For Kent State Honors College senior Lexi Moses (they/them), storytelling isn’t just an academic pursuit—it’s a lifelong passion and a vehicle for advocacy. As the 2024-2025 recipient of the Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship, Lexi, a double major in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies, embodies the scholarship’s mission to financially support students with intellectual curiosity while also reflecting some of the academic and creative interests of Professor Howard. With a deep dedication to equity and inclusion, Lexi’s academic journey has been as inspiring as it is interdisciplinary, blending a love of literature with a drive for social change.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Lexi attended Reynoldsburg City Schools, where they seized the opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree in English through the College Credit Plus program at Columbus State Community College. Reflecting on this early start to their academic path, Lexi said, “I’ve always loved the English language and writing. I’ve been a storyteller ever since I was young, and English allows me to explore that passion and express my thoughts.” In their studies, Lexi delves deeply into African American literature and history, exploring stories that offer new perspectives on the past. “English was definitely the happy medium for me of a subject I enjoy doing, and a subject that I am good at doing,” Lexi shared.
The recent addition of a Gender and Sexuality Studies major at Kent State was an exciting development for Lexi, who had previously been minoring in LGBTQ+ Studies. Lexi’s academic interests and advocacy aligned perfectly with the new program, making the transition to a double major a natural choice. “I love Gender and Sexuality Studies because I’m big on advocating for equitable rights and human experiences,” Lexi explains. They find that the major allows them to explore a variety of fields, from biology to sociology, and bring these insights into their writing and activism. “Studying soft sciences such as biology, ecology, psychology, sociology and anthropology holistically informs my approaches to how and what I write about within academia, while also helping me make sense of my own day-to-day experiences,” they added.
Receiving the Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship has been a transformative experience for Lexi, providing not only recognition but crucial financial support as they prepare for life after graduation. “Receiving this scholarship allows me to think about the future rather than stress about the present,” Lexi shared. With their sights set on graduate school and a career in museum curation, the scholarship gives them the peace of mind to focus on their goals. They express profound gratitude to the donors who make the scholarship possible, saying, “Donations to scholarships like these give students like me an opportunity to continue studying worry-free about tuition.”
Lexi joined the Honors College at Kent State primarily for financial support, but they’ve since found many other benefits. The Honors College experiences have allowed Lexi to deepen their studies through collaborative research and individualized projects. Lexi is currently engaged in an Honors Research Experience focusing on anti-racist pedagogy in university writing centers, under the mentorship of faculty advisor Jeanne Smith. Completing this 150-hour project reflects Lexi’s commitment to equity in education, as they work to develop a framework that challenges traditional notions of “correctness” and confronts racist rhetoric. “Being part of the Honors College really pushes me to go above and beyond with my studies,” Lexi remarked.
Lexi plans to graduate in spring 2025 and pursue Library and Information Science graduate program studies in fields such as archival and museum studies, African American studies, anthropology programs and history programs. They are passionate about preserving and presenting African American history, art, and culture, hoping to one day curate exhibits in museum spaces. Lexi’s interests extend beyond academia; they are also considering a career in sexuality education and victim advocacy.
Outside of their studies, Lexi is active on Kent State’s Overwatch 2 eSports team, where they play on scholarship as the team’s main support. They also enjoy PC gaming and building, collecting/selling Littlest Pet Shop toys, and attending biannual vintage toy shows. A marine life enthusiast, Lexi has a special affinity for stingrays and collects stingray memorabilia. They also work on campus at Kent State’s Writing Commons as a consultant and mentor, where they help other students grow as writers and question traditional standards in writing practices.
Lexi Moses exemplifies the impact of scholarship on a student’s journey, allowing them to focus on their goals and contribute meaningfully to their community. Their commitment to storytelling, equity, and academic excellence underscores the importance of support for students who are not only dedicated to their studies but to making a difference. As they look forward to graduation and beyond, Lexi serves as a shining example of how financial and academic support can empower students to lead with purpose and passion.
The Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship, dedicated in memory of Professor Howard, is endowed by family, friends, alumni, fellow Honors College and Department of English staff, and those who wish to contribute to her memory. Howard was a professor of English for more than 20 years at Kent State University. She was also a well-respected member of the Honors College community, having taught Freshman Honors Colloquium (FHC) courses, served on the Honors College Policy Council, advised many honors thesis writers and received the 2016 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award. To support Kent State University Honors College students in Professor Howard’s memory, please visit the Dr. Elizabeth Howard Memorial Honors Scholarship Giving webpage.
Please contact the Honors College at honors@kent.edu with any questions.
###
HEADER PHOTO CAPTION: Lexi Moses sits for a photo with hallway in distance. Photo courtesy of Amin Clutter.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312