Two Mars Hill University Students Named Snelson Scholars for Spring 2021

November 4, 2020

Nia Cook of Weaverville, North Carolina, and Jackson Courson of Palm Coast, Florida, have been selected as Snelson Presidential Scholars for the spring 2021 semester at Mars Hill University. As part of their scholarships, Cook and Courson will serve as interns in the office of MHU President Tony Floyd.

“These two students were highly recommended by faculty,” said Floyd. “They both are not only academically gifted, but also well-rounded and active in different parts of the university. I’m looking forward to working with them in the spring semester as we work together to strengthen Mars Hill University. This prestigious internship really helps me to connect with students and to understand the students’ point of view on our campus.”

Cook is a senior, double-majoring in business administration and social work. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in either social work or public affairs, and hopes to make her career in nonprofit management and policy work.

Courson also is a senior business administration major, and a member of the men’s lacrosse team. After graduation, he plans to stay at Mars Hill to obtain his master of management degree. He has hopes of playing professional lacrosse and plans to enter the corporate world when his athletic career is over.

The Frances M. Snelson Presidential Scholarship provides a stipend for two upper-level students from the business administration department to assist in the president’s office. It was endowed in 1998 through a gift from the late J. Platt and Kitty Turner to honor Miss Frances Snelson, who served as assistant to three Mars Hill presidents in her 47 years at the university, then known as Mars Hill College.