The University of South Florida has teamed up with Northwestern Mutual Teague Financial Group to spotlight the top Bulls in the classroom with the Northwestern Mutual Academic Student-Athlete of the Month award.

The sixth recipient of the Northwestern Mutual Academic Student-Athlete of the Month award is Kayla Richmond.

A political science major and a member of the Honors College Dean's List, Richmond has earned All-BIG EAST academic honors in each of her first three years with the Bulls and carries a 3.86 GPA overall, including a perfect 4.0 during the fall semester. Most recently, Richmond was admitted to the University of Miami Law School, and back in November, she was one of four nominees for the 2009 homecoming queen.

On the track, Richmond has been a consistent performer for the Bulls and recently qualified for the 2010 BIG EAST Championships in the 400-meter hurdles after competing in last year's outdoor championships. She is a 500- and 600-meter runner during the indoor season, and is also a contributor on the Bulls' 4x400 relay both indoor and outdoor, competing with the relay during the 2010 BIG EAST Indoor Championships.

Each month, the USF Academic Enrichment Center staff will choose a Bull as the Northwestern Mutual Student-Academic Athlete of the Month. Factors in the selection for this honor will be classroom success, GPA and overall academic status.