A Look Back at the 2026 AES Celebration of Excellence |
A Look Back at the 2026 AES Celebration of Excellence
There were a lot of smiles, cheers and plenty of photos taken last month at the 9th annual Celebration of Excellence program hosted by the Division of Access, Engagement, and Success. Vice President and Associate Provost, Keith Jenkins started the program sharing good news on student success.
It was a great evening with entertainment by the RIT Hip Hop Collective and Japanese drumming thanks to RIT’s Wadaiko group!
He also recognized several individuals who have been outstanding partners to AES: Mrs. Cassandra Jordan, with the Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Treasurer, James Watters and NTID’s first Professor of Practice, Thomas Warfield.
The Faculty Beacon Award was presented to Kofi Bazzell-Smith, Future Faculty Fellow and Adjunct in the College of Art and Design. Shantel Richardson, Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS), received the Staff Beacon Award. In honor of his philanthropic work, the Alumni Beacon Award was presented to Terrelle Carswell a 1999 RIT graduate, now a managing director at Bank of America in Charlotte, NC.
Three students received the Student Beacon Award for outstanding leadership and for their efforts in fostering a welcoming community: Kifekachukwu Nwosu, Kierstin Delk and Angelina Myles.
Demarley Barret was selected by his peers in Men of Character, Honor and Ambition as the 2026 MOCHA of the Year and members of Women of Character, Honor, and Ambition honored Alia Ulanbek-Kyzy as the 2026 WOCHA of the Year.
From the ALANA Collegiate Association: The ALANA Impact Award went to the Computing Organization for Multicultural Students (COMS). The 2026 Affiliate Collaboration Award was presented to the Caribbean Student Association and Natasha House, with the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education received the ALANA Staff/Faculty of the Year Award. In addition, the ALANA Culture Award was presented to the League of Curly Haired Students (LOCS) and the Muslim Student Association(MSA)received the ALANA Community Award. The Global Union Affiliate of the Year Award was presented to the Caribbean Student Association and the group honored Trinity Passion with the Oluwaseyi Onifade Community and Compassion Award.