Thrive Student of the Year

Olivia Bayard
As we know, the Wake Forest University Thrive Initiative is about much more than physical health. It is an eight-dimensional balancing act that – when maintained properly – leaves us best able to cope with adversity, build rewarding relationships and live with a sense of purpose. This student exudes all that the Thrive Campaign stands for. This individual is truly a standout student leader in wellbeing. This person has served as the co-president of the Women in Economics club and on the President’s Commission on Race, Equity and Inclusion. They are also a Resident Advisor, a member of Can I Poet, and are involved in many other student organizations. They have developed and contributed to new initiatives within the Women’s Center that helps all students, especially women, focus on their financial wellbeing.

Thrive Organization of the Year

Wake Forest EMS
This organization promotes the ethos of Thrive by continuing their hard work and dedication despite the pandemic. Based on the importance of this organization to the safety of the campus community, there was no way this group was suspending its activities and moving to a virtual format. They have continued to be a resource for the Wake Forest community, always taking on more responsibility and putting the needs of the community first. This year’s recipient of the Thrive Organization Award is Wake Forest Emergency Medical Services.

First Year Student Leader

Nick Dowling
This first-year student was appointed to a senatorial position in Student Government and worked to create safe in-person events for the community. This was done in response to hearing from other first year students their desire for increased events that help create belonging and engagement. In addition, they are involved in the Army ROTC program and the First-Year Sustainability Leadership Group. As a part of the First-Year Sustainability Leadership Group, they helped launch the Green Dorm Room challenge which brought together members of the first year class through a common initiative. Also, they were a part of creating the Youth-Engagement committee: a group dedicated to creating interactive programs, especially related to environmental education, for elementary and middle school students.

Outstanding Emerging Leader

Jessica Schmidt & Meredith Power
This award has two fantastic recipients!

Jessica Schmidt is the co-chair of the Student Government Public Relations Committee and worked with the Learning Assistance Center and Disability Service to sponsor the first ever Academic Resources Awareness Week. They sought out ways to engage and collaborate with the Wake Forest community and are committed to constantly improving the Wake Forest experience for all Deacs. Their collaborative efforts included working with the Office of Academic Advising, ZSR, Learning Assistance Center & Disability Services, the Math/Stats Center, Writing Center, Biology Center, Chemistry Center, Student Advisors, and more. Additionally, they are heavily involved in a variety of organizations including Student Government, Old Gold and Black, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, the Speaking Center, Office of Academic Advising peer leader, and more. (Jessica is not pictured.)

Meredith Power works quietly out of the limelight. They are the Office of Sustainability’s First-Year Leadership Assistant and they have been integral in helping this group of 28 first-year students become better educated and better prepared to lead their peers in producing positive change. They successfully implemented a program for Sustainability Leadership Group members to give “mini presentations.” This allowed the students to not only educate each other, but also gain public speaking experience. They also helped restructure the Sustainability Leadership Group program as a whole, as our initial format of teams based on residence halls was rendered less effective by COVID restrictions.

Ripple in the Pond

Lauren Robertson
This award is available to any undergraduate student or group of students whose act or acts create connections, or “ripples” which acknowledge our humanity, and thereby advance our community. This student has dedicated their time at Wake Forest to building educational opportunities for underserved students. Most recently they have served as the Assistant Program Director for Skip Prosser Literacy Program’s READ Challenge (SPRC). Despite the program’s growing impact, they saw an opportunity to further elevate student engagement and enthusiasm for reading by developing the Skip Prosser Ambassador Program. They have also interned with non-profit organizations to work on the educational achievement gap.

Sophomore Student Leader

Pilar Agudelo
This individual has dedicated time and effort to improving the Wake Forest community in a variety of ways. Through their roles as an Resident Advisor, Co-manager for the General Wellbeing Peer Educators, co-chair for the Student Government’s Diversity and Inclusion committee, and being an assistant on the volleyball team, this student has quickly created wide avenues for positive change. With their persistent work, dedication, and constant effort, they have helped launched the inaugural Safer Sex Express initiative. This recipient also has worked closely with the Office of Wellbeing to update the mandatory sexual health education workshop for all incoming students.

Cornerstone Award

Jessie Birnbaum
The cornerstone award recognizes a student who has positively influenced the University community from behind the scenes without seeking recognition and does so with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to bettering the Wake community. This individual is the epitome of a student who, in being dedicated to the success of their organization, has positively impacted the Wake Forest Community with little fanfare. As an example, they took on chairing the MazalWAKE event during 2020, helping double the attendance of the event. This student also serves as the President for Hillel, the Jewish student group. They have created transition plans and have taken on the role of First Year Engagement Chair. In addition,they were the first ever L’Dor V’Dor Chair, our intergenerational program with the elders of Temple Emanuel, Winston-Salem, during which they raised many funds for local food banks.

LGBTQ+ Leadership

Leilani Fletcher & Mel Davis
This award is going to two deserving recipients!

Leilani Fletcher has been involved in creating Lavender Menace, the Anti-Racism Coalition, and developing new programs across campus. They published an op-ed last year illuminating the mental health challenges for LGBTQ+ students during the pandemic. They were selected for the Victory Institute’s Congressional Internship, a program which brings undergraduate leaders to Washington, DC for a summer of leadership training and a congressional internship with a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus. They are determined and multifaceted in their expertise.

Mel Davis served as the sole undergraduate representative on a University-wide Task Force on Names, Gender Markers, and Data Systems. They were also a key player in the development of our university’s First Year Gender Neutral Housing Program. Selected as a Fellow to work on a film, they played an instrumental role in the creation of a documentary, A Love Supreme: Black, Queer, and Christian in the South, dedicated to uplifting Black Christian LGBTQ+ voices across the U.S. South. They have an extensive volunteering record and create an impact wherever they go. (Mel is not pictured.)

Contribution to Student Life Award

This award recognizes Junior and Senior students who have significantly contributed to the improvement of the quality of student life during their time at Wake Forest. Criteria includes: Specific contributions to student life through involvement in campus activities, academic initiatives, student governance, community service, leadership and their pursuits to support and empower their peers.

This year’s recipients include: Alleya Hutchins, Ally Deak, Ally Swartzberg, Andrew Logan, Caroline Walker, Cele Daly, Cole McNamee, Emily Potts, Isaiah Little, Kyle Blackburn, Michael Jurgens, Miles Middleton, Nate Seegal, Rebecca Walker, Rue Cooper, Sarah Hong, Victoria Oduwa, Victoria Parker, and Zoe Walling.

Junior Student Leader

Leilani Fletcher
Leilani has made outstanding contributions to Wake Forest. They were a driving force in creating the organization, Lavender Menace. This student also helped found our campus Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC), which they then helped transition into an advocacy group. Working in tandem with other student leaders, they organized a public forum for students of color which garnered media attention across our region. They have organized and led a campus-wide event, “Honoring Strength, Resolve and Legacy” which celebrated the 50th anniversary of African American women integrating residence halls at Wake Forest. This individual tirelessly looks for new ways for how their organizations can broaden their horizons. Their nominator has stated, “She is also the most gracious student with whom I have ever worked, always recognizing and honoring the contributions of those around her.”

Living our Values Award

Mia Williams
This award is presented to the student who exemplifies personal character, a genuine care and concern for fellow students, as well as a selfless commitment to the betterment of others in the community. Mia is currently the director of Culture and Community for Student Union. They have helped start a weekly event with Student Union called Cultural Food Pop-Up to help students learn about different foods around the world. This student is now the upcoming president of Student Union for the next academic year. This individual is also a Resident Advisor, helping guide first-year students through their time at Wake. Our recipient is said to be able to brighten anyone’s day with their glowing character and makes everyone feel loved and welcomed. They planned events in a way that will get the community together. This person embraces Pro Humanitate and lives our values loudly.

Bridge Builder

Myah Hobgood & Weihan Wang
This award went to two individuals!

Myah has worked to establish and support connections between individuals and/ or groups to create a sense of belonging in the Wake Forest Community. They hold several roles such as being an Resident Advisor, Vice President and Treasurer for the their sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Supervisor at the Wake Forest Call Center, President’s Aide, Vice President of the Black Student Alliance, Treasure of the National PanHellenic Council, and are a member of the Equitable Accountability Workgroup. In all these roles, they try to bring new perspectives and support to their peers.

Weihan works tirelessly on bridging the gap between cultures and communities on campus. They are a member of the Chinese Student and Scholars Association and became the Public Relations chair. During fall 2020, they hosted the “Chat with Campus Leader” event as a student moderator with ISSS on Zoom. They are also working with other students on creating a podcast series to represent parts of Wake Forest’s Asian community. They are committed to sharing their story in order to look for common ground with others to build cultural awareness and understanding.

Women’s Leadership Award

Imani Butler
Imani has made a huge impact on campus this year with her visionary program, “Detangling Doubts” and her work on the Women’s Center’s G-chat programming. They are a student program coordinator in the Women’s Center, and developed a multi-session educational and community building program centered around Black women and hair. She involved several campus partners including the LGBTQ+ Center, the Intercultural Center, Sister Circle, and the Black Student Alliance to ensure that the event was inclusive and well attended.

Diversity Trailblazer Award

Emilia Migliaccio
Emilia is president of the Student Athlete-Advisory Committee at Wake Forest. They have been described by Associated Athletic Director Ashley Wechter as “the most motivated and organized S.A.A.C. President” she’s ever worked with. Her selfless leadership and devotion to the “pro humanitate” motto, speaks to her character as a well-rounded leader, scholar, servant and athlete. They have been on the frontlines working to create a welcoming community at Wake Forest.

Chinundet-Crowe Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Maya Dalton
Maya is from Fairmont, West Virginia, majoring in Politics and International affairs and minoring in statistics and communication. She has exemplified leadership in multiple areas, such as serving as the Vice President of Member Development for Alpha Delta Pi, student marketing director in the Wellbeing Center, student advisor, leadership council member, tour guide, Campus Life Action Committee (CLAC) Member, Culture of Respect Collective (CORE) Team Member, P.R.E.P.A.R.E. Peer Educator and Assistant External Relations Chair and co-president and publicity for the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Senior Student Leader

Emilia Migliaccio
Emilia has accomplished so much in her four years at Wake Forest. She is president of the Student Athlete Advisory committee and have shown leadership and a commitment to justice, helping spearhead the mandating of Diversity and Inclusion training for all athletes, coaches, and staff within the athletic department. Additionally, this person registered 99% of student athletes to vote. They are also committed off campus, helping enhance the Skip Prosser Read Challenge for fourth graders in Forsyth County.

Outstanding Student Leader

Kate Pearson
Since arriving at WFU, Kate has been an active part of, and in many cases led, many racial equity initiatives on our campus. Perhaps most notable is their work with our campus Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC). They were one of the first and only students to serve on the Presidential Commission on Race, Equity, and Community and was selected by the Provost’s Office to serve on a WFU delegation to Villanova University for a conference for universities grappling with institutional racism. They have been an aide to the Associate Provost for Diversity, President of the University and Dean of Students. Their nominator states that they are “an expert in building bridges. Put her in a room with people who disagree, and she can find common ground.”

Campus Partner of the Year

Paul Whitener, Assistant Director of Academic Technology, Information Systems in WakerSapce
Paul has proven over and over again how dedicated he is to his job, seen in the countless hours outside of normal working hours to help plan, set up, and run extracurricular events with STU. They always give anything that they can to help reduce costs for events such as providing wood or paint pots. They have been described as the easiest person to collaborate with and as always working for the betterment of campus. They have helped students with many projects, being firm but kind in following COVID regulations. They are described as wonderful to work with and as an absolutely outstanding person.

Advisor Achievement Award

Nathan Peifer, Campus as Lab Program Coordinator & Campus Garden Manager – Office of Sustainability
During what can only be described as one of the most challenging years for a professional anywhere, this person has risen to that challenge and excelled. They are the Campus Garden Manager and also facilitate engaged learning for sustainability at Wake Forest. Their passion for sustainable agriculture is infectious and their warm, approachable leadership style creates opportunities for students to join him in that passion. This person is described as a student advisor who embodies the characteristics that so many students need- expertise, mentorship, direction, approachability and joy.

Diversity Education Award

Mia Williams
The Diversity Education award recognizes a student or group that has deliberately sought out opportunities to learn more about diversity, equity, inclusion, and intercultural competencies as a means of improving themselves on an individual and organizational basis. This award is going to an individual who has collaborated with multiple organizations for the weekly cultural food pop-up events. This event has quickly gained popularity and recognition in the student body as well as offers an inclusive environment to students of color on Wake Forest campus. It allows for the student population to learn about various cultures outside of their own.

Collaboration of the Year

Deacon Dhamaal & Student Union – Bollywood Dance Event
This collaboration was a huge success both in terms of turn out and engagement. People danced while being socially distanced under a tent and learned about a culture they might not have been familiar with. Dancing is a way of uniting people and this event provided Wake students the opportunity to learn while having fun. Take home samosas were a fan favorite as everyone got a taste of South Asian food and music.

Organization of the Year

Student Union
In a year where absolutely nothing was certain and guidelines were constantly changing, this organization has come out the other end thriving. Despite being caught in a rotation of advisors, no graduate advisor, having less than our normal budget, and operating in a half-virtual world, they will have produced roughly 105 events by the end of the year. In addition to this, they pivoted quickly and seamlessly. They have helped other groups become successful too – both through their success in planning trivia and films which has now become a template for student engagement and through our collaborations with other groups. There were many events that gave opportunities for the students of the community to get together, collaborate, meet new people, be active on campus, find relief from everyday stress, and more. They were able to create virtual events such as trivia Tuesday every week and movie Friday. Big events such as Fall Fest and aWake All Night are traditional events that they were able to bring to life during the uncertainties of this year.