Many students who walk the campus at Hastings College carry special talents, are creative, academically excel or are high achievers on and off the court. Grace Branson is all of those things and more.
Branson came to Hastings College from Lawrence, Kansas, where she excelled at school and on the volleyball court — and is involved in as many aspects of campus life as someone could possibly be.
She’s a member of multiple groups on campus, including Bronco Move; Alpha Chi, the collegiate honors society; and Psi Chi, the psychology national honors society. Branson said she works so hard in order to prepare herself for a career as a counselor in clinical mental health counseling. She plans to attend West Virginia University for her master’s degree in the fall.
She holds a 4.0 GPA and was recently named Hastings College female scholar athlete of the year, where she was a three-year starter for the volleyball team.
The accolades don’t stop there. She attended Hastings College on the Ringland Scholarship where she is a dual major in exercise science and psychology with a minor in strength and conditioning. During her time on campus, she earned Dean’s List four straight years, was named an NAIA scholar-athlete and received SoSIDA academic all district honors.
Branson also has a talent for academic research.
She recently completed two senior capstone projects centering around the impact of coaching feedback on women’s confidence and sports performance. She credits her advisors, Dr. Rachael Robinson-Keilig, associate professor of psychology, and Casey Krolikowksi, assistant professor of exercise science, for helping her navigate the rigours of college and for being support structures for her to lean on.
She said the unique community at Hastings College also helped her learn and grow.
“I love the community. As someone who didn’t grow up in Nebraska, Hastings College has a community like no other,” Branson said. “Not only do you meet many students from different backgrounds and form close friendships with, but the faculty here are supportive and welcoming and care about you and work with you to help you achieve your goals.”
Branson has continually impressed the faculty with her dedication and focus, as well as her constant bright presence on campus, Krolikowksi said.
“She embodies the growth, ethics and mindset we hope to foster here at the College and we wish her the best as she ventures into the world as a Hastings College graduate,” she said.
