SSU’s Education Major Earns Second Mile Award

Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D. and Tre'na Monique Brown 

SSU’s Education Major Earns Second Mile Award 

Savannah State University’s (SSU) Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D. honored graduating senior Tre’na Monique Brown with the President’s Second Mile Award during the university’s fall 2023 commencement on December 8. The award, the highest distinction given to a graduating senior, was established in 2001 to recognize students who exemplify stellar character, values, leadership and community service. 

Brown is a 2018 graduate of Greenville High School in Greenville, Ga. She received a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in mathematics and science from SSU.

During her time at Savannah State, she played several leadership and community service roles, including serving on the Student Government Association as Justice of Housing and President of the Junior class. She also served as president of the Georgia Association of Educators and Educators Rising, student-led organizations in SSU’s College of Education. She was active with Queens Without A Crown, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on empowering young women. She also served as mentor for Gear Up Georgia, a program that helps middle and high school students prepare for college.

“This young lady has experienced many challenges and great losses and still she persevered,” said President Alexander. “I’m equally impressed with what she has done during her time at SSU as I am with what she will do in the future.”

Brown, who lost two grandparents within the course of two years while at SSU, joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and served as its vice president. She also volunteered as after-school mentor with the 21^st Century community Learning Center.

She completed four internships with the Robert Noyce STEM Internship program that equips students with the necessary tools and experience to help them become better STEM teachers. In 2022 she was selected to participate in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)/Accelerated Great Schools initiative, where she was one of 45 HBCU future teachers to attend the inaugural TMCF Teacher Hire Program.

She also found the time to serve as vice president of her residence hall association.

 “I truly believe that I was born a leader with emphasis on education, empowering, inspiring and showing others the way towards success despite the obstacles that you may experience in your life,” Brown said.