Student Life Awards

Congratulations to our 2023 award winners!

Dozens of Rochester Institute of Technology students were awarded Community Impact Award scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 for leadership, making improvements to the campus, or being involved in club activities.

The awards are a way to recognize and appreciate the “change makers” on the RIT campus.

“We are proud to celebrate the work students have exhibited throughout the year participating in community service and leadership opportunities,” said Kareem Hayes, assistant director for leadership at RIT’s Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.

The awards are administered or selected by the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement unless otherwise mentioned.

Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, given to students who have demonstrated significant effort toward the improvement and quality of campus, and administered by Financial Aid:

• Daniel Aisogun, a third-year biomedical sciences major
• Keira Carrington, a fourth-year cybersecurity major
• Justine Fournier, a third-year physicians assistant major
• Alecia Hart, a third-year exercise science major
• Mindy Jin, a third-year illustration major
• Darcie Jones, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major
• Aisha Khalid, a third-year computing information technologies major 
• Cindy Lam, a fourth-year physicians assistant BS/MS major
• Andrew Le, a second-year computer science major
• Kiley McNeil, a first-year civil engineering technology major
• Nolan Merritt, a third-year new media design major
• Katelyn Moran-Pearlman, a second-year advertising & public relations major
• Maggie Muldoon, a third-year environmental science major
• Buyi Owo-Odusi,  a second-year biomedical sciences major
• Darnae Pauley, a third-year criminal justice major
• Daijya Robinson, a second-year game design major 
• Morrgan Rosenberg, a third-year SOIS major
• Onvida Serixay, a first-year computer engineering technology major
• Aby Tiet, a fourth-year software engineering major
• Christian Waldschmidt,  a third-year biomedical engineering major

Alpha Phi Omega Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students who have demonstrated that service to the RIT community is a personal commitment and an integral part of their university experience:

• Makenzie Dorsey, a third-year computer science major
• Ben Stuhr, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major

Frederick Douglass Scholarship, awarded to ALANA students who have demonstrated leadership, campus citizenship and community service, administered by Multicultural Center for Academic Success.

• Aedan Frank, a third-year game design development & psychology major
• Tahaara Gazali, a second-year biomedical sciences major
• Cindy Lam, a fourth-year physicians assistant BS/MS major
• Victoria Newson, a first-year international studies major

Susan Willoughby, Lanette Moore and Cheryl Bulls Scholarship, awarded to AALANA students who have demonstrated leadership in student groups and/or community activities:

• Keira Carrington, a fourth-year cybersecurity major

Walls Olson Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students active in at least two major student activities:

• Keira Carrington, a fourth-year cybersecurity major
• Olivia Dennehy, a third-year human-centered computing major
• Daijya Robinson, a second-year game design major 
• Elissa Sainthil, a second-year microelectronic engineering major

Joseph T. Ferraro Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students in good academic standing who have demonstrated an interest in and ability to build bridges among people of diverse backgrounds, selected by Spirituality and Religious Life:

• Daniel Aisogun, a third-year biomedical sciences major
• Maddie Tlachac, a third-year environmental sustainability, health and safety BS and environmental health and safety management MS major

RIT Student Leadership Fund, awarded to students who have demonstrated significant and unique contributions towards the improvement and quality of campus life, tradition, pride, and spirit at RIT:

• Maggie Muldoon, a third-year environmental science major
• Maddie Tlachac, a third-year environmental sustainability, health and safety BS and environmental health and safety management MS major

Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate an understanding of diversity and contribute to inclusive efforts, selected by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion:

• Cindy Lam, a fourth-year physicians assistant BS/MS major
• Jessie Shelton, a first-year management information systems major

H. Preston Herring Award, awarded to a Resident Advisor that has balanced their responsibilities within and outside the role and made personal efforts to provide a unique and significant contribution to the Center for Residence Life:

• Rafi Karim, a fifth-year biomedical engineering major

RIT has honored students with this award since 1964, recognizing students who balance academic success and student engagement. Students selected for this honor have GPAs over 3.4 and hold significant leadership positions within RIT-related activities. All award recipients are graduating in 2023.

Excellence in Student Life Award Recipients:

• Maryalice Ball, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Nicole Birnbaum, National Technical Institute for the Deaf
• Charlotte Bischof, College of Art and Design
• Ann Byerley, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Giovanna Caruso, College of Art and Design
• Teodora Grozdanic, RIT Croatia/Saunders College of Business
• Cara Guernsey, College of Liberal Arts
• Dea Kabashi, RIT Kosovo/School of Individualized Study
• Anna Kasper, College of Science
• Rachel Kogut, College of Art and Design
• Serina Lin, College of Art and Design
• Shane Lockhoof, College of Liberal Arts
• Alissa Mann, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Ben Ocamb, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Sinclaire Ogof, College of Liberal Arts
• Dami Ogunkale, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Supreeta Olivera, RIT Dubai/Saunders College of Business
• Gabby Orfanides, College of Science
• Michael Penna, Saunders College of Business
• Michael Perez-Gelinas, College of Art and Design
• David Prichett, College of Science
• Ibrahim Qureshi, RIT Dubai/Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Grace Reinartz, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Cameron Villone, Kate Gleason College of Engineering
• Griffin Warntz, College of Engineering Technology

This award, sponsored by Campus Life, is presented to students who have shown great leadership and are leaving a legacy behind at RIT or in the Rochester community. All applicants must identify as a woman or non-binary to qualify, and they must be graduating in 2023.

Legacy Leader Award recipients:

• Bridget Dehond, a management information systems major
• Rylee Demonteverde, a mechanical engineering major
• Eileen Figueroa, an electrical engineering technology and applied modern language and culture double major
• Samantha Gensler, an interior design major
• Holland Gillis, a film and animation major
• Anna Kasper, a biology major
• Taylor Kozak, a secondary education for students who are deaf or hard of hearing MS major
• Zoe LaLena, an imaging science major
• Serina Lin, a graphic design major
• Christina Nguyen, an electrical engineering major
• Sinclaire Ogof, a public policy major
• Jesse Phelps, a physician assistant major
• Kavitha Rajkumar, an accounting major
• Salomi Rao, a computing security major
• Grace Reinartz, a biomedical engineering major
• Irisa Shala, an RIT Kosovo student. majoring in web and mobile computing (IT) and management and entrepreneurship 
• Nuha Syed, a game design and development major
• Renee Veit, a computer science major
• Lauren Zeglen, a biomedical engineering major