Annual University Student Leadership Awards Program
The Annual University Awards program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of our student leaders and scholars. Through this program, we aim to acknowledge the exceptional academic performances and contributions to the University of Maryland community and surrounding neighborhoods made by our students.
Congratulations to all of the 2024-2025 award recipients and finalists!
Members of the Maryland Medallion Society and Model Citizenship Prizes/Elkins Finalists:
View recipient and finalist bios here.
University of Maryland Graduate Student Distinguished Service Award Finalists:
View recipient and finalist bios here.
Omicron Delta Kappa Awards:
View recipient and finalist bios here.
University Awards:
View recipient bios below:
Adele H. Stamp Memorial Award Recipient:
Konchok Chophel
Konchok is a first-generation college student studying Communication Studies with a minor in Asian American Studies from Rockville, MD. He works as a Human Resources Assistant and Building Manager at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union - Center for Campus Life. Chuck is passionate about student advocacy, leadership, and building inclusive communities through his involvement in campus initiatives and advisory boards. He is also the recipient of the 2025 Division of Student Affairs Outstanding Student Employee Award.
Camille K. Rajpat Memorial Award for Outstanding Member of the University Student Judiciary Recipient:
Cassie Laguerre
Cassie is a senior majoring in Accounting and Government & Politics and is from Bel Air, Maryland. They serve as a community assistant in South Commons. Cassie has been a member of USJ for 3 years, leading as Community Advocate and Training Chair. They have consistently made themself available to serve in leadership roles, provide feedback and information for staff to consider, and have always contributed positively to the organization. They have been a consummate Community Advocate, supporting and coaching newer members, and consistently fulfilling their role.
Christopher Carey Customer Service Award Recipient:
Elise Roen
Elise is a Nutrition and Dietetics major from West Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to her position with Dining Services as Student Nutritionist Supervisor, she is Community Outreach Chair for the Student Dietetics Association and a Group Fitness Instructor for UMD RecWell. Elise also serves as a Student Ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and will attend Boston University for graduate school in the Fall.
Greek Leader of the Year Award Recipient:
Jennifer Yeon
Jennifer is a senior Physiology and Neurobiology major from Westminster, MD. She is the recipient of the President's Scholarship and has been on the Dean's List for 4 years. She is also a part of Team MetaBio in the Gemstone Honors Program, where she is researching a new combinatorial treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme. She served as President of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. from the 2024-2025 school year.
James H. Kehoe and Ethel Kesler Award Recipient:
Kaylin Baumiller
Kaylin is a Bioengineering major graduating this spring and is from Elkton, MD. She is a Banneker/Key Scholar in the Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program studying Bioengineering. She has worked for RecWell for several years with the Intramural Sports program, serves as the Student Chapter President of UMD's National Biomedical Engineering Society, volunteers with Johns Hopkins Hospital and UpChieve Virtual Tutoring, and is a student researcher with multiple publications.
James Otis Williams Cultural Leadership Award Recipient:
Rhiley Jones
Rhiley is a senior government and politics major, nonprofit leadership and social innovation minor. She interned in the U.S. Senate and studied abroad in Ghana, where she taught in local schools and immersed herself in the country’s culture. Rhiley was awarded the Dr. Ulysses S. Glee Community Service Award for her leadership and service on the Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate campaign. On campus, she’s been a Nyumburu Ambassador and an active member of the Black Student Union, Student Success Leadership Council, BSOS Ambassadors, Ignite, and Terps for Change.
John B. Slaughter Outstanding Senior Award Recipient:
Afia Obeng
Afia is a senior majoring in Public Health Science with a minor in Humanities, Health, and Medicine. She currently serves as President of the African Student Association (ASA), which draws weekly attendance of approximately 250 to 300 students every Wednesday. In addition to her leadership role, Afia works as a Resident Assistant on campus. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies and work on the front lines of healthcare. Afia is also a dedicated advocate and volunteer for the Nyumburu Cultural Center. Her guiding motto: “In all things, lead with your whole heart, because that’s all we truly have to give.”
Kirwan Award Recipient:
Dhruvak Mirani
Dhruvak is a junior double majoring in Computer Science and Government and Politics - International Relations. He serves on the USM Board of Regents and previously served as Student Liaison to the College Park City Council. While at UMD, he has worked on four political campaigns, interned for a U.S. Representative, and been published in local and national publications. Dhruvak was recently elected next year’s student body president.
La Raza Unida Award Recipient:
Alexa Figueroa
Alexa, a Brentwood, Maryland native, is a senior with a double major in Spanish and Journalism. She has served the community through various forms of advocacy and elevates the voices of her community through journalism. Alexa restarted the Latinx newspaper on campus called La Voz Latina after being discontinued for 12 years.
Linda Clement Outstanding Advisor Award Recipient:
Rosemary D.L. Sutter
Rosemary serves as the Program Manager for Engagement & Outreach and the advisor for the Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) at the Alumni Association. SALC connects Terps across generations through networking events like Terps Under 30, campus traditions found in the M Book, and more.
Lorde – O’Leary Award Recipient:
Allison Li
Allison, majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as Information Science, is a first-generation college graduate, researcher, and advocate committed to equity in STEM and social sciences. She is the President of oSTEM and has been the Vice President and Professional Development Chair of Phi Alpha Delta.
Mary McLeod Bethune Award Recipient:
Autumn K. Ballard
Autumn is a senior Public Health major. She is a Banneker/Key Scholar and has served on the Student Government Association, the University Senate, and the UMD Residence Hall Association. A Maryland General Assembly Legislative Assistant, Autumn is also President of the Theta Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Student Success Leadership Council.
Mildred & Richard Loving Award Recipient:
Melania Driver
Melania is a senior studying Psychology. She is a second-generation college student and works as an undergraduate research assistant in the Cognition and Development Lab. She is also President of the Multiracial Biracial Student Association and responsible for the organization's rebranding to the Multiracial Student Union.
Outstanding Graduate Student Assembly Member Award Recipient:
Nora Shayne E Jameson
Nora is a 3rd-year PhD student in Epidemiology/Biostatistics in the School of Public Health, College Park Maryland. They are a Flagship fellow and past Dean's Award recipient. They have been the elected EPID representative for the Graduate Student Government for the past 3 years where they have helped author many resolutions and legislation.
Resident Assistant of the Year Award Recipient:
Shalom Tsegaye
Shalom is a senior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Sociology. Over the past two years, she has served as a Resident Assistant in Leonardtown, where she not only created welcoming communities for her residents, but also took on additional leadership responsibilities as a Team Lead, mentoring new RAs and helping them thrive in their roles. Shalom is a peer mentor with the Black Engineers Society, a teaching assistant in the Department of Computer Science, and an active member of the University Honors program. She has completed high-level internships with several major companies—including Jane Street Capital, Google, Apple, and Capital One.
Sarah Winnemucca Award Recipient:
Abigail Hardy
Abigail is a member of the Monacan Indian Nation in Amherst, VA, is an anthropology major from Baltimore, MD. She is the president of the Native and Indigenous Student Union (NAISU) and does work with the IndigenizeSNAC team, where she creates art and research for the collaborative.
Spirit of Maryland Award Recipient:
Jahnavi Kirkire
Jahnavi is a Government & Politics - International Relations and Public Policy dual degree student with minors in History and Law & Society. She is a student leader in ODK, Resident Life, and BridgeUMD. Jahnavi is heading to law school this fall and intends to eventually work for the State Department.
Spirit of Maryland Award Recipient:
Mason Minus
Mason is a senior Government and Politics from Silver Spring, Maryland. This Spirit of Maryland recipient is a former President and Vice President of the Black Student Union. He is a Do Good Institute Fellow, Lead Student Advocate in the Student Success Initiative and member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Mason aspires to combine his love for leadership and creativity in his pursuit of becoming a Lawyer, Actor, Activist, and Influencer who advocates for underrepresented communities.
Student Athlete of the Year Award Recipient:
Emma DeBerdine
Emma has been a standout for Maryland Field Hockey since 2019, earning spots on the U.S. National Team and the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team. A three-time NFHCA All-American and three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, she helped lead the Terps to four NCAA Tournament appearances and two semifinal runs. DeBerdine started 95 of 96 career games, totaling 74 points. Off the field, she earned a B.S. in Business Marketing and is currently completing an M.S. in Management Studies from Maryland, was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, and a four-time NFHCA Academic Squad member. In 2025, she and her sister Brooke became the first Maryland siblings to earn the Big Ten Medal of Honor and Student Leader of the Year.
Student Athlete of the Year Award Recipient:
Jaxon Smith
Jaxon had one of the most decorated seasons in Maryland wrestling history, earning All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships at 184 pounds. He became Maryland’s first All-American wrestler since 2019 and the first under head coach Alex Clemsen. A three-time Big Ten placer, Smith helped Maryland achieve its best-ever finishes in both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships in 2025. He also represented Team USA at the U23 Pan-American Championships, earning a bronze medal. A native of Cartersville, Georgia, Smith will graduate with a degree in Real Estate and the Built Environment and is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2025 NWCA Scholar All-American.
Student Wellness and Mental Health Advocacy Award Recipient:
Kathryn Wolfthal
Kathryn is a Psychology major with a Human Development minor from Valhalla, NY. She is a research assistant in the Big Emotions Across Development Lab, a Teaching Assistant for Child Psychopathology, and member of the Mental Health Coalition. Kathryn has held leadership positions in Alpha Xi Delta as Director of Community Service and currently as Director of Campus Activities. She is a Teaching Aide at the Center for Young Children, and active in Terps Raising Pups.
Vera Cruz-Kochiyama Award Recipient:
Imaan Shikoh
Imaan is a dedicated advocate for Asian American students at the University of Maryland, where she serve as Co-Director of Student Affairs. Through her leadership, Imaan has worked to expand affordable housing, increase SNAP access, and improve campus livability, ensuring that all students—particularly those from marginalized backgrounds—have the resources they need to thrive. Deeply engaged in community building, Imaan has fostered trust among Muslim and Asian American students, advocating for policies that address their unique challenges. Her commitment to equity and inclusion reflects a passion for uplifting underrepresented voices in higher education.
William L. Thomas Student Government Association Award Recipient:
Reese Artero
Reese is a senior majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with minors in Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation, as well as Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy (STEP). Throughout her time at the University of Maryland, Reese has demonstrated unwavering commitment to student advocacy, policy change, and inclusive leadership. Within the Student Government Association, she has served in a range of roles that reflect both breadth and depth of experience—from Legislative Staff Member and Coordinator of Recruitment & Retention, to Undergraduate Studies Representative and Director of Sexual Misconduct Policy. Today, she leads the organization as Student Body President, championing initiatives that center equity, transparency, and student voice. Beyond campus, Reese extends her leadership across the Big Ten as Executive Director of the Association of Big Ten Students, where she collaborates with peers from across the country to address shared student concerns at a national level. Her work bridges policy, service, and ethics—reflecting a deep sense of purpose and an inspiring vision for the future of student leadership.
For FAQs visit our About page located here. If you have any further questions please email: umdawards@umd.edu