2024 Award Recipients

Being a mentor to students is one of the roles I am most proud of. It allows me to work with extraordinary students from different backgrounds as they navigate college.

Throughout my time at OHIO, my leadership has been marked by a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community. My aim was to assist my peers in navigating the campus and its resources, with a particular emphasis on supporting LGBTQ individuals and other minority and People of Color (PoC) students.

I’ve collaborated with peers to implement crucial health and wellness resources across campus, including free contraception, emergency Narcan kits, and monthly HIV and STD testing.

In essence, my leadership within the OHIO community is characterized by a dedication to inclusivity and education. I firmly believe that positive change can occur at various levels, from addressing global challenges to fostering understanding and empathy among peers.

I have been a campus recreation employee since I was a freshman here at Ohio University. I want to hear people when they speak, I inquire to know, my interest is in how people are actually doing.

One of the many ways I exemplify leadership here at OHIO is through my position as a Resident Advisor in Housing and Residence Life. My initiative to hold a position with Housing and Residence Life stems from my genuine commitment to community-building, the values of Ohio University, and the Bobcat Living Experience.

Through these involvements, I've aimed to positively impact the OHIO community by fostering community spirit and contributing to collaborative initiatives. Specifically, my work has introduced new learning tools and perspectives, not only within the university but also in the broader surrounding community.

As the president of the Epsilon Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Vice President of Ebony Minds, I am dedicated to fostering positive relationships in my community and uplifting others.

I believe I am the ideal candidate for the awards selected because I have demonstrated in my three years in student senate a level of commitment to improving my community around me. By creating multiple organizations, events, and opportunities for students to get involved, I believe I have empowered those who are interested in environmentalism to want to make a difference at Ohio University.

I have been involved in many different ways at Ohio University and the impact of my leadership does not go unnoticed. I have been able to promote resources for voting education / readiness and have recently created an allocation within Student Senate to allocate 8% of our funding to the Basic Needs Office. By creating multiple organizations, events, and opportunities for students to get involved, I believe I have empowered those who are interested in environmentalism to want to make a difference at Ohio University.

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The events, meetings, and discussion points that my executive team and I facilitated have helped educate students on how to live sustainably, prioritize service in their lives, and create an inclusive and equitable community where everyone is capable of doing something good. It brings me immense pride to look at the community we've helped create, and I can't wait to keep these tenants going for the rest of my life.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ Commission, I worked to foster inclusivity and awareness on campus, advocating for the rights and representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Whether someone needs assistance with event communications or is grappling with personal issues, I am committed to being a compassionate listener and problem-solver.

Through my leadership at OHIO, I've been dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where minority students can flourish. I amplify the voices of marginalized groups and advocate for policies that prioritize inclusivity, striving to cultivate an environment where diversity is celebrated and embraced.

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I have been dedicated to effective student advocacy and embraced leadership positions as opportunities for experiential learning throughout my entire undergraduate experience. During the last three academic years, I served as the Academic Affairs Commissioner of the Student Senate, adopting a wellbeing-first perspective, advocating for more inclusive policies for students with disabilities and mental health difficulties, and serving as a representative of student opinion on the University Curriculum Council and the President's Dynamic Strategies group.

I’m most proud of helping students through difficult times. Since I’m an employee of the LGBT Center I’ve helped my peers through tough situations and I listen to their stories.

A fond memory I have that I think has impacted the community was when an opportunity presented itself to our organization to get featured on a campus magazine. To showcase different Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities where models wore their respective cultural clothing. I feel as though the OHIO community extends further than the students enrolled on campus and so it was an honor to be a part of a way to make our small but mighty community more visible.

Through my leadership role at Jefferson Market, I was able to bring a community I am a part of into the spotlight. I aided in the organization of cultural events at Jefferson Market on the back end, providing the Ohio University community with opportunities to experience and embrace new cultures.

I have consistently served in OHIO to support community-based health work in areas of programming, planning, communications, research, evaluation and technical assistance.

It is through this opportunity that my leadership skills have been challenged to encourage, motivate, and uplift students of diverse backgrounds throughout their transitions to OHIO.

During my four years at Ohio University, I have made many meaningful impacts on the OHIO community. As a RA for two years, I played a pivotal role in creating a positive living environment, addressing concerns, and fostering a sense of community.

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My leadership in advocating for inclusive changes, such as renaming my commission within student senate to LGBTQIA+ and working towards transforming the LGBT resource center into the PRIDE center, has aimed to ensure representation and a welcoming environment for everyone in the OHIO community.

I am a peer coach on campus with my expertise in mock interviews, resumes, and providing both academic and career guidance to students. The position allows me to directly assist hundreds of my peers whilst simultaneously improving my leadership skills.

I am the ideal candidate for this award because I show leadership through action. When I see a way to improve the community, I will act upon it. Since arriving at OU, I have been diligently working to cultivate string music education in the area through my instruction with Athens Community Music School and by building OU's first chapter of ASTA.

My leadership has contributed to the OHIO community through both trying to tackle some pretty large problems, but also just advocating for the everyday student. I have shown that it is possible for students to make real, and large, change on their campus, through the founding of The Period Project.

During this year one of my biggest leadership qualities was being able to use my voice. As a supervisor one of my goals was to lead by example.

My varied leadership roles at OHIO signify a dedicated effort to positively impact the community. As the Fall 2023 president of the Delta Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I helped initiate programs focusing on sisterhood and service.

As a Latina, I sought out organizations that uphold the importance of my culture and other Latine's cultures. My leadership has made others feel more welcome at OHIO. During general body meetings of Latino Student Union I try my best to talk to all of the members and make them feel like they belong.

My strive to solve global socio-political issues is a perpetual one. While I contribute in the tiny steps to eradicate gender inequality, racism and tackle the harms of climate change, I have had the absolute honor of finding a community of friends that is just as passionate about healing the world around us as me.

My leadership journey at Ohio University reflects a deep-seated commitment to leveraging innovation and community service to forge a sustainable, inclusive future.

My leadership journey at OHIO has been marked by a commitment to fostering inclusivity, empathy, and positive change. By fostering a sense of belonging, empathy, and advocacy, I've worked to contribute positively to the OHIO community.

What started as organizing food drives for families in need quickly spiraled into student advocacy and a desire to improve the common good. By being a better friend, member, and leader, I work to make OHIO more inclusive and uplift others.

Some of my work for the Ohio community includes supporting international students for their smooth and easy transition when they first arrive, being a mentor to undergrad students, and helping them achieve and excel in their academic pursuits.

I think being a leader is different than being a boss, in that a leader is a part of the team, not simply directing it. This is what my leadership has looked like. While working in the Veterans Center and representing the veterans in the Student Senate I have continually been a teammate with other veterans to conquer our shared goals.

It is a privilege to be an Appalachian scholar at Ohio University, as the provided support encourages me to remain fiercely devoted and expressive of my culture. Appalachians face a stereotype characterizing us as ‘uneducated,’ ‘socially inept,’ or ‘academically incapable.’ This narrative inspirationally fuels my effort as an academic, an advocate, and a community member.

I pride myself on the work I have done to draw attention to reproductive justice, the negative treatment of incarcerated people, and higher education issues related to the Black community.

Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) is an organization with a mission and values centered around reproductive justice, inclusivity, and advocacy for comprehensive reproductive healthcare.

The Black Student Cultural Programming Board was established in 1974. Our mission is "Empowerment through Cultural Awareness" and that is the principle we stand by. We strive to host major programming events for students at Ohio University.

The mission of the Student Senate is to represent the student body, advocate for their diverse needs, and facilitate positive change within the university community. Our vision is to create an inclusive and equitable campus environment that fosters academic success, personal growth, and community engagement.

The All-Campus Radio Network (ACRN Media) is a student-run radio station at Ohio University. Founded in 1971, ACRN Media has evolved over the past 45-plus years into a comprehensive media hub. We produce a wide range of content, including visual, editorial, and audio, in addition to our radio and live music shows.

The Ohio Student Anthropology Society is a student organization dedicated to facilitating career-oriented events as well as fostering connections within students of Anthropology.