Program: Student Leadership Recognition Banquet & Award Ceremony – May 8, 2026

5 to 6 p.m.

Social Hour

Enjoy a variety of stationary and passed appetizers, refreshments, cash bar, while listening to relaxing jazz. Make sure to take a photo with your friends and use the opportunity to get your club picture taken before the event starts.

6 p.m.

Welcome

Tatyana Santiago and Gabriela Torres, Emcees

Pre-Dinner Award Presentation

Hancock Student Leadership Program

Presented by: Carol C. Huang, Ph.D, Director, Hancock Student Leadership Program

The Hancock Student Leadership Program promotes, fosters, and identifies student leaders and develops their ability to inspire, motivate, and influence others after graduation. The program promotes students’ development of a body of practical ethics, good communication skills, compassion and empathy, team and community building, creative problem-solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, independent thinking, and the financial awareness required for sound financial stewardship for the management of budgets.

The 2026 participants of the program are the following:

Owen Ibey

Joseph Iken

Yadira Reinoso

Miah Ruiz

Ryan Stillman

Nicholas Wiseman

Leadership, Compassion and Creativity Certificate Program Graduates

Presented by: Lia Reynolds, CSI Graduate Intern

The Leadership, Compassion and Creativity Certificate program is a leadership program that provides an opportunity for students to receive a certificate by exploring the values of leadership, compassion & creativity across all Student Affairs disciplines and with people of all communities. This program takes a student’s co-curricular activities, leadership roles and community service hours and combines them into one leadership certificate.

LCCC leaders are those who are innovative and inspire others to find new and diverse ways to solve problems. They lead sympathetically by understanding that all people learn and succeed through different avenues of guidance. At the end of completing the LCCC, students are able to explain how they have become more compassionate and creative leaders; and explain how participation in LCCC has shaped their understanding of leadership.

The 2026 graduates of the program are the following:

William Brock

Dylan Caldwell

Sydney Hansen

Grace O’Connell

Gabriella Otero

Tanner Poissant

Karmen-Ariel Stolich

Charles Wimer

Orientation Leader of the Year Award

Awarded by the Center for Student Involvement

Presented by: Michael Azzi, CSI Graduate Intern

This award is given to an Orientation Leader who has shown exemplary leadership.

John Tamas Memorial Emerging Student Leader Award

Awarded by the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Presented by: Dr. Julie Perrelli, Interim Dean of Students

This award goes to a Freshman or Sophomore who has demonstrated superior leadership capability and potential.

Dinner

Please stay seated until your table is called to the buffet line. You may look at the LCCC displays or take more pictures before the award ceremony starts again. Please stay in your seats during the presentation.

Award Presentation

Inter-Residence Hall Association Awards

The awards are voted upon by the Inter-Residence Hall Association, which represents the residential student body.

Presented by: Melanie Segura, Inter-Residence Hall Association President

Housing and Residence Life Staff Member of the Year – RA

This award is given to a Resident Assistant who has shown extreme dedication to Housing throughout the academic year. Through programming, office work, and showing support for the residents of Western Connecticut State University, the award recipient is being honored for his/her service.

Housing and Residence Life Staff Member of the Year – ARM

This award is given to an Academic Resource Mentor who has shown extreme dedication to Housing throughout the academic year. Through programming, office work, and showing support for the residents of Western Connecticut State University, the award recipient is being honored for his/her service.

Resident of the Year

This award is given to a member of the residential student body who has served the campus community above and beyond the call of duty. This individual is an outstanding leader and motivator to all students, but particularly the residential students.

Program of the Year

This award is given either to a Hall Council, Resident Assistant, Academic Resource Mentor, or a member of the residential student body who has hosted a program that has best suited the university and the needs of the community.

Program Activities Council Award

Awarded by the Program Activities Council

Presented by: Cienna Schlemmer, PAC Gameshows and Competition Chair

Outstanding Student Programming

This award is presented to a student or group who is deemed to have initiated and executed the program, excluding PAC programs, that had the largest impact on the campus community during the year.

Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards

Awarded by Fraternity and Sorority Life

Presented by: Charles Wimer, FSL Council President and Dylan Caldwell, FSL Council Vice President

New Greek Member of the Year

This award goes to an individual who is new to the Greek community and has made a significant contribution to his/her Greek organization, the Greek Council, and the university. Nominations were solicited from individuals and Greek organizations.

Outstanding Greek Member of the Year

This award goes to the individual who has made a significant contribution to his/her Greek organization, the Greek Council, and the university. Nominations were solicited from individuals and Greek organizations.

SLRB Committee Student Organization of the Year Awards

Presented by: Members of the SLRB Committee

Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences – Student Organization of the Year

This award is presented to a student organization that has shown outstanding commitment to its organizational goals and program planning, has made an impact on the campus and surrounding community, and the leadership development of its group members.

School of Professional Studies – Student Organization of the Year

School of Visual and Performing Arts – Student Organization of the Year

General Interest and Community Service – Student Organization of the Year

Diversity – Student Organization of the Year

Student Government Association Awards

Presented by: Members of the Student Government Association

Ancell School of Business – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the Ancell School of Business for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

School of Professional Studies – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the School of Professional Studies for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

School of Visual & Performing Arts – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the School of Visual & Performing Arts for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

Outstanding Senator

Awarded to a senator in the Student Government Association for outstanding service.

The Fernando & Alice Fernandes Award

Awarded to a member of the classified staff who has made significant contribution to student life.

Award of Merit

Awarded for outstanding service to the entire student body. A non-student member of the WCSU community whose dedication to the students and student life has gone far above and beyond his/her obligations.

Student Award of Merit

Awarded to a student who has dedicated him/herself to outstanding service to the student body.

SGA President’s Award

Awarded to a student or other member of the university community who has contributed to helping student organizations on campus.

SGA President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership

This award is presented to a student who has displayed outstanding leadership skills and has actively worked toward bettering the community and student life on campus during their time here at Western Connecticut State University.

Community Service Award

Awarded by the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Presented by: Dr. Julie Perrelli, Interim Dean of Students

This award is presented to the club, organization or student that shows exemplary effort to volunteer and serve the community around them.

Outstanding Advisor Award

Awarded by the Center for Student Involvement

Presented by: Carly Mengler, Assistant Director of the Center for Student Involvement

Awarded to the Advisor that best promotes the growth potential of student organizations, assists with their maintenance, and stimulates the development of programs that not only enrich the campus but also aid the development of students.

Alumni Association Outstanding Student Leader Award

Awarded by the WCSU Alumni Association

Presented by: Dave Zavarelli, President, Alumni Association

This award is given each year to a student who has exemplified the qualities of a student leader.

Dean of Student’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Life

Awarded by the Division of Student Affairs

Presented by: Dr. Julie Perrelli, Interim Dean of Students

This award is given each year to a student who has shown dedication, passion, and immense effort toward the improvement of Student Life throughout their tenure at WCSU.

Closing Remarks

Dr. Jesse Bernal, President, Western Connecticut State University