As part of the 2007 Student Leader Recognition Week, we’re proud to feature student leaders from across campus who were nominated and won various leadership awards for their contributions to and leadership of the University community. These students/student groups were nominated by their peers, faculty and staff and were selected from outstanding candidate pools. We congratulate them and all of our award nominees and thank them for their accomplishments during the past year!!
Donald L. McCullough Leadership Award
Winner: Chloe Coenen
Chloe is a New England Scholar majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Anthropology and Women's Studies. She has made a significant difference on this campus through the six peer education programs she is involved with. In 2005 Chloe was named Peer Educator of the Year. She is also a very active member of the Violence Against Women's Prevention Program, and is the chair for the annual "Take Back the Night" event. Although she works three jobs on campus, Chloe still finds time to give back to the community though her constant service and leadership efforts.
Finalist: Devika Dhandapani
Devika is a Nutmeg Scholar who is on track to becoming a physician. She is an instrumental part of both the Honor's Council and Community Outreach. Devika has served as a Husky Ambassador, a facilitator to an Honors Freshman Seminar, and the student representative on the Honors Board of Associative Directors. Her achievements with Community Outreach include work with both the Alternative Breaks program and the Immersions Program. She has planned and coordinated trips for UConn students to serve in places such as New Orleans, Dominican Republic, and Philadelphia. Devika is also one of the first UConn students to study at the University of Singapore.
Finalist: Katherine Etter
Katherine (Kade) is a Biomedical Engineering Honor's Student. She is currently a Community Assistant in Northwest and active in the Undergraduate Student Government. She serves as the Speaker of the House for USG. Kade was chosen as an UConn delegate for the Coalition of Student Government Associations Conference last spring. She was the chief organizer of "Connecting CT: Student for Equal Access" conference. She is also a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society and the Society of Women Engineers.
Finalist: Andrew Marone
Andrew has been extremely involved in the Undergraduate Student Government which has ranged from serving as a volunteer to its current President. His roles in USG have allowed him to become more involved in student issues and better the UConn community. Andrew is a member of the University Senate Executive Committee, the Mansfield Community-Campus Partnership, the AOD Policy Committee, and the Spring Weekend Committee. He has also created the GUARD Dogs program.
Finalist: Ross Moran
Ross is a 2007 Peer Educator of the Year. He is currently involved in Community Outreach and has been involved with Peer Leadership Instructors and Orientation in past years. Through his work in Community Outreach for the past three years, Ross has been described as instrumental throughout the organization, an excellent team player, and a thoughtful leader.
Finalist: Sheena Williams
Sheena is a Community Assistant in the Social Justice First Year Learning Community in Towers Quadrangle. She organized and executed a very successful program which was a dinner centered on Black History Month. This dinner was held in the Towers Dining Hall in February and open to the entire UConn community. Over 600 individuals attended the function which included food, history, artwork, a trivia contest, and giveaways all related to Black History.
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Emerging Leaders Award
Winner: Linda Drozdowicz
As a first year honors student, Linda has already positively contributed to the Honors Program. She is an active member of the Honors Council and Academic Committee. As part of the Honors Council Academic Committee, she assists with the planning and implementation of various academic based programs such as: Academic Night, National Scholarships Night, and a viewing of "City of God" at the Student Union Theatre followed by a discussion of the film with an honors faculty member.
Finalist: Yi-Jun Chen
Yi-Jun Chen has contributed to encouraging and enhancing the diversity of the UConn community at large. She has been the Activities Coordinator for the Chinese Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA) since April 2006. She also started an event known as "Panda's Playgroup" where, every other weekend, CUSA hosts a session of activities for adopted Chinese children ranging in age from three to ten. Yi-Jun is also in the Honors Program, has been on the Dean's List since entering UConn in 2005, and is a 2006 Babbidge Scholar.
Finalist: Kyle Hannon
Kyle is part of the Honors Program and has positively contributed to the Honors community and the University as a whole. He is an outstanding student, maintaining a 3.8 GPA in business management. Kyle assists with Honors Peer Leadership and Mentoring class for about fifty first year students. Last semester, Kyle co-facilitated a class of about fifteen first semester students, helping them transition into the University. He also has volunteered as a coach in bowling, floor hockey, and track and field at the Special Olympics in Connecticut. Kyle serves as an excellent role model for his peers, co-workers, and prospective students.
Finalist: Kelsey Webber
Kelsey is extremely focused on her studies and is a role model to others with her studious habits and commitment to academic excellence. She is a dedicated and knowledgeable RHA representative for United Towers Organization (Area Council). She is also involved in the Alpha Zeta Omega professional pharmacy fraternity and helped organized their American Heart Association awareness campaign and fundraiser. Kelsey is a leader on any group or team and has contributed greatly to the UConn community.
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Building Community Award
Winners: Jaclyn Vanase & Eric Knudsen
Jaclyn and Eric have worked to launch a new student organization called, "UNARM" – UConn Network Advocating for Responsible Media. UNARM was conceived in response to what was seen as unacceptably sexist, violent and homophobic material appearing on the pages of the Daily Campus. Both students have engaged in various peer education and social justice efforts on campus, through the Violence Against Women Prevention Program and the Rainbow Center respectively.
Finalist: Kristin Brooks
Kristin volunteered and revived Alpha Lambda Delta, a National Honor Society for First Year College Students. This past February she helped initiate a class of 545 first year students who had a GPA above a 3.5 in their first semester on campus. She has also led the executive board in leadership training and has written a constitution. As President of ALD, she has helped bring honors academic excellence back on campus.
Finalist: Jennifer Weekley
Jennifer is involved with both the Rainbow Center and as the programming chair of QUAD (Queers United Against Discrimination). She has started events such as "Skate for AIDS", which not only raised money for a local AIDS organization but also helped educate individuals about HIV/AIDS. Jennifer has also written, formatted, and promoted The Pink Tongue, a newspaper, which creates more visibility for the Rainbow Center and the LGBTQ community. She helps build pride among LGBTQ and develop alliances with other groups around campus.
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Individual Community Service Award
Winner: Devika Dhandapani
Devika is a Nutmeg Scholar who is on track to becoming a physician. She is an instrumental part of both the Honor's Council and Community Outreach. Devika has served as a Husky Ambassador, a facilitator to an Honors Freshman Seminar, and the student representative on the Honors Board of Associative Directors. Her achievements with Community Outreach include work with both the Alternative Breaks program and the Immersions Program. She has planned and coordinated trips for UConn students to serve in places such as New Orleans, Dominican Republic, and Philadelphia. Devika is also one of the first UConn students to study at the University of Singapore.
Finalist: Ryan Notti
Aside from his exemplary academic commitment including coursework, stem cell research and human rights, he is a community service leader for the Windham Heights After School Tutoring program. He has served as a mentor for both the honors program and Combined Program in Medicine and Dentistry. He has also traveled on two Alternative Spring Breaks with the Office of Community Outreach to Philadelphia and New Orleans to assist the urban poor and to provide hurricane relief.
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Individual Husky Pride Award
Winner: Dale Nosel
Dale exhibits an extreme sense of pride, dedication, and loyalty to UConn Athletics. Dale is more commonly referred to around campus as, "Blue and White kid," "Superfan," or "Painted Kid." He is the President of Husky Hardcores, a student spirit organization that aims to increase attendance, student unity, and enthusiasm at all UConn sporting events. Dale has been recognized for his Husky Pride in local media outlets, as well as nationally by ESPN, The New York Times, and Sirius Radio. Dale is an exemplary fan who strives to improve support for UConn's athletic programs.
Finalist: Julie Spitzel
Julie has worked in the Graduate Admissions Office for the past five years. Julie is a member of the Air Force ROTC. During her time at UConn she has volunteered on behalf of ROTC at sporting and other events which benefit the UConn community. She has interned at local hospitals and spent a month last summer at a military hospital in Texas. After graduation she will continue in her nursing and military careers helping military men, women and their families.
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Student Multicularal Award
Winner: Sheena Williams
Sheena is a Community Assistant in the Social Justice First Year Learning Community in Towers Quadrangle. She organized and executed a very successful program which was a dinner centered on Black History Month. This dinner was held in the Towers Dining Hall in February and open to the entire UConn community. Over 600 individuals attended the function which included food, history, artwork, a trivia contest, and giveaways all related to Black History.
Finalist: Yi-Jun Chen
Yi-Jun Chen has contributed to encouraging and enhancing the diversity of the UConn community at large. She has been the Activities Coordinator for the Chinese Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA) since April 2006. She also started an event known as "Panda's Playgroup" where, every other weekend, CUSA hosts a session of activities for adopted Chinese children ranging in age from three to ten. Yi-Jun is also in the Honors Program, has been on the Dean's List since entering UConn in 2005, and is a 2006 Babbidge Scholar.
Finalist: Anne-Karen Jose
Anne is involved with both the Asian American Cultural Center and the Asiantation Mentoring Program. She is also a sister in Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. Karen has also worked with the Women's Center in their "Clothesline Project" and co-sponsored "Exploring the Myths: Border Angels and the Truth about the Migrant Community" with the Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Center. She has also directed events like "Benefits of Being a Minority Greek" and held socials at the Rainbow Center.
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Student Organization Advisor Award
Winner: Julie Bell-Elkins
Julie is currently the advisor for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). She often lends her support to many different initiatives (such as the off campus housing office) that USG takes an interest in. Her main focus is to help students and make UConn a better place. She is an amazing resource and is always there to lend a hand or help with a problem.
Finalist: Janella Mildrexler
Janella has a challenging advising position. Being the advisor to four vastly different media organizations requires her to wear several different hats and face different challenges. Janella walks a very fine line in supporting the student media organizations of UConn while preserving their autonomy and ensuring that it is in fact the students that are running the organizations.
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April 19 Winners Announced:
Peer Educator of the Year Award
Winner: Alpa Patel
Alpa is currently involved with the Honors First Year Experience program as a mentor and Teaching Assistant as well as the Honors Mentor Program. Alpa is described as an amazing role model and one who actively pursues activities to enhance her development as a Peer Educator and to better assist students she works with.
Winner: Ross Moran
Ross is currently involved in Community Outreach and has been involved with Peer Leadership Instructors and Orientation in past years. Through his work in Community Outreach for the past three years, Ross has been described as instrumental throughout the organization, an excellent team player, and a thoughtful leader
Winner: Jaclyn Vanase
Jaclyn has been involved with the Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) for the past two years as a Teacher's Assistant in addition to facilitating workshops for a variety of audiences. She is described as a "go-to" person, an excellent teacher, passionate, and driven.
Winner: Jacqueline Guzman
Jacqueline is involved with the METAS Program (Mentoring, Educating, and Training for Academic Success) out of PRLACC for the past two years and is currently the Program Coordinator. She is known as an advocate for Latino students and PRLACC, dedicated, enthusiastic and involved with all students.
Winner: Samantha Sherwood
Samantha is involved in the Honors Mentoring Program for first-year students and the Honors Ambassadors Program, as well as leading the efforts for the creation of Honors Initiatives for Prospective Students (HIPS), a new Honors Peer Education Program. She is known to give 110% of herself to the students she works with in all her programs.
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April 18 Winners Announced:
Matthew B. Schechter Scholarship
Winner: Amy Vanheuverzwyn
Amy is currently involved in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Sigma Alpha, and the UConn Law Society. She is also committed to other demanding jobs outside of school, such as a Pharmacy Technician at Manchester Memorial Hospital and an intern for the Investigator at the New London Superior Court. On top of her heavy course load and involvement, she is also the cofounder of the UConn Free Press, an alternative newspaper that allows student activists to share their editorials. Her involvement on campus and dedication can be seen through all that she does.
Spirer/Dueker Humanitarian Achievement Award
Winner: Bethany Lepine
Bethany is the Program Director of the UCONN homelessness project with Community Outreach. She brought the community service groups working for shelters in No Freeze and the Lodge together to be more involved and help conquer the issue of homelessness. She helps train students and was able to work with the shelters and get them more volunteers to help. The system she has created for this project is strong and will continue impacting UCONN after she is gone.
Cohen Scholarship for Enhancing Community
Winner: Jaclyn Vanase
Jaclyn is heavily involved on campus, having spent her time as a peer educator, summer orientation leader, and currently working as an intern for the Violence Against Women Prevention Program. She also created the group UNARM, which responds to sexism, racism, and heterosexism in the media around campus and helps to promote responsible ads. Jaclyn connects with people on all levels and is a great representative of activism.
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April 17 Winners Announced:
Organization Community Service Award
Winner: Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Composed of student-athletes at the University, SAAC organized a number of different community service projects in and around the UConn community, including a food drive, book drive, coat drive, and toy drive. With each event, SAAC members emulated a positive image of good health, sportsmanship, and the balance of school and sports.
Student Employee of Year Award
Winner: Justin Torniero
Justin Torniero has worked for Transportation Services for three years and currently serves as Assistant Manager of Preventative Maintenance as well as a Shuttle Bus Dispatcher, Driver, and Trainer. He supervises over 15 student workers and his team is responsible for performing safety checks of emergency equipment, vehicle safety systems, fluid levels, and refueling as well as tracking mileage and passenger counts.
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April 16 Winners Announced:
Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award
Winner: Julie Silverstein
Julie is a student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs master's program. She helped start and shape a new Honors student leadership experience, centering on creating Honors ambassadors and recruiters for prospective students. She is also involved in the Future Leaders program and in the Leadership Legacy Experience.
Student Organization Advocacy Award
Winner: A Minor
A Minor is a co-ed acapella group sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center. During the year, they lost a friend and member to suicide. In her honor, they held a memorial service where they raised money in her memory. They continue to raise public awareness and prevention of suicide and are participating in a walk to raise money to further this awareness. This group exemplifies leadership and strength and the importance of coming together.
Husky Pride Award
Winner: Agents of Improv
Agents of Improv explore different forms of improvisational arts and bring laughter, fun and awareness to this diverse art. They perform workshops for middle and high school students and participated in the Husky WOW presentation for new students. This is a great group that promotes school pride.
Program of the Year Award
Winner: HEART Program
The HEART Program consists of over 100 interns, overseen by Dr. J, who are here to support and inform UCONN students. Their programs consist of dealing with students who have breached student code, helping students in legal trouble, offering Guard Dogs for safe rides, and informing the campus about the issues of alcohol and drug abuse. The HEART program is a great organization on campus that is always ready to lend a helping hand to UCONN students.
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