Join us in recognizing some of the top Kennedy Center students of the class of 2025. We'll be highlighting some of our valedictorians to hear about their experiences at BYU.
Alyse Frogley, originally from Meridian, Idaho, is our 2025 valedictorian for the American Studies program. Frogley currently works for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation in Washington, D.C., and plans to stay for another year before applying to law school this coming cycle. Long-term, she hope to work in a legal role that combines advocacy, policy, and helping people rise and rebuild their lives after defining moments of devastation.
What drew you to your program?
I once looked up what Elder Holland studied and saw he had a master’s in American Studies. I had never heard of the major before, but when I found out BYU offered it—and that it was interdisciplinary and flexible—it just made sense. It felt like it was made just for me. I scrolled down the catalog list of accepted classes and was dying to take almost every single one. I switched majors from there, and honestly, it was one of the best things I did during college. The Kennedy Center was a huge part of that. It is a hidden gem on campus that I feel honored to be a part of: packed with brilliant, generous professors who care as much about building your character as they do your intellect.
What were your favorite classes?
It’s basically impossible to choose—American Studies let me curate my entire schedule like a liberal arts buffet. As an American Studies major, I got to build a curriculum around my own curiosity and interests—I took the classes I loved and left little room for anything else. But Modern American Political Thought (POLI 366) with Professor Karpowitz stands apart the most. That course traced the arc of our nation’s ideals—who we've been, how we’ve changed, and who we still hope to become. It challenged me to hold both my belief in the American Dream and the sobering truth that it has never truly been realized—especially not for everyone. But instead of disillusionment, it gave me deeper resolve for political engagement. It taught me that real patriotism isn’t performative or piecemeal. It’s principled, demanding, and, yes, even hopeful. It’s not just about what you fight for, but how you fight—whether you build bridges or burn them. Reading Letter from Birmingham Jail in that class didn’t just shift my thinking; it altered the kind of citizen—and future lawyer—I hope to become: one who leads with conviction, compassion, and a belief that justice must always be accompanied by grace. I’m so grateful I had the chance to return as a TA for this class—to keep learning from Professor Karpowitz’s wisdom and steady spirit all the way to the end.
Were there any professors that made an impact on you?
I cried on the last day of Russian Literature with Professor Michael Kelly. That probably says enough. I’ve taken every class he offers in English, and if I knew Russian, I’d take the rest. This past semester, his Dostoevsky course may have been my favorite. Dr. Kelly has left a profound mark on my life—not just for what he teaches, but for how he lives. He quietly embodies the very ideals Dostoevsky urges us to pursue: compassion without limits, integrity without exception, and a relentless search for truth. Watching him live those principles made them feel not only profound, but possible. Dr. Kelly gave me hope that the pursuit of goodness isn’t naïve—it’s necessary, and it can be done. He made me believe that the ideals Dostoevsky writes about—redemption, humility, spiritual freedom—are actually possible to live. Leaving his classroom felt like being handed the baton. Now it’s time to answer with my own life for what I have experienced and understood within the walls of his classroom.
Did you participate in any study abroad programs?
Yes, and I would recommend it to everyone. Going to the BYU Jerusalem Center was hands-down one of the best decisions I made in college. I walked where Jesus walked, made lifelong friends, and experienced a kind of spiritual community that felt like Zion. It was also intellectually enriching—I gained a much deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and left with a renewed commitment to empathy, peacebuilding, and the dignity of every human being. It shaped both my scholarship and my soul. If you have the chance to go, don’t think twice.
To those who are considering your program, what would you say?
If you hate having the best time of your life, forming real friendships, getting personalized mentorship, and being handed more opportunities than you know what to do with—American Studies probably isn’t for you. For me, it was the most rewarding part of my BYU experience. I served on the student council, edited the Americana student journal, knew my classmates by name, and shared warm, memorable evenings at the program director’s home with his family. As a Poli Sci major, I often felt swallowed up by the sheer number of students, letting the overwhelm demotivate me from getting involved. But American Studies gave me space to be seen—to step forward, speak up, and shine. It allowed me to explore most, if not all, of the things I cared about. It’s a major that rewards curiosity. The community is small and tight-knit, and it made a big campus feel personal. Like it was built just for me.
However, to any student, in any major I would still say: get involved. Say yes. Be a TA. Go on that study abroad. Work with professors, learn from your peers, and don’t be afraid to ask for mentorship. Most professors are more willing than you’d think—they’re just waiting for you to reach out. Step into the light, not because someone told you to, but because you’ve earned your place there. This is your time! Don’t let it pass quietly.