into the role of a school counselor.
Her empathy and creative problem-solving will continue to make her an effective and professional school counselor. Drew is an advocate for all students, especially the underserved students.
Drew collaborates with all teachers and staff to look for new ways to meet the needs of all students. Drew energetically leads as a school counselor with twice her experience as a young intern usually has.
Division of Business
Nissrine Bourbouh
Nissrine, who is from Morocco, earned her Master of Business Administration from Thomas University in 2023. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from TU.
Nissrine is a member of the Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society. She was on the Dean’s List and the President’s List. Nissrine competed on TU’s Varsity Swimming Team and received the KCAC Scholar-Athlete Award for both 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons with a 3.93 GPA.
She served as a swimming coach at Rabat Summer School and swam with the International Team of Morocco for the School Summer Games in 2019.
She also volunteered at Health for Homes on projects for families in need by renovating, cleaning, and painting.
She has FEMA Certifications in Fundamentals of Emergency Management, and Social Media in Emergency Management. Nissrine is fluent in 4 languages: English, French, Arabic, and Moroccan dialect.
Nissrine is already planning to pursue another master’s degree in accounting or finance.
