GS Students Honored at 2026 Student Leadership Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday, May 5, the School of General Studies celebrated the outstanding leadership of over 100 students at the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony.
Honoring the community contributions of students, the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony provides an annual opportunity to celebrate individuals whose initiative, generosity, and commitment exemplifies the spirit of GS. Over 100 students were recognized at this year’s ceremony!
“At a school defined by the many nonlinear paths our students take, and the diverse experiences they bring to our community, leadership takes many forms,” said Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ‘90GS in her remarks. “It is found in elected positions in student organizations, but also in the work of orientation leaders, peer mentors, tutors, club leaders, resident advisors, council members, advocates, and classmates who show up for one another with curiosity and kindness.”
General Studies Student Council (GSSC) Vice President of Policy Nora Zhu ‘26GS presented the GSSC Excellence in Service Awards, commending the teachers assistants, professors, and administrators who have played a pivotal role in supporting GS students. Following this, GS Associate Dean of Student Life Sean Trulby presented the Service Awards and the Honorary Owl Award. Next, GS Dean of Students Marlyn Delva ‘98BC, ‘99TC, ‘13TC presented the Change Agent Awards and Columbia Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program Dean James Colgorove ‘01MSPH, ‘04GSAS then presented the Spirit Awards. Finally, Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch presented the Dean’s Citation Awards, Alumni Key Awards, and the Campbell Award, commending the exceptional commitment of the recipients to the School of General Studies and Columbia throughout their tenures.
“As Dean, I have had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of your leadership across our School and our University,” Dean Rosen-Metsch remarked to the evening’s honorees. “You help shape the student experience at GS. You create spaces where others feel seen and supported."
"Your leadership and service make GS stronger, more connected, and more fully representative of Columbia at its best.”
Dean Rosen-Metsch concluded the ceremony by taking a moment to recognize and congratulate the Class of 2026.
Leadership Awards
Alumni Key Award: Aleigh Alarie and Simone Hogan-Murphy
Awarded to a graduating senior for exceptional academic achievement and ongoing commitment to leadership and service to the School of General Studies community.
Campbell Award: Robert Mulvey
Awarded to a student leader who shows exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit as exemplified by Bill Campbell ‘62CC, ‘64TC.
Dean’s Citation: Raquel Ramirez, Oscar Wolfe, and Lydia Jacob
Awarded to juniors or graduating students who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to outstanding leadership and service to the School of General Studies community throughout their academic tenure.
Honorary Owl Award: Christopher Mendell ‘25GS
Awarded to a Columbia student at a school other than GS who has made a contribution to the School of General Studies community through their leadership and service this academic year.
Change Agent Award
Awarded to a group of students who have made impactful contributions through their dedication to equity, inclusion, and social justice to the School of General Studies and the Columbia community.
Apolline Ancel, Brandon Avezov, Jason Bostic, Mara Bulzan, Dominic Dupont, Madeline Hudak, Mikka Kabugo, Maya Koka, Gavin Xue, Nora Zhu, Nicholas Coleman, and Kiet Nguyen
Spirit Award
Awarded to a select group of students who have made outstanding contributions through their dedication to leadership and service to the School of General Studies and Columbia community.
Philip Auerbach, Sai Sai Han Hark, Morgan Johns, Iggy LaManna, William Luo, Isabela Moreira Ferreira, Rachel Papirmeister, Glenn Paul, Lovestar Rogers, Jeremy Switzer, Albert Tsai, Devin Giordano, Will Hellman, Marissa Horton, Kasope Olumide-Fusika, and Shaw Qin
Service Award
Awarded to students who have distinguished themselves this academic year with a dedication to service and leadership within the School of General Studies and Columbia University community.
Matt Cheung, Matthew Franco, John Green, Natalie Kaloudova, Nick Karakunnel, Aidan McKenna, Ella Olcese, Will Ostlund, Morgan Scott, Malika Ali, Ash Andrews, Kent Andrews, Mila Antkevych, Paul Audoin, Gulnazik Bakhramova, Uriel Benymon, Kamila Boga, Jake Borden, Ahmad Bright, Tee Chainarongrit, Yijia Chen, Harlan Chen, Julie Chen, Jolee Cobb, Aidan Cook, Spencer Davis, Victor Delgado, Oury Diallo, Olivia Doerr, Lukas Donaghue, Dylan Dorman, Artemis Edison, Ime Ekpo, Catherine Escobar, Giany Espinoza, Gaetan Evina Biloa, Jeanne Fontaine, Katherine Francke, Alex Garza, Oren Giladi, Francesca Gilbard, Beccan Gruenberg, Anna Hazolyshyn, Tara Hillman, Sabrina Hsu, Jamil Jalalzadah, Chané Jeter-Smith, Jason Kang, Justin Kiel, DJ Kim, Sangwoo Kim, Michael King, Yudai Kitta, Francis Koroma, Isbjorn Kosta, Melanie Laporte, Celline Lee, Chloe Lein, Chanchai Lewis, Josh Lohmolder, Atulya Madhavan, Kiel Malate, Etan Malka, Liana Marks, Maria Melillo Sanchez, Esperanza Montero, Rob Mugno, Alex Nagin, Zin Nas, Maria Neagu, George Neira Avila, Cecilia Nemeth, Lisette Oblitas, Eujin Oh, Emily Oo, Brandon Ortiz, Kavya Prasad, Nichakul Punnahitanon, Andrea Riccelli, Kate Rosen, William Saleem Palacios, Ana Vieira Semeghini, Aiden Schiller, Neomi Li Simoni, Mehdi Shakibapour, Tooli Shariah, Maeve Sheehan, Yavov Shulepov, Rachel Son, Irene Souny, Jeremy Spence, Joel Teron, Khine Su Thar, Anjanet Thomas, Syuba Thurai, Jeffrey Vazquez, Bobby Veihman, Jasmine McElya-Watts, Jotera Webster, Melanie Wells, Trenten West, and Christina Williams
GS Student Council (GSSC) Excellence in Service Awards
Awarded to a faculty member, a teaching assistant, and an administrator who have made exceptional contributions to the School of General Studies community and its student body.
GSSC Excellence in Teaching Award: Sarah Margaret Nicolay Woolley
Professor of Psychology, Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University
GSSC Excellence in Teaching Assistance Award: Bandee Yi
Biological Sciences, School of General Studies
GSSC Excellence in Administration Award: Sara Remedios Bloom
Academic Resource Center, Associate Dean for Student Success Programming, School of General Studies