Students Recognized for Academic Excellence and Contributions to RWU Community
The annual Student Achievement Awards honored undergrads, graduate, and law students for their continued dedication, leadership, and on-campus accomplishments.

BRISTOL, R.I. β Roger Williams University highlighted the hard work of dozens of students this weekend at the Student Achievement Awards. The ceremony on May 4 is a time-honored tradition hosted by the Division of Student Life that recognizes dedication, leadership, and on-campus accomplishments. A total of 75 awards were presented at the celebration held in the Campus Recreation Center .
βThe RWU Achievement Awards is a wonderful tradition that our community looks forward to each year,β said Carol Sacchetti, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Programs, Leadership, and Orientation. βIt is wonderful to hear the accomplishments of our students and to be able to honor them with their friends and family in the audience.β
βWe believeβ―that as a result of their experience at RWU, students will go on to meaningfully contribute to thriving and diverse communities,β said John King, Vice President for Student Life.
The ceremony included a moment of silence to remember Paige Moreau, a junior Architecture major who experienced a medical emergency and passed away last month while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. She was later honored with the Class Award for the Class of 2026, which King accepted on her familyβs behalf.
In addition to student awards, Denielle Emans, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Communications, was honored with the Dr. Mark Gould Commitment to Student Learning Award, which is voted on by students and awarded to a faculty member who embodies a commitment to education and their students.
The following students received awards:
The Outstanding Admissions Ambassador Awards recognize and commend students who best reflect the mission and philosophy of the Office of Admission.
Outstanding Admissions Ambassador Awards
Mya DβAntonio β27
Kaylee Jackson β26
Steven Stanzione β26
The Charles J. Kelley Award recognizes a student for outstanding work in health promotion to the RWU community.
Charles J. Kelley Health Service Award
Sophia Gatto β25
The Title IX Violence Prevention & Sexual Assault Awareness Recognition Award honors students who have worked closely with the Title IX office over the past year.
Title IX Violence Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Award
Samuel Filiaggi, Lβ25
The Roger Williams University Sustainability Award recognizes a student who made great strides in promoting sustainable practices within our campus community.
Sustainability Award
Sydney Zobel β26
The Club and Organization Members of the Year awards were created to recognize the efforts of Club and Organization members who continuously went above and beyond their duties.
Club Member of the Year
Hannah Caple β26
Khalil Gooden β25
Organization Member of the Year
Samuel Carter β27
Sage Shuster-Wright β27
The James R. Russo Award is given annually by the Department of Athletics to senior student-athletes who have the highest grade-point averages.
James R. Russo Award for Athletic Academic Excellence
Ruby Hope β25
Ryan Thomas β25
Class Awards honor students of each class year who live out the mission of the university and their love of the community through service to the university.
Class Awards: Class of 2025
Alexandra Cos β25
Jayson Dixon β25
Khalil Gooden β25
Jill Nugai β25
Class Awards: Class of 2026
Paige Moreau β26
Nathan Tassey β26
Amanda Walsh β26
Class Awards: Class of 2027
Ryleigh Costa β27
Hannah Driscoll-Carignan β27
Sarah MacDonald β27
Lily Ward β27
Class Awards: Class of 2028
Lola Bergeron β28
Matthew Maddan β28
Manase Mutshima β28
Dorothy Riley β28
The Intercultural Center Values and Service Award honors students who have demonstrated sustained commitment to the values of the Intercultural Center initiatives through their engagement and service.
Intercultural Values and Service Award
Sherisa Smith β25
The Resident Assistant of the Year Award is given to an outstanding staff member who goes above and beyond their responsibilities.
Resident Assistant of the Year Award
Emily Wildfeuer β27
Commitment to Residence Life & Housing
James Vigar Mβ26
The Peer Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Peer Mentor who demonstrated commitment, reliability, professionalism, and enthusiasm throughout the year.
Peer Mentor of the Year Award
Ronia Clarence β25
The International Student Leadership Award was created to recognize a student for their dedication and commitment to campus internationalization and international engagement.
International Student Leadership Award
Daniel Romero Rodriguez β23, Mβ25
Abida Mohammady β26
The Melissa Carrasquillo Award for Intercultural Citizenship is awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrated exceptional commitment to social justice and inclusion.
Melissa Carrasquillo Award for Intercultural Citizenship
Waldino Joseph β25
Abigail Valenzuela β25
The Student Senate awarded the following scholarships:
Student Senate Scholarship in Activism
Coralee Garcia β27
Amy Howell β27
Tenley Wojt β27
Student Senate Scholarship in Academic Achievement Scholarships
Kurtis Waters β28
Hannah Caple β26
Chelsea King β26
Student Senate Academic Resource Scholarship
Zehra Atay β28
Brianna Carlin β26
Demir Dirik β26
Wanjuki Maina β26
Lindsey Savoie β28
Liam Walter β26
The Dr. J. Harold G. Way Scholarship Award was established in memory of Dr. Harold Way, a former university faculty member from 1969 to 1974. This award is based upon a student's strong academic standing and their contribution to the university community.
Dr. J. Harold G. Way Scholarship
Gabriela Hernandez β27
The Lt. Charles A. Henderson, USN '99 Spirit Award includes a monetary award in memory of Lt. Charles A. Henderson III USN '99. It is awarded to a graduating senior with graduate school aspirations who best and most consistently demonstrates the embodiment of a true scholar.
Lt. Charles A. Henderson Spirit Award
Abida Mohammady β26
Lt. Charles Henderson Outstanding Tutor Award in Writing
Brianna Lotti β25
Lt. Charles Henderson Outstanding Tutor Award in Math
Prabidhi Rana β25
Lt. Charles Henderson Outstanding Tutor Award in Science
Jules Gerstner β25
The Karen R. Haskell Senior Leadership Award is named for former Dean of Students, Dr. Karen Haskell, who fully embraced sustained student leadership and engagement in the campus community.
Dr. Karen Haskell Outstanding Senior Leadership Award
Isabel Cyr β25
Zoey Cormican β25
Tabitha Klaus β25
Matthew Milotakis β25
Sherisa Smith β25
The President's Core Values Medallion recognizes graduating students who best exemplify the core values of the institution.
Presidential Core Medallion
Michael Cifuentes β25
Cathleyn Manfield β25
Lindsay Gaiser β25
Daniel Fontana β25
Waldino Joseph β25
Cassandra Mastroianni β25
Jeremiah Farrell β25
Ruby Hope β25
Emma Hansen β25
Matthew Milotakis β25
Alexandra Cos β25
Chris Persechino β25
Mackenzie Morgenweck β25
Taylor Quinn β25
Zoey Cormican β25
Hannah Ilagan, Mβ25
Andrew Dunphy, Lβ25









