Rogers State University senior Kira Carter is the epitome of “excellence.”
Since starting at RSU, the Lawton native has made her mark on the Hill, as a member of Alphi Chi National College Honor Society, the Pre-Professional Health Club, and the founder of the student organization “Brothers and Sisters of Excellence.”
“When I came to RSU my freshman year (in 2019), I struggled a bit to make community and to have a really, really good support system,” Carter said. “The Honors Program is amazing and gives you lots of opportunities, but I didn’t feel like I made the connections I was expecting, so I thought I would create one myself — a safe space for students, specifically Black students, but one with an emphasis on inclusiveness, so I created the Brothers and Sisters of Excellence.”
Brothers and Sisters of Excellence (BSE) is designed to be a community for all students, Carter said, with the mission to enhance the lives of Black students and those seeking a culturally diverse college experience.
“The organization promotes diversity, including through small groups, events and community involvement, acknowledging RSU’s Black students while also promoting inclusiveness for everyone,” she said. “It was the first Black student organization in about ten years, I think, and it felt good to have been instrumental in bringing one back to Rogers State.”
As Carter continued working towards her major, in the summer of 2022 she went to Washington, D.C., for an internship at the U.S. Department of Education.
“Last summer, I was wanting to better understand the policies that go into making the healthcare system what it is, so I ended up at the Department of Education as a budget service intern,” she said. “It was nothing medical – it was very different than what I expected, but I learned a lot. It was interesting to see the education aspect of things and where and how the budget comes into it. I got to see a lot of the COVID-related funding and how that was processed, how different funds are allocated and the different funds people can apply for to raise money for their schools.
“Plus, there were aspects of diversity and inclusion, which I’m very passionate about,” she added.
Carter is slated to graduate this spring with her B.S. in molecular biology, after which, she said will be looking into potential medical school programs.
“I like osteopathy. I really like the more holistic approach, understanding that the body, mind and spirit are connected is really important,” she said. “Seeing how everything is connected is really cool to me, plus, I may look into psychiatry as well, although I’m not sure where that may lead me.”
Carter said her time at Rogers State University has helped prepare her for the challenges that lie ahead.
“I feel like RSU has been very good to me. I’ve been challenged here, and that’s good,” she said. “The professors I’ve had have been very supportive. You can always ask them questions about anything you have and talk to them directly. That’s something you wouldn’t get at a lot of other, larger universities. The smaller class sizes really make for a more intimate, better learning environment, for sure.”
RSU’s Honors Program provides an atmosphere where the best and brightest scholars, such as Carter, can challenge themselves academically and maximize their college experience. The Honors Program offers a four-year scholarship package that covers tuition, fees, books, on-campus housing and a meal plan.
For more information about RSU’s Honors Program, visit www.rsu.edu/honors.
For more information about Brothers and Sisters of Excellence, contact BSE advisor Dr. Juliet Evusa, professor of communications and assistant director of academic enrichment, at [email protected].