NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University Honors College students earned top national honors and placements at the 35th Annual National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP) conference, continuing a tradition of academic excellence on the national stage.
Held Oct. 21–24 in Nashville, the conference was hosted by Fisk University with TSU serving as co-host. Marking the fourth consecutive year TSU Honors students have captured first- and second-place awards at the event, the performance highlights the university’s commitment to undergraduate research, leadership, and scholarly achievement.
Among the standout honorees was Aida Conley, a freshman bioinformation technology major from Hixson, Tennessee, who captured first place in the Honors Got Talent competition. Conley delivered a commanding vocal performance of the Queen’s classic “Somebody to Love.”
“I am incredibly honored to receive first place and represent TSU with my talent! Everyone in the room was so supportive of each other like one big family, it was a heartwarming experience and gave me the confidence to perform,” Conley said.
Freshman engineering major David Johnson, of Arkansas, also represented TSU in the talent showcase.
In the undergraduate research division, junior biology major Emerie Eddins secured second place in the poster presentation competition. Her research, titled “Effect of Pentachlorophenol Exposures on Expression of the Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors 3 and 8 in Human Immune Cells,” was conducted alongside student Ellie Bray under the guidance of Dr. Margaret Whalen in TSU’s Department of Chemistry.
“I am very thankful to receive the second-place award for poster presentations at the NAAAHP conference,” Eddins said. “The outpouring number of presenters alongside me created a welcoming environment for me. I am honored that I got the opportunity to present my research among the brilliant minds of the NAAAHP.”
TSU was further represented in the research division by ZaNeah Lee, Keral Hereford, Kennedy Davis, Jania McMinis, Ellie Bray, and Nadia Robinson. TSU students also competed in the Quiz Bowl under the direction of faculty coach Dr. John Miglietta, matching intellect against teams from institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh, Spelman College, and host Fisk University.
“We are very proud of our Honors students who continue to shine and excel in their academics and scholarly work,” said Dr. Coreen Jackson, dean of the TSU Honors College. “TSU is known for producing outstanding researchers among our peer institutions, and these students are products of our world-class faculty in all eight colleges. We are extremely proud of their dedication and the excellence with which they represented Tennessee State University.”
As co-host, TSU welcomed approximately 160 conference attendees to The SMART Center on its Avon Williams Campus on Oct. 22, and again on Oct. 23 for the Black Wall Street Ball. The gala featured a keynote address by Ashford Hughes Sr., executive officer for Metro Nashville Public Schools and My Brother’s Keeper, who challenged students to reflect on the broader purpose of education and leadership.
In addition to student achievements, Jackson moderated the Deans and Directors Roundtable and presented on “Honors Pedagogy and Contemporary Practices at HBCU Honors Colleges and Programs.” A past president of the NAAAHP, Jackson serves as senior advisor to the Board of Directors.
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.