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Shaelen Hudson arrived at the University of ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ from Marion, Illinois, with a love for science and crowns from hometown pageants.

Graduating this weekend with degrees in biochemistry and , Hudson has spent her time at Ole Miss blending rigorous academics with leadership, service and grace.

The student finishes her undergraduate journey with a nearly perfect grade point average and standout achievements such as raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity and planning blockbuster campus events.

It’s not just Commencement drawing closer for Hudson — she’s also preparing to compete for the 2025 Miss Illinois competition in June. With a decade of pageant participation and this year’s title of Miss Central Illinois, she’s also found beauty in embracing Ole Miss campus life.

“I’m extremely involved on and off of campus,” Hudson said. “It’s definitely been the hallmark of my college experience.”

Hudson’s service and leadership involvement is picture-perfect. She’s the executive director of the , a group charged with helping plan and promote signature campus events, such as the homecoming parade, Welcome Week and Parade of Beauties.

Similar to the pageant world, she’s held other titles at Ole Miss, including leadership roles in Alpha Delta Pi and the College Panhellenic Council, as well as various board positions for RebelTHON and memberships in prestigious honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi and Mortar Board.

Hudson also founded an initiative to fight food insecurity, helped raise more than $1 million to help children and nonprofits and accumulated dozens of volunteer hours.

“Shaelen stands out as a student leader because she is the kind of person every team needs,” said Jordan Hamill, associate director of leadership and engagement. “She brings vision, focus and futuristic thinking to everything she does and consistently devotes her time and talents to understanding not just what needs to be done today, but what can be done better tomorrow.

“Her ability to analyze information makes her a resource for strategic decisions that help move her team forward.”

Some three hundred miles away from home, Hudson is not just a familiar face among the Ole Miss student body. She’s been one of the first faces greeting new and prospective students to Oxford, welcoming thousands of students and families in her roles as an orientation leader and Ole Miss ambassador.

The repeat Chancellor’s Honor Roll student’s long-term plan includes medical school, specializing in oncology or ophthalmology. Her biggest goal is to transition into health care administration, advocating for patients and providers.

Hamill has witnessed Hudson’s drive on several SAA projects. She said Hudson’s planning and time management both fanned the flames of her success. Hamill knows Hudson is ready to be crowned University of ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ graduate.

“She’s thoughtful about where she dedicates her time, making sure it aligns with her values and where she can make the most meaningful difference,” Hamill said.

“What has impressed me most is how she manages to be both incredibly high-achieving and genuinely personable. In the midst of a highly competitive environment, Shaelen has not only excelled but also formed strong friendships, which is something that’s not easy to do and speaks to her character.”

Top: Shaelen Hudson, a biochemistry and business double major, has made her mark at the University of ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ through academic excellence, campus leadership and service — all while preparing to compete in the 2025 Miss Illinois pageant. From organizing major campus events to raising funds for charity, she’s a force of poise and purpose.

See more photos from Shaelen Hudson's Journey to Commencement