Welcome
Keith T. Kowalka
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs - Student Life
Welcome to the 38th University of Houston Annual Campus Leaders Awards site. The Campus Leaders Awards, from its inception, has been established to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and student organizations, which has provided an enhanced student life experience. The University of Houston is a richer campus for your contributions in helping to create a home away from home for your follow students, and contributing to student success.
Congratulations to this year’s Campus Leaders award nominees and award recipients. For each of you, someone recognized the greatness in you and took the time to share your distinction and meritorious service with the campus community. A sincere thank you to all of the award nominators and award reviewers who helped make these awards a success, even during difficult times.
I leave you with a quote from Mother Theresa, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” I want to thank each of you for creating ripples during your time at the University of Huston; you have left UH a better place due to your engagement.
University
Recognitions
LeadUH Leadership Certificates
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In partnership with the Center for Student Involvement LeadUH program, LGBTQ Resource Center offers an ally leadership program for all students. The program provides engaging workshops and programs that increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the lives of LGBTQ people. Students also gain skills in how to be an effective ally to the LGBTQ community.
Recipients
- Kayleen Lam
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In partnership with the Center for Student Involvement LeadUH program, the Center for Diversity & Inclusion offers a diversity-based leadership program for all students. This program provides workshop and programs aimed at increasing participants’ knowledge and understanding of their own culture and the culture of others.
Recipients
- Ernest Addison
- Jonathan Chan
- Rey Christian Estrada
- Rea Rose Estrada
- Kayleen Lam
- Eyerus Legesse
- Rhane Mason
- Elise Mitchell
- Lauren Nguyen
- Stefanie Menado
- Casiana Revereza
- Clarissa Rodriguez
- Monica Sutton-Bryant
- Catherine Urso
- Ridwanah Yamin
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Hosted by the Center for Student Involvement as a LeadUH program, SOLD is a leadership program designed for students in registered student organizations. Students learn skills to effectively manage and lead their peers and successful organizations.
Recipients
- Alexandra Gonzalez
- Rhane Mason
- Josiah Wintour
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President’s Volunteer Service Awards
This national award recognizes students who work to build a stronger community through volunteering a minimum of 100 hours within a year.
Bronze Recipients (100-174 hours)
- Melyssa Navarro
- Jie Xin Lin
- Yasmina Dalibalta
- Valeria Servin
- Aleena Khichi
- Muhammad Shekhani
- Trinity Drake
- Akosua Karikari
- Elaine Vo
- Karla Landa
- Yhoalibeth Guerrero-Becerril
- Sokountavary Chhay
Silver Recipients (175-249 hours)
- Esma Z. Kurtlu
- Ayman Rashid
- Ashlita Acuna
- Amy Bui
- Izma Syed
- Matthew Tao
Gold Recipients (250+ hours)
- Martin Sanchez
- Kate Tran
- Kristin Dinh
- Matthew Haverty
- Saad Nadeem
- Momina Fiyaz
- Zehra Rashid
- Sarah Khan
- Zuhayr Haq
- Maryam Moeen
- Emily Nguyen
- Christian Avalos Minor
- Muhammad Zain
- Hadiqa Imran
- Lillian Pennington
- Omar Castanon
- Haley Romine
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The Dean’s Award
A student that has outstanding contributions to the quality of campus life through service, leadership, and spirit.
Nominees
- Saad Nadeem
- Falak Farhan
- Muhammad Zain
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Saad Nadeem
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Student Employee of the Year Award: Undergraduate
The Student Employee of the Year Recognition program begins at the institutional level and moves on to regional, and in some cases, national recognition. Nominees are reviewed on their reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and uniqueness of contribution.
Nominees
- Rhozalin Nath
- Sydney Rose
- Ahmad Amir McCray
- Miracle Ofomaja
- Eno Mbaba
- Kevin Glidden
- Davcons Cortes
- Jeeda “Jay” Bitar
- Maryam Moeen
- Millicent Okenwa
- Samantha Sadeghi
- Lordina Yeboah
- Anana Walker
- Roman Hernandez
- Quoc (Giza) Nguyen
- Huyen T Vu
- Isabelle Sitchon
- Michael Alatorre
- Ashley Maldonado
- Francis Hayes
- Casey Quick
- Kaitlyn Wells
- Samantha Lane
- Tiffany Duong
- Dylan Hunter Emerson
- Sorosh Malekzad
- Daniela Martinez
- Nicole Martinez
- Fawzi Jassar
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Lordina Yeboah
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Student Employee of the Year Award: Graduate
The Student Employee of the Year Recognition program begins at the institutional level and moves on to regional, and in some cases, national recognition. Nominees are reviewed on their reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and uniqueness of contribution.
Nominees
- Rithik Boindala
- Arjun Rao
- Thomas Carroll
- Kanmani Thomas Xavier
- Lisa Tinley
- Mohannad Elabbasi
- Cyna Dolcefino
- Kayleen Lam
- Genevieve Ryan
- Andres Flores
- Karin Simpson
- Sebin Nidhiri
- Michelle Ostolaza
- Tynashia “Ty” Whitaker
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Tynashia “Ty” Whitaker
Individual
Excellence
Awards
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Community Impact Award
A student who has made a significant positive impact on the UH and Houston community this past academic year through initiatives, interactions, and contributions by uniquely addressing a problem or improving a situation.
Nominees
- Alyssa Green
- Briana Azad
- Christina Kuruvilla
- Emily Nguyen
- Grace Kim
- Omar Castanon
- Saad Nadeem
- Sarah Khan
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Alyssa Green
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Inclusion and Advocacy Award
Students striving to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity and inclusion through leadership, advocacy, and education.
Nominees
- Esma Kurtlu
- Kaitlin Tolman
- Katherine Galland
- Saad Nadeem
- Sarah Khan
- Thai Tran
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Katherine Galland
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Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Leader Award
A student committed to excelling academically and contributing positively to campus through engaging with student involvement while balancing various roles as a non-traditional student.
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Calvin Pham
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Rising Star Award
A first-time student leader who has done outstanding work in their first year of involvement, displays leadership potential, and is motivated to continue to expand involvement in other areas of the UH community.
Nominees
- Elaine Vo
- Esma Kurtlu
- Jordan Porter
- Melody Tran
- Omar Castanon
- Rhane Mason
- Zuhayr Haq
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Omar Castañón
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Unsung Hero Award
A student that puts their heart and soul into everything he/she does, consistently goes above and beyond, but often goes unrecognized.
Nominees
- Han Diep
- Saad Nadeem
- Samantha Sadeghi
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Saad Nadeem
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Outstanding Advisor Award
An advisor who goes above and beyond to assist their student organization(s).
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Marivi Tejada-Simon
Organizational
Excellence
Awards
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Outstanding New Student Organization Award
A registered student organization registered in the last two years that has demonstrated outstanding potential for the growth and development of its members while contributing to the campus community.
Nominees
- Cougar Closet
- Japanese Student Association
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Cougar Closet
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Outstanding Program Award
A registered student organization that contributed to campus life through an impactful event at UH.
Nominees
- Hispanic Pharmacy Student Association (HPSA) - Building Community Through Vaccine Awareness and Equity
- Residence Halls Association - Lunar New Year
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Building Community Through Vaccine Awareness and Equity - HPSA
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Outstanding University Sponsored Program Award
A university-sponsored organization that contributed to campus life through an impactful event on campus.
Nominees
- Council For Cultural Activites - Cultural Catwalk
- Council for Cultural Activites - Cultural Taste of Houston
- Student Program Board - 2022 Homecoming Concert
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Cultural Catwalk - Council for Cultural Activities
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Outstanding Student Organization Award
The efforts of a registered student organization in how they carry out the mission of their student organization and contribute to campus life in a positive manner.
Nominees
- GLOBAL
- Phi Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Muslim Students Association
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Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
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Outstanding University Sponsored Student Organization Award
The efforts of a university-sponsored organization in how they carry out the mission of their student organization and contribute to campus life in a positive manner.
Nominees
- Frontier Fiesta Association
- Council for Cultural Activities
- Activities Funding Board
- Student Program Board
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Activities Funding Board
Distinguished
Achievement
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Distinguished Freshman Student Leader Award
First-year students who have taken the initiative to get involved at the University of Houston.
Nominees
- William Fleming
- Rhane Mason
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Rhane Mason
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Distinguished Sophomore Student Leader Award
Students who have had outstanding involvement on campus. Through their involvement, these students have contributed to the quality of life on the University of Houston’s campus.
Nominees
- Catherine Cedillo
- Haley Romine
- Naumi Aparanji
- Rosemarie Faustina Le
- Sarah Khan
- Zuhayr Haq
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Hannah Reeves
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Distinguished Junior Student Leader Award
Students who have significantly enhanced the University of Houston’s campus environment through their demonstrated leadership abilities, personal growth, and community service.
Nominees
- Emily Nguyen
- Melody Tran
- Omar Castanon
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Melody Tran
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Distinguished Senior Student Leader Award
Students who have demonstrated their commitment to enhancing the quality of student life on the University of Houston campus through this academic year but have also shown outstanding potential for future achievement as they prepare to enter a new phase in their lives.
Nominees
- Alyssa Green
- Gabriela Hamdieh
- Gabrielle Kostecki
- Hadiqa Imran
- Muhammad Shekhani
- Muhammad Zain
- Olivia Tran
- Saad Nadeem
- Samantha Sadeghi
- Tahimy Landestoy Acosta
- Tammy Tran
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Alyssa Green
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Distinguished Graduate/Professional Student Leader Award
Students who are involved on campus despite graduate/professional level coursework, professional commitments, and family responsibilities.
Nominees
- Grace Kim
- Adam Mallette
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Adam Mallette
Scholarship
Awards
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Michael and Lisa Sachs Leadership Scholarship
An undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Houston who is actively participating in a role within a co-curricular activity or student organization, highly motivated, and exhibiting leadership qualities and campus involvement that assist them in attaining their educational goals.
Nominees
- Alyssa Green
- Esma Kurtlu
- Gabrielle Kostecki
- Haley Romine
- Han Diep
- Kala Pham
- Katherine Galland
- Muhammad Zain
- Omar Castanon
- Saad Nadeem
- Zuhayr Haq
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Gabrielle Kostecki
Legacy
Award
The Legacy Award
Campus Leaders Reception’s Highest Honor
A student whose influence, ideals and activities throughout their college career have left a lasting, positive impression on the institution and raises the standard of excellence for future generations.
- Alyssa Greene
- Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez
- Gabrielle Kostecki
- Hadiqa Imran
- Han Diep
- Saad Nadeem
- Tahimy Landestoy Acosta
Tahimy Landestoy Acosta
Saad Nadeem
Gabrielle Kostecki
Congratulations and Thank You!
Dr. Daniel Maxwell
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Congratulations to this year’s Campus Leaders award nominees and award recipients. Your outstanding contributions put you in the top tier of student leaders at the University of Houston, and I am so proud of your service and leadership, both on campus and in the Houston community.
Thank you for your service to the University of Houston. As a campus community, we are grateful for your initiative to get involved, to make a difference, and to enhance the quality of campus life for your fellow classmates. A special thank you to those whose efforts contributed to the greater Houston community through your demonstrated commitment to make a positive impact on those around you. Our student leaders exemplify the ideals, spirit and values the University of Houston holds dear.
Once again, congratulations and thank you for your distinguished representation of the University of Houston, and we look forward to seeing your bright future unfold.
Visit the Leadership & Legacy Awards Campus Leaders Ceremony website for detailed descriptions and past award recipients.