Student Life Awards

Community Impact Awards are presented to undergraduate students who are recognized as “change-makers” on the RIT campus. Awardees are selected based on their engagement in and contributions to the RIT community. Various scholarships are available, ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Learn more about the various awards and eligibility requirements

Since 1964, Excellence in Student Life Awards have honored undergraduate students who balance academic success and engagement. Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher are invited to apply for this award and must demonstrate significant leadership in RIT-related activities.

Legacy Leader Awards recognize graduating students who have used their leadership roles to amplify the success of women and nonbinary individuals, leaving a lasting impact at RIT or in the greater Rochester community.

Community Impact Award scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 for leadership, making improvements to the campus, or being involved in club activities. These awards are a way to recognize and appreciate the “change makers” on the RIT campus. The awards are administered or selected by the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement unless otherwise mentioned.

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

• Achol Aroman
• Anindita Bhowmik
• Jenna Kwan
• Aamir Sohail 

RIT Memorial Scholarship

• Afia Bidica
• Hannah Sitzer

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:

• Mimi Takeishi

RIT Student Leadership Award

• Leah Kvares

• Victoria Newson

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:

• Macca Abdi
• Martina Alvez
• Vincent Chen
• Joshua Derosier
• Denzil Gyimah
• Chaynj Jason
• Suprina Kabadkar
• Anika Khanam
• Breanna Litviak
• Noelle Manzo-Pietrefesa
• Kifekachukwu Nwosu
• Tasnia Tabassum
• Christopher West

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:

• Zoe Levin
• Christabel Osei

Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students in recognition of their leadership and service that made meaningful contributions to strengthening access, engagement, and success at RIT. Recipients are selected by the Division of Access, Engagement, and Success.

• Achol Aroman, upper class recipient
• Angelina Myles, upper class recipient

Excellence in Student Life Awards have honored undergraduate students who balance academic success and engagement. Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher are invited to apply for this award and must demonstrate significant leadership in RIT-related activities.

2026 Recipients:

• Vernon Agusaj
• Eric Antonecchia
• Maggie Birmingham
• Ericka Chen
• Melanie Couillard
• Makenna Davis
• Kierstin Delk
• Amber Flynn
• Caitlyn Gantert
• Olivia Gauthier
• Moshana Green
• TJ Hampton
• Dylan Harvey
• Will Hoover
• Riley Howard
• Madeline Johnston
• Yasmin Khan
• Orest Kisi (RIT Croatia)
• Emma Kobelia
• Antonia Kurtovic (RIT Croatia)
• Antonella Lombardo
• Tyler Mahan
• Gabrielle Mitchell
• Alaina Mupparthi
• Tomo Naglic (RIT Croatia)
• Justeena Paulson
• Cassidy Potter
• Leah Robinson
• Shahd Salahat (RIT Dubai)
• Ellen Shepard
• RG Striffler
• Claire Virnoche
• Charles Von Goins
• Olivia Wong

Legacy Leader Awards, sponsored by the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center, recognize graduating students who have used their leadership roles to amplify the success of women and nonbinary individuals, leaving a lasting impact at RIT or in the greater Rochester community.


2026 Recipients:

• Angelis Cordero
• Talayeh Delis
• Trishelle Hoopes
• Maya Kaul
• Leonela Krajac (RIT Croatia)
• Viola Maksuti
• Lianna Pottgen
• Daijya Robinson
• Elissa Sainthil
• Veran Stanek
• Vlera Zeqiri (RIT Kosovo)

This award recognizes international students who have made special contributions to life at RIT and the greater Rochester community, including superior service and effort in academics, student clubs and organizations, and external community groups. Full-time undergraduate and graduate international students at RIT’s main campus are eligible for this award.

2026 Recipients:

• Kiki Ajayi
• Fernando Diaz
• Paul Ezeamii
• Mobassirul Karim Faraz
• Jose Nazareno Gabriel Macalintal
• Gabriela Martinez
• Faria Sultana
• Reetu Thimmaiah