INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  – MacKenzie Willis, former volleyball player at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has earned an NCAA Division II Degree-Completion Award for 2009-10.
 
The Degree-Completion Award program provides financial assistance to deserving student-athletes for the completion of their first baccalaureate degree. Willis earns the first ever award given to a UAM student-athlete.
 
The Andrew, Texas native is a two-time selection to both the GSC All-Academic Team and the GSC Honor Roll and has held a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average in her two years at UAM. She is set to complete her degree in the upcoming academic year with a double major of chemistry and mathematics.
 
“The number of students who have never made a B is very small,” said head volleyball coach Nicole Smith, who also serves as senior woman administrator. “The entire athletics department knows she is an exceptional student-athlete, and we are all proud of her… Her dedication in the classroom and on the court is paying off.”  
 
Prior to transferring to UAM, Willis was the president of the Vernon College (Texas) student body and was selected to the NAIA Division I All-Academic Team. She was named to the President’s list in both 2006 and 2007 and earned an associate’s degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
 
On the court, Willis played in 67 matches in her two seasons (2007-08) as a Cotton Blossom. She finished her career with 289 kills, 38 assists, 33 service aces and 49 total blocks. She currently stands fifth all-time at UAM for digs in a career and fourth for matches played.
 
This year, the NCAA Division II Degree-Completion Committee awarded 82 student-athletes from 58 different institutions.
 
Since the program’s inception in 2001, the NCAA estimates over $2 million has been awarded to over 600 student-athletes. Of those awarded, 93 percent have earned their undergraduate degree using this program.