McNeese Senior APCA Regional Student of the Year

McNeese State University senior, Kayla Warner, is a finalist among students from across the country for the National Student of the Year Award after receiving the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) South Central Regional Student of the Year Award. 

Warner, from Houston, Texas, is a senior health and human performance major with a minor in chemistry. 

The APCA promotes campus engagement through quality educational experiences, affordable entertainment and community service initiatives. 

The South Central Student of the Year Award is open to students from all colleges and universities in the South Central region of the country. Warner was the chosen recipient of this award at the annual APCA Regional Conference in Houston, Texas in October.  

Warner joined the McNeese Student Life Coalition three years ago and currently serves as Fall Director. 

“As Fall Director of Student Life Coalition, I am responsible for coordinating and leading all the events that we host in the fall semester,” Warner explained.  

Warner first volunteered to conduct homecoming activities with the Student Life Coalition during her sophomore year.  

“After that, I applied to become a coordinator for the upcoming academic school year. I have been a coordinator ever since,” Warner said.  

Warner is also a student-athlete. She manages to balance her busy schedule with the help of her coaches and the Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Leadership. 

After she graduates from McNeese, Warner plans on pursuing a postgraduate degree and working in orthopedic medicine. She credits her experience with the Student Life Coalition as having prepared her for her future plans. 

“Because of my experience with the Student Life Coalition, I am able to enter every room with confidence and network with anyone I meet,” Warner said. “It allowed me to work on my interpersonal skills that will be very effective when working in the medical field.” 

Warner encourages students to go to events hosted on campus to get involved in any organization they are interested in.  

“The people I’ve met on campus have helped me overcome the obstacles that I have encountered.”  

Warner moves on as a finalist for the National Student of the Year award which will be given out at the APCA National Conference in the spring. 

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