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The valedictorian for the Kentucky State University 2019 Fall Commencement Convocation plans to continue her education at the college on the Hill for her master’s degree.

Megan McCoun, an agriculture, food and environment major from Smithfield, plans to continue her education next fall at Kentucky State by pursuing a master’s in environmental studies.

McCoun said she felt excited and anxious when she found out she was valedictorian.

“I was excited that I earned such an achievement,” McCoun said. “I was anxious about the speech at commencement; my public speaking skills are a little rusty.”

McCoun served as president of the KSU Green Society for the past year; worked as an agriculture ambassador for the College of Agriculture, Communities and Environment; and served as a student board member for the Woods and Waters Land Trust in Frankfort.

McCoun has been working as a student research assistant for the College of Ag for the past two years and has really enjoyed it.

“I hope to continue conducting agriculture research here at Kentucky State,” McCoun said.

Dr. Suzette M. Polson, associate professor of chemistry, was influential in her success, McCoun said.

“Dr. Polson always held a high standard for all of her students,” McCoun said. “It made me realize that I also needed to hold a high standard for myself.”

Amy McGee, grant and administrative assistant, was also important along McCoun’s academic journey.

“Amy McGee does the most she can for all of the College of Ag students,” McCoun said. “I always knew I could count on her to get something done for me.”

McCoun said earning this accomplishment wasn’t always easy.

“It’s hard juggling both school and work and other extracurricular activities,” McCoun said. “There were plenty of times that I wanted to quit it all. But the people at Kentucky State keep me accountable. It’s hard to quit something when you are friends with all the people involved. People who I would miss seeing every day and would miss me back.”