Alyssa Joseph, a freshman at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been selected for a 2021 Mitchell Academic Incentive Award from Greater Little Rock Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

The Debrah Mitchell Academic Incentive Award provides a $500 scholarship to three minority college students who graduated from an Arkansas high school in 2021.

“When I first heard about winning the award, I was so excited,” said Joseph, of Sherwood. “I feel like it’s an honor for them to pick me out of all the applicants. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

A North Little Rock High School 2021 honor graduate, Joseph is now a first-year biology major with a minor in chemistry with future plans to attend medical school, study neuroscience, and become a neurosurgeon.

Award recipients must demonstrate leadership in and out of the classroom. While in high school, Joseph was vice president of National Honor Society, senior captain for North Little Rock Color Guard, and first chair contrabass in her instrument band. She was also a member of Student Council, Girl Scouts, varsity tennis team, and the North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council as well as a member of the youth choir at Greater New Bibleway Church of God In Christ.

At UA Little Rock, Joseph is a Chancellor’s Leadership Corps member, a student ambassador, and a member of the L.O.V.E. Gospel Choir.

“I am a leader because I like to encourage people,” Joseph said. “I would want to see someone my age who is doing well in life, who has everything together, and has their mind set on getting their future career. I want to be that person my little cousins can look up to and be an inspiration to them.”

The two other recipients include Jada Simpson, an education major at the University of Central Arkansas, and Tabry Jordan, a criminology major at the University of Rich Mountain Community College.