Image
Honors College celebrates faculty mentor transforming student lives at Central State University
By Alissa Paolella, Communications Manager
Posted May 09 2025
Above, L-R: Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Theresa Aikens, graduating senior Ibrahima Jarjou, and Dr. Sarah Armstrong-Jones, Assistant Executive Director of the Honors College at Central State University.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Theresa Aikens was recognized at the 2025 Honors College Ceremony for her unwavering commitment and transformative impact on Central State University students.
Selected by the Honors College leadership for her longstanding service, Dr. Aikens has played a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring Marauders throughout their academic journeys.
A 2016 Central State graduate with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology, Dr. Aikens has been a driving force within the Honors College since its inception. After returning to CSU as an adjunct professor in 2018, she formally joined the Honors College in 2021 and advanced to her current role in 2024.
Her impact spans far beyond the classroom. Dr. Aikens has supervised over 40 independent honors projects, taught dedicated sections of psychology courses for honors students, and supported student organizations such as the Golden Key International Honour Society and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
“Dr. Aikens was chosen because of her long history with the Honors College, including advising, teaching psychology course sections, and supervising projects,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong-Jones, Assistant Executive Director of the Honors College.
“Student feedback is consistently positive. She’s also launched programs that enrich the college experience in lasting ways.” — Dr. Sarah Armstrong-Jones
Dr. Aikens said her deep bond with this year’s graduating class made the recognition even more meaningful. “These graduating seniors are so impressive, and I was blessed to meet them four years ago,” she said during heartfelt remarks at the ceremony. I’ve been inspired ever since.”
Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, Dr. Aikens mentored students through 17 independent in-course honors projects and 24 Introduction to Psychology projects, meeting with each student bi-weekly. Students selected topics they were passionate about, conducted scholarly research, presented their findings, and applied academic concepts in personally meaningful ways.
Standout projects from her students included:
- A student created a 3D model of the brain to explain the function of the amygdala.
- Another launched a podcast exploring the link between mental health and campus life.
- Olivia Jackson, a pre-law student heading to law school, completed a project on bipolar disorder and co-created a “Mental Health Matters” bulletin board for the psychology department.
These graduating seniors are so impressive, and I was blessed to meet them four years ago. I've been inspired ever since.
Dr. Theresa AikensAssistant Professor of Psychology
The impact of Dr. Aikens’ mentorship extends far beyond the classroom. She has supported the personal growth and leadership development of students who are now role models in their own right, including:
- Jeremy Jackson and Kamille Austin, original members of the Honors College and models of academic excellence.
- Ibrahima Jarjou, a multilingual student-athlete, double major, nonprofit founder, and campus leader.
- Sukhraj Sandhu, a track star, scholar, and future MBA student known for his tenacity.
Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Aikens expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I’ve been blessed to work with you all. You’ve touched my life, and you’re all inspirations and role models for those who follow.”
Her legacy aligns seamlessly with the Honors College’s mission: to foster academic excellence, leadership, and service. Dr. Aikens embodies that vision, empowering Marauders to lead with purpose and pride.
Student reflections: Leaving a legacy
One of the ceremony’s most moving moments came from Jarjou, an international student from Casamance, Senegal. Reflecting on his journey, he credited Central State and the Honors College for helping him grow in unexpected ways.
Arriving in the United States in 2017 with aspirations of playing in the NBA and limited English skills, Jarjou is now fluent in five languages — and an influential voice on campus. “I knew my journey was about perseverance. I wanted to inspire someone — my siblings and the kids in my community — and that kept me going.”
Transferring to Central State and joining the Honors College, he said, was a turning point. “Here, I found peace, community, and opportunity. As an Honors College student, I’ve grown in ways I never expected.”
For his final project, Jarjou examined the mental and physical health of student-athletes at Division II HBCUs like Central State — a subject close to his heart. “I wanted to shine a light on what often gets overlooked and be a voice for change.”
With heartfelt pride, he concluded:
“I’m proud to be a Marauder. I’m proud to wear Marauder Gold. And I’m proud to say that I didn’t just make it — I left my mark.”
To learn more about the Honors College, visit https://www.centralstate.edu/academics-colleges-and-schools/honors.
In-course honors project advisors
The Honors College extends its heartfelt gratitude to the professors and instructors for supervising in-course honors projects for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. These projects enable honors students to earn credit while exploring course concepts more deeply. They also enable students to create meaningful projects that contribute to their knowledge and skills and enhance their opportunities for internships, job placements, and graduate school applications.
