Lamar University's Reaud Honors College is celebrating a landmark year of growth, leadership and national recognition, positioning itself as a cornerstone of academic excellence and innovation for Southeast Texas and beyond.

From legislative internships in the Texas Capitol to research fellowships, Reaud Honors College students are earning distinction at the highest levels while building a strong culture of civic service and leadership on campus and in the community.

"This year has been a momentous one, filled with tremendous growth and opportunity," Dr. Tilisa Thibodeaux, dean of the Reaud Honors College said. "Lamar University has recognized Reaud Honors College students as top academic performers. Our students rank in the top 2.4% of undergraduates at Lamar University."

At the heart of this progress is the Reaud Leadership Institute, which launched with nine students and now includes 30. The program is composed of Presidential Scholars and Southeast Texas Legends Scholars, all of whom receive full-ride scholarships and represent the top tier of students who represent the Reaud Honors College.

Reaud Fellows take part in high-impact leadership and service experiences across the state and country. In the past year, students joined the Texas Legislative Internship Program in Austin, participated in the LU Ambassadors program, served on nonprofit boards, and represented Lamar in the National Model United Nations. Seven student delegates, guided by Thibodeaux and Dr. Maria Vallejo, represented El Salvador in competition with 3,000 peers from around the world, with one student earning an Outstanding Position Paper award.

"Our students seek leadership opportunities, use innovation and novel ideas as a catalyst for change, and are influencers on campus," Thibodeaux said.

Among the college's most celebrated achievements was the recognition ofReaudhonors student Mohamed Irhabi as the Texas State University System Regents' Student Scholar - an honor bestowed on just one student out of more than 100,000 across the system.

Mohamed Irhabi, a junior majoring in biology pre-med, received the award for outstanding academic achievement, leadership and contributions to the university and community. He serves as president of the Mixed Martial Arts Club, vice president of both the Muslim Student Association and the Helping Hands Club, officer in the American Medical Student Association, and an ambassador for Lamar University.

"Receiving the TSUS Regents' Student Scholar Award is an incredible honor and a meaningful milestone in my academic journey," Irhabi said. "The opportunities I've had at Lamar, through research, service, and mentorship, have shaped my academic and professional growth in ways I never imagined. I'm proud to represent Lamar University and the state of Texas, and I am grateful to the individuals who have supported me every step of the way."

Irhabi said the recognition reflects not only his individual efforts but also the support and opportunities he's found through the Reaud Honors College.

"The Reaud Honors College has been more than just academics," Irhabi said. "It gave me the chance to be part of a community that values leadership, service and innovation. Through internships and research opportunities, I've grown not just as a student, but as a leader who's ready to give back."

Those research opportunities have taken him all the way to Qatar, as a David J. Beck Fellow, to advance the field of neuro-ophthalmology, which combines the study of the brain and the eye.

"Honestly, that is my favorite memory from the Reaud Honors College," Irhabi said. "I was so connected with the faculty and staff, going back and forth throughout the process, and I also worked closely with my mentor from the biology department, who helped me with the content of my application. The Reaud Honors College staff assisted with the process and logistics as well."

The Beck fellowship funded his project this past summer at the Weill Cornell Medicine branch in Qatar, where he explored the potential of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, a non-invasive imaging technique, as a novel biomarker for Small Vessel Disease in ischemic stroke patients.

Traveling abroad to grow his leadership and medical skills is nothing new for Irhabi. He has also traveled to Turkey, where he represented the U.S. as one of 10 emerging Youth Leaders, at the Prophetic Strategy Summit.

Making an impact in Texas is important to him too. After logging more than 100 hours as an intern at the non-invasive cardiology department at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Irhabi joined the state's prestigious Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP). As a JAMP Scholar this past summer, he participated in clinical preceptorships in Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatric Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant at Texas Children's Hospital and the Debakey VA Medical Center in Houston.

Texas has already recognized Irhabi as a rising star at JAMP.

"His dedication, intellect, and vision reflect the heart of what JAMP and our partners strive to support: Texas students committed to improving health outcomes through innovation and service," JAMP Director Nina Gonzalez said.

Irhabi is one of many Reaud Honors Cardinals who foster community impact by integrating academic excellence with civic leadership and service learning. Another major way the Reaud Honors College extends its impact across campus and into the community is by partnering with the Texas Workforce Commission's Governor's Summer Merit Program. The Reaud Honors College co-hosted Innovation Collaboration STEM camps for 134 Southeast Texas students last summer. The camps introduced middle and high school students to engineering, science and career pathways through hands-on learning led by Lamar faculty, staff, and students.

"The Reaud Honors College has positioned itself to be the epicenter of innovation and collaboration," Thibodeaux said. "Our programs serve as the connective thread between academic colleges."

Honors college graduates say the Honors College continues to influence their professional and personal lives years later.

"The Honors College gave me great opportunities to meet other students and professors across a variety of disciplines," Dr. Wesley Smith, now an assistant professor of pediatrics at Kentucky Children's Hospital, said. "Many of the other students I met remain lifelong friends. The foundation and support that I received set me up for success."

Dr. Bethany Aiena, another alumna, said the program shaped her leadership skills and career trajectory.

"I was allowed to take special interest courses in topics like literature, music and religion that greatly expanded my world view," Aiena said. "I received mentorship that helped guide me into my Ph.D. program and expanded my awareness of the world around me. I will forever be grateful for the Honors College at Lamar and all the incredible people in it."

Today, Aiena is associate director for the Behavioral Health Program at DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston.

As the Reaud Honors College builds on this year's momentum, Thibodeaux said the future is bright. The college recently welcomed a new associate dean, Dr. Shannon Jordan, Ph.D., who brings nearly two decades of higher education experience from Lamar's College of Education and Human Development.

"We have a very exciting year ahead of us," Thibodeaux said. "We will continue many of our student-centered programs and start a few more, ranging from robust scholarships to new leadership opportunities. As always, we look forward to connecting with our students, alumni and community."

To learn more about the Reaud Honors College at Lamar University, visit www.lamar.edu/honors.