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Peggy Ryan Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership

The Peggy Ryan Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership recognizes students who excel academically, perform service to the College community and nation, and represent an exemplary level of accomplishment.

The selection committee for this award consists of leaders in the academic schools and the Office of Student Engagement, as well as students who are former recipients of the award. This committee reads every application, ranks them, and reviews each applicant’s qualifications – which results in these 35 students being honored.

Roy H. Park School of Communications

Kaeleigh Banda, Class of 2026

Bella Bastos, Class of 2026

Charlotte Caucci, Class of 2027

Noah Darling, Class of 2026

Jack DeNick, Class of 2027

Allison Dolan, Class of 2027

Sophie Glassman, Class of 2027

Colleen Golden, Class of 2027

Grace Krug, Class of 2027

Kai Lincke, Class of 2026

Malaika Menezes, Class of 2026

Nicholas Polisi, Class of 2026

Louis Pratt, Class of 2027

Madison Schriver, Class of 2026

Rhiannon Strazisar, Class of 2026

School of Business

Tamanna Ghai, Class of 2027

Angel Pandey, Class of 2027

Brenna Schoenfeld, Class of 2026

School of Health Sciences and Human Performance

Jacob Adams, Class of 2027

Sophia Barone, Class of 2027

Brian Bienus, Class of 2026

Mia Emmi, Class of 2026

Elena High, Class of 2026

Claire Johnson, Class of 2026

Aysia Louis, Class of 2026

Leila Titikpina, Class of 2026

Eliza Warner, Class of 2027

School of Humanities and Sciences

Bee Beckman, Class of 2027

Anusha Bhargava, Class of 2027

Eudmarly Letrois Gédéon, Class of 2027

Ninjin Tumurbat, Class of 2026

Addyson Wells, Class of 2026

School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Caroline Buell, Class of 2026

Hee Jin Cho, Class of 2027

Christopher Rakeman, Class of 2026

Video of this year's recipients of the Peggy Ryan Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership. 

About the Award & Qualifications

Peggy Ryan Williams served as president of Ithaca College from 1997 to 2008. She was a strong advocate for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and community service. Based on these qualities, this award for academic and community leadership was named in her honor. After her tenure at Ithaca College, Dr. Williams has continued to support student leadership on campus and involvement in the community. She is a role model for life-long service to higher education, as demonstrated by her involvement on the board of the American Association of University Women, and her global work with the Women in Leadership in Higher Education Forum.

This award recognizes students who excel academically, perform service to the College community and nation, and represent an exemplary level of accomplishment. The most outstanding students representing the College are selected for this award.

To be considered for this award, a student must:

  • Have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average,
  • Be considered a member of the junior or senior class,
  • Be in good judicial standing and
  • Have made contributions in multiple areas, including:
    • Community service,
    • Involvement and leadership in organizations, and/or
    • Paid positions of a selective nature.

Note: Students are only eligible to win this award once.

Spring 2026 Peggy Ryan Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership Selection Timeline

January 26: Application Opens on IC Engage

February 9: Application Closes at 5:00pm EST

February 13-February 23: All applications are reviewed and award recipients are determined. 

March 9: Award recipients will be notified.