Student Achievement Award

An undergraduate or graduate student who graduated/will graduate between August 2025 and May 2026.

You may nominate more than one student.

We want to know about their time at UCCS

• How have you worked with the student?
• Do they stand out among other students?
• Has the student overcome adversity over the course of their UCCS journey?
• Have they invested time and effort above expectations?
• Have they had an impact amongst the UCCS and/or greater Colorado Springs community?

*this award is allotted for up to two recipients

The students (2) selected for the Student Achievement Award will:

• Receive a plaque and a $500 stipend.
• Recognition at the UCCS Campus Awards Ceremony.
• Speak at one of the two Spring Commencement Ceremonies.

In accepting this award, the students agree to attend the UCCS Campus Awards and Commencement Ceremonies. Both students are also required to speak at either the AM or PM Commencement Ceremony (see below).

• If two students from the same college are awarded, the student with the highest rubric rating and vote will speak at their college ceremony.
• The other student awardee will then speak at the other ceremony.
• This is NOT a college based award. 

1. Fill out the application. Submit your nomination between February 18 - March 16 of 2026.
2. Collaborate with the student for additional documentation as they know their experience best.
   1. Encourage them to write a personal statement for consideration. Some ideas for a personal statements would be:
      1. Describe a situation in which you had a positive influence on a UCCS peer, colleague, professor, etc.
      2. Describe a setback at school and/or life that you experienced during your time at UCCS.
      3. How did the outcome affect you? How did you overcome?
      4. Only share what you are comfortable with and note that only the Student Affairs Committee will read these.
3. Provide letter(s) of support. Enlist others to provide letters.
4. Be sure to include all the ways the student was involved on and off campus; clubs, employment, volunteerism, starting a new program, a student research project, lab assistant, etc.

*In 2009 the recipient(s) of this award became speaker(s) at the spring commencement Ceremonies, 2013 UCCS switched to two spring ceremonies (AM/PM), and the spring 2020 and 2021 ceremonies were held virtually due to the pandemic.

2025              Aiyanna Quinones (morning) and Madeline Metzger (afternoon)

2024              Christian Ruiz (morning) and Celine Habimana (afternoon)

2023              Aja Zamundu (morning) and Seth Lindsey (afternoon)

2022               Hadeel Khammash (morning) and Melia Qualls (afternoon)

2021               Gwen Rosenkrantz (virtual ceremony)

2020               JayJay Porcadilla and Abigail Solis (virtual ceremony)

2019               Victoria Asuquo (morning) and Ryan Dobbs (afternoon)

2018               Nayda Benítez (morning) and Justin McConnell (afternoon)

2017               Mykinthia Ebron (morning) and Nicole Chung (afternoon)

2016               Christopher Roth (morning) and Tanweer Saleem Baig (afternoon)

2015               Dylan Shuster (morning) and Matthew Prichard (afternoon)

2014               Chris Richey (morning) and Paige Wilson (afternoon)

2013               Maria Tobin (morning) and Jesse Perez (afternoon)

2012               Mary Commerford

2011               Benjamin Jourdan

2010               Caleb Rainey

2009               Michael Reyes

2008               Kami Stum

2007               Emily Cowhick

2006               Amy McDowell

2005               Candice Brandon

2004               Philip Willburn

2003               Sarah Sosbe

2002               Amy Sanchez

2001               Vanessa Rae Jones

2000               Anthony J. Cordova

1999               Regina A. Lewis

1998               David Dugan

1997               Pati Denham

1996               Robert C. Stelle

1995               Laura Martinez

1994               John Burbach

1993               Stephen Ludwig

1992               Laura DiNapoli

1991               Melissa Rowberg

1990               Ray Kolbe

1989               Rebecca Shields

1988               Groff Schroeder

1987               Cate Wilson

1986               Evelyn Sullivan

1985               Paula Thornton

1984               Carolyn Clawson

1983               Paula Makowsky

1982               Charles Chambon

The 2025 - 2026 committee is composed of:

• Amanda Allee - Assistant Vice Chancellor Student Support and Engagement
• Alex Baker - Interim Dean of Students and CARE Team, Office of the Dean of Students
• Chrissie Bailey - Assistant Director, Wellness Promotion
• Dannielle Sparks - Assistant Director, Financial Aid
• Orlando White – Associate Director, Residence Life & Housing
• Selina Jacobs - Benefits Processing Coordinator, Veteran and Military Affairs
• Valerie McClinton - Assistant Director, Academic Advising 
• Wendi Clouse - Chief Strategist for Enrollment and Operations, Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs 
• Whitley Hadley - Director of the MOSAIC Office at UCCS
• Seth Taylor - Office Coordinator, Office of the Dean of Students