Ball State University Spring 2021 graduate Karleigh
Conner, of Maineville, Ohio, has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in
recognition of her accomplishments in academics, athletics, extracurricular
activities, and community service.
A member of Ball State’s track and field
and cross
country teams, Ms. Conner was one of only 21 female Spring sport
athletes nationwide to receive this $10,000 scholarship.
“For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a school
psychologist,” Ms. Conner said. “With the help from the NCAA Postgraduate
Scholarship, I will be able to spend the next two years working toward that
goal while being fully invested and committed to becoming the best student
advocate I can become. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my
education in graduate school and learn all that I can about supporting students
with disabilities.”
Ms. Conner completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychological
Science, with minors in Spanish, Interpersonal Relations, Psychology of
Human Development, and Autism Spectrum Disorders from Ball State—graduating summa
cum laude. She has begun the second year of Ball State’s combined Master
of Arts/Specialist in Education in School Psychology program. Ms. Conner
plans to become a school psychologist, with the eventual goal of becoming
director of special education for a school district.
As a student at Ball State, Ms. Conner has dedicated more
than 1,000 hours to serving and leading others through various organizations, including
Training U Farther & Faster (TUFF) Camp in Ohio, Fellowship of Christian
Athletes/Athletes in Action, and Ball State’s Student Athlete Advisory
Committee, among others.
As a long-distance runner,
Ms. Conner holds the fourth-fastest time in Ball State’s record books for the
outdoor 800m. She was named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference (MAC)
team three times each in track and cross country.