Congratulations to our Pillars of Leadership Award Winners!

The three columns of Baird Point and nearby evergreen trees are silhouetted by a bright yellow half-set sun and night blue sky.

Published May 1, 2025

Congratulations to our 2025 Pillars of Leadership Award Recipients! We had over 160 nominations for these awards - a huge congratulations to all who were nominated!

The Pillars of Leadership Award Winners

Formerly known as the LEAD Awards, the Pillars of Leadership Awards are designed to recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership, service, mentorship, and the UB and Buffalo communities.

The Pillars of Leadership Awards Ceremony took place on April 30, 2025. Thank you to all who were nominated and attended, and a special congratulations to our 2025 winners!

Community & Civic Engagement

  • Dorothy M Haas Community Engagement Award - Julian Livingston & Destiny Hopkinson
  • Outstanding Community Impact Award (Undergraduate) - DJ Ruszkowski
  • Outstanding Community Impact Award (Graduate) - Connor Whitney
  • Exceptional Community Partnership Award - Delavan Grider Community Center
  • Visions of Social Justice Award (Undergraduate) - Valerie Juang
  • Visions of Social Justice Award (Graduate) - Ciara Harrington

Dean of Students Positive Impact Award

  • Yugendran T Kannu Sivakumaran

Fraternity & Sorority Life

  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Catherine Mazzola, Sigma Delta Tau
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Chasity Gadsden, Alpha Gamma Delta
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Edward Chiu, Nu Alpha Phi
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Jasmine Thai, Sigma Psi Zeta
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Julia Stawecki, Delta Phi Epsilon
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Kayli Liu, alpha Kappa Delta Phi
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Nick Kane, Lambda Chi Alpha
  • Outstanding Service to the UB Greek Community - Taylor Byer-Mixon, Alpha Sigma Tau

Leadership & Development

  • Exemplary Mentorship Award (Graduate Student) – Zahid Manzar & Alex Berger
  • Exemplary Mentorship Award (Emerging Faculty/Staff) – Shannon Myers & Dr. Adedoyin Inaolaji
  • Exemplary Mentorship Award (Mid-Level Faculty/Staff) – Sarah Schauer & Dr. Sayanti Mukherjee
  • Exemplary Mentorship Award (Senior Faculty/Staff) - Ed Brodka & Dr. Nathan Daun-Barnett
  • Emerging Student Leader Award - Antonia Lestariadi
  • Exemplary Student Leader Award - Alika Turton
  • Innovative Student Leadership Awards – Sarah MacDougall & Anna Szombathy
  • Service Above Self Award (Student) – Sherry Smith
  • Service Above Self Award (Faculty/Staff) - Dr. Kristen Moore
  • UB Pride & Service Awards – Hailey Carrasco & Nathaniel Mark

Student Governance & Organizations

  • Organization of the Year - Alpha Phi Omega
  • Student Organization Officer of the Year (Undergraduate) - Maryam Ijaz
  • Student Organization Officer of the Year (Graduate) - Vaishali Maheshkar
  • New Student Organization of the Year - Sisters in Law
  • Student Organization Collaboration of the Year - Pre-Health Fall Social
  • Student Organization Award for Excellence in Academics and Service - Student Association for Speech & Hearing
  • Student Organization Advisor of the Year - Prashant Sankaran
Learn More About These Winners

For more services and opportunities like this:

Student Engagement

Student Life

University at Buffalo
150 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Email: Contact form

Phone: 716-645-6469