Awards and Recipients by Department/Program/Area
Outstanding Student Award in Accounting
William Dempsey
William is an aspiring accountant who has been enrolled in Rhode Island College’s accounting program since spring 2020. In addition to his studies, he participated in student organizations on campus and took on a couple of leadership roles as well. These include the President and Treasurer of the Accounting Association, a one-year term as Comptroller for Student Community Government (SCG), and serving on the SCG elections and finance commission. Outside of RIC, he worked part-time for UPS and Ocean State Job Lot.
William’s future plans include earning his Master’s in Accountancy Degree at RIC and gaining employment in the private sector with the ultimate goal of becoming either a controller or CFO.
James Houston Award in Anthropology
Haley Teodoro
Haley is from East Providence, where she went to East Providence High School. She spends most of her time with her dog Thea, and enjoys hiking, getting outside, staying active, and reading fantasy novels. She is also a proud first generation graduate and is eager to pursue graduate studies in anthropology.
Mary Ball Howkins Art History Award
Myra Lendrum
Myra Nichole Lendrum studies art history and visual culture about gender, globalization, Latin American studies, postcolonial theory, and politically charged imagery. A Rhode Island native, Myra received writing awards in high school and at RIC her work includes essays on a Baroque painting of a meat stall, an 18th-century dollhouse, Roman floor mosaics, prints about Black liberation, and the Virgin of Guadeloupe. Currently, Myra interns at the Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art archiving books. This May, she is on track to graduate magna cum laude and will spend her summer as a Mellon curatorial intern in contemporary art at the RISD Museum.
Studio Art Award
Samantha Lowder
Sam Lowder was born in 2001 in Providence, Rhode Island. In her time at Rhode Island College, she will receive her BFA degree with concentrations in ceramics and painting. She minored in art history and received college and departmental honors. After graduation, she intends to pursue an MFA in studio art.
Elvis Rodriguez
From his first classes in the Art Department Elvis has been a student who stands out, perusing his own artistic ambitions while also fostering camaraderie with his classmates. After taking a break from classes to take advantage of professional opportunities, Elvis returned with a revitalized sense of purpose. He threw himself into the task of using skills gained in introductory classes to make art with more personal meaning. The sculptures he created are an intriguing and beautiful series made of welded steel, fabric, plaster, and personal items. His work addresses issues of personal identity, sexuality and family history.
Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) Excellence Award
Amanda Forget
Prior to Rhode Island College, Amanda Forget says she had lots of interests but little understanding of how to apply them to a career field. She was admitted to the Alpha cohort of the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Social Services in spring 2022. She says her BPS program encompassed everything she needed in a degree. Leveraging her AmeriCorps and Serve RI experience and pairing it with her BPS, she is looking forward to where this will take her next.
W. Christina Carlson Award
Jakob Mastalerz
Jake has worked several years on a research project using molecular biology techniques to study the role of a specific gene, called alx4b, in the development of iridophores in zebrafish. Iridophores are groups of cells that reflect light and form colored patterns in many animals. Although zebrafish and humans are very different, studying molecules and cells in the fish can provide important clues about how cells migrate and change in human diseases such as cancer. Jake collected and analyzed research data that will be a major part of a scientific publication for the project. His research mentor, Dr. Larissa Patterson, describes Jake as "an exemplary research student, always willing to try new things".
Theodore Lemeshka Award and Bertha Christina Andrews Emin Award (Academic Excellence)
Madisyn Turcotte
Madisyn has received the Lemeshka Award and Bertha Christina Andres Emin Award in recognition of academic excellence. She works as an EMT and still maintains a perfect GPA as she graduates from the Biology program.
Certificate of Excellence - Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Serena Forte
For her outstanding performance in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, Serena has earned the Certificate of Excellence award. Her commitment to the sonography profession has been inspirational. Serena was the first student to rotate through a new clinical location, and the impression she made was overwhelmingly positive. She has shown unwavering motivation and determination to becoming a high-quality sonographer all while being a dedicated member of the Rhode Island College Women’s Soccer team. Serena possesses the necessary attributes of becoming a successful sonographer as she always exhibits patience, kindness, and empathy. She is truly an asset for her patients, team, and the sonography profession.
Certificate of Excellence - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Amber Dickson
Amber's determination to succeed in both the classroom and clinical environments, sets her apart as a distinguished student. Amber approaches challenges with unwavering determination while maintaining a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity. Her enthusiasm for gaining more experience in the clinical setting is evident, and her eagerness to learn is truly inspiring.
Amber serves as a shining example of the power of hard work, perseverance, and a genuine passion for one's field of study. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and make valuable contributions to the medical imaging profession. This award is a testament to her exceptional abilities and her dedication to excellence.
Certificate of Excellence - Nuclear Medicine Technology
Gianna DeFusco
Gianna DeFusco is being honored with a Certificate of Excellence for her high academic performance in the Nuclear Medicine Technology program. Gianna continuously demonstrated high academic and clinical performance throughout the program. Her dedication to patient care and passion for nuclear medicine showed in every aspect of her educational experience. Clinical faculty used the following words to describe Gianna: “consistent, reliable, always willing to learn, and great with patients”. Gianna will be a great asset to the field of Nuclear Medicine.
Certificate of Excellence - Radiologic Technology
Allyson Hood
Allyson Hood has earned the Certificate of Excellence Award for her outstanding performance in the Radiography program. She has demonstrated immense growth throughout the program. Allyson’s dedication to her studies and improving her skills are unparalleled. Her passion for the field is evident to all who meet her. Every day, Allyson brings that same passion and energy to her work and studies. It is without a doubt that Allyson will be an asset to the field and a role model to future students and technologists alike.
Eleanor M. McMahon Award
Anna Vygoder
Anna Vygoder’s interest in pursuing Justice Studies was solidified after an internship with the Lincoln Police Department during her sophomore year. In 2023, Anna was chosen as Soldier of the Year, and in 2024, she was named Swimmer of the year, all while conducting research and writing her honors thesis titled, “The Connection Between Public Misconceptions and the Portrayal of Immigrants Through News Media Outlets,” which she recently presented at a conference in Washington, D.C. In the 2024-2025 academic year, Anna plans to complete her master’s degree in Justice Studies at RIC. Afterwards she will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Communication Achievement Award - Media Communication and Advertising
Raymond Baccari
Throughout his time in the Media Communication concentration, Raymond has been an exemplary student both in terms of intellectual ability and work ethic, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a stellar GPA and Departmental Honors. He has also demonstrated great maturity and responsibility, emerging as a leader on campus. During his time at RIC, Raymond worked for Anchor TV and The Anchor Newspaper, eventually becoming General Manager and Editor-In-Chief, respectively. To cap off his time as a student, Raymond created a wonderful 50-minute documentary for his Senior Honors Project called "Gen Z: Ready to Govern," which explores the emerging political impact of Generation Z. Raymond’s post-graduation goal is to work in television news, and he is already well on his way.
Communication Achievement Award - Public and Professional
Liam Clancey
Liam Clancey is a motivated student, an attentive learner, and a personable and charismatic communicator. Liam has excelled in his courses at Rhode Island College and has completed his Bachelor’s degree in Public & Professional Communication with an exceptional GPA. During his time at RIC, Liam also maintained two positions at the Newport County YMCA as a Youth Sports Coach and Life Skills Employee. From his experiences working at the YMCA, he has become interested in pursuing a career in public service. More specifically, Liam hopes to work as a firefighter for his beloved community of Middletown, Rhode Island
Communication Achievement Award - Speech, Language and Hearing Science
Madison Floyd
As a Speech, Language, and Hearing Science student, Ms. Floyd actively engages in every class discussion and has one of the highest GPAs in her graduating class. Madison has also successfully sought out and achieved merit-based financial scholarships at RIC. Recently, Madison has been accepted to multiple top-tier graduate programs in the field.
Richard A. Howland Computer Science Award
Sean Parks
Sean Parks is the department’s choice for the prestigious Richard A. Howland Computer Science Award. Sean is on track to graduate with the highest GPA in the computer science discipline. Sean’s achievements extend far beyond the classroom. He has worked as a GenCyber teaching assistant for the last two years. He has helped run two cybersecurity summer camps for 50 students and has taught cybersecurity and represented Rhode Island College at several high school cyber (CAE and GenCyber) events and computer science (CS4RI) events. He has also trained several new teaching assistants to ensure the success of GenCyber continues.
Outstanding Student Award in Computer Information Systems
Vy Phuong Mai
Vy completed a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and a Minor in Data Science, earning an A in all her CIS courses. During the Summer of 2023, she was selected by CIS faculty to participate in Brown University's Office of Information Technology Internship Program. She proudly represented RIC, alongside students from Brown University and several other local colleges/universities. As a student during the pandemic, Vy chose to continue studies, instead of completing her degree early, and pursued a double major in Finance. She was extremely successful, also earning high GPAs in Finance and overall.
Outstanding Student Award in Economics & Finance
Vy Phuong Mai
Vy Mai has been an all-around exceptional student during her time at RIC, from the very first class she took to her final semester. She is currently completing a double major in Finance and Computer Information Systems and a minor in Data Science, achieving a near perfect GPA. She is a portfolio manager in the department’s Student Managed Investment Fund managing $200,000 of actual funds together with a small group of invited students. She is also a candidate for Departmental Honors in Finance exploring the current and exciting topic of whether the financial performance of S&P 500 companies are affected by their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) profiles, measured by their ESG scores. Her Finance professors have no doubt Vy will be a leader in whatever path she chooses to follow and wish her the best.
Jacob Lubic
Jacob Lubic has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance in his Economics courses. He is a double major in Economics and Finance and a candidate for Departmental Honors in Economics. His research project is titled: “How Macroeconomic Trends Affect Returns on the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow-Jones Indices.” He was also a portfolio manager in the department’s Student Managed Investment Fund where a small group of invited students collaborate to manage a portfolio of approximately $200,000. Jake’s attendance, attention, persistence, and participation were exemplary, and the latter has enriched both his peers and his professors. Furthermore, he exhibited passionate dedication to learning which was reflected in the high-quality work he produced that consistently ranked among the best, whether it be a homework for an introductory course or an Honors level independent research project. Jake has gained the admiration and respect of his Economics professors who wish him every success on his journey to the real world.
Mary Alice Grellner Educational Studies Senior Award
Autumn Messier
Autumn Messier is from Cranston, Rhode Island and is the first person in her family to go to college as a result of the guidance and support in her life, especially her grandmother who immigrated from Italy at nine-years old. She is the eldest of two significantly younger siblings, which has influenced her passion and desire to teach middle school. Her love and curiosity for education influenced her to complete two honors projects in the Fall of 2023. Her project in the Department of Education has pushed her to analyze identity development in young adolescents and opened her curiosity even further. She hopes to pursue a teaching job in a Middle School English Class in the fall and plans to eventually go back to school for a master's degree in educational leadership and a PhD.
Katherine Murray Prize
Rachel Sassi
Rachel Sassi grew up in West Greenwich, Rhode Island and is currently pursuing her greatest ambition of becoming a high school English teacher. As a teacher candidate of Rhode Island College, she worked to bring joy and energy given to elementary and secondary level classrooms throughout her practicum courses. She was inspired to take this path by the four years she spent working with children at the Westwood YMCA. As she moves forward as an educator, her heart lies in creating a classroom space that uplifts the voices and identities of all students.
Jennifer S. Cook Award
Jessica Carreiro
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Jessica proudly embraces her Colombian heritage as a bilingual individual fluent in Spanish and English. While her journey began as an MLL student, she discovered a passion for literature and nurturing others, which pushed her into the realm of secondary education with a concentration in English. Outside of the classroom, she finds joy in supporting her few MLL students, ensuring they thrive both academically and culturally.
Beyond teaching, her interests span from being a dedicated cat lover to exploring unique destinations around the globe. She is also drawn to working with adult MLL learners and enjoy the versatility of substitute teaching, which allows her to engage with diverse communities and inspire lifelong learning.
Elementary Education Award
Nathan Boisclair
Nathan Boisclair is a Rhode Islander, born and raised, passionate about Rhode Island’s future. He has many interests in business, law, English, and Education. He is involved in The Boys and Girls Club, tutoring, and is president of Kapa Delta Pie at RIC. He organized events galvanizing the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development community. Nathan's patience and empathy create a safe space where every child feels valued and empowered to learn. By awarding such a graduating senior, the Elementary Education faculty acknowledge the dedication it takes to embark on this rewarding yet challenging career path - one through which he will inspire and make a lasting impact on future generations.
Sister Mary Francis Ryan, R.S.M. Early Childhood Education Award
Kayla Vadeboncoeur
Kayla Vadeboncour attended RIC full-time while also working at CVS. She feels that she has gained a lot of valuable skills and knowledge that she can apply to her current substitute position. The hands-on experience from her clinical and students teaching experiences allowed her to gain confidence in her practice and was able to apply what she was learning in her coursework.
Jesslyn Biron
Jesslynn Biron attended RIC full-time while working full-time as a Teacher’s Assistant in a public school. She works with medically fragile children identified with severe intellectual disabilities. Her strengths and passion include working with students with disabilities or learning needs. Jesslynn is very focused on ensuring that all students succeed in their education and development to the best extent possible and will do anything to make that happen. She works to adapt and modify materials to make them appropriate and beneficial for individual student needs. She utilizes data to track any slight changes in performance to document progress over time.
Spencer and Marguerite Hall Award
Thalia Guardarrama
Thalia Guardarrama graduated in January 2024 with a degree in English-Creative Writing and a minor in film studies. At RIC, Thalia was the Student Graphic Design Manager and president of of RIC Gamer. She achieved honors in English with her thesis, "Transformation as Indoctrination: The Magical Girl in Japanese Anime," and in the summer of 2023, she studied the Japanese language in Tokyo, for which she won a Shinn Study Abroad Scholarship and a Gilman International Scholarship
Jean Garrigue Award
Melodie Goncalves
Of Melodie's Garrigue award-winning portfolio, the outside judge, novelist and poet Tina Egnoski wrote that Melodie "shows a keen awareness of character development and plot movement. With descriptive language and a wealth of sensory detail, the stories unfold scene-by-scene to inevitable and satisfying endings." During Melodie's degree program in Creative Writing, she was also the 2023 winner of the Faculty Creative Writing Award and a participant in the 2023 Summer in England program.
Mark W. Estrin Film Studies Award
Kimberly Roxy Soto
Roxy is the heart and soul of the Film Program. There is currently a joke among students that Roxy's credits on just about every film project should be simply "everything" because they are so quick and eager to volunteer to fill multiple roles—evidence of their desire to learn as much as possible about every aspect of filmmaking as much as their true dedication and camaraderie. Roxy always comes early and stays late to help dress sets and clean up locations before and after filming, and they have been our resident special events photographer and classroom whiteboard doodler.
Health and Physical Education Award
Sandra Giraldo
Though she was never directly deterred from reaching for the stars, Sandra shared that language/cultural barriers and financial hardship more or less shaped her self-perception as a learner. She never imagined she could achieve my goals and dreams. Today, she is an educator and grateful for the challenges that have shaped her. She’s most recently proud of completing her student teaching and that her little cousin (whom she mentored for the past year) recently got accepted into top universities as a pre-med/health-related major. She feels overwhelmingly excited to empower others to achieve what they believe they cannot attain.
Alexander Brown
Alexander Brown is currently on track to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in Wellness and Exercise Science. After Alec added a minor in coaching, he has been diligent in his studies to make the dean’s list every semester in the four years being enrolled at Rhode Island College. This student's greatest academic accomplishment has been earning all A’s in his program courses leading to pursuit of becoming a physical therapist. Applying to graduate school for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is his future plan.
Claiborne deB. Pell Award
Dylan Kelly
Dylan is a bright and dedicated Secondary Ed History major. His professors report he was a important participant to all of his courses and was insightful, engaged, and supportive of other students. He is especially strong at historical research. In all of his history courses at RIC, Dylan earned either a A or A-, including As in all of his U.S. history courses which won him the Claiborne Pell award.
Evelyn Walsh Prize
Jacob Barnds
Jacob has been a critical member of the History Department for the past several years. He's an engaged and insightful participant in his history courses. As president of the RICESS (Rhode Island College Educators of Social Studies) student organization, Jacob has helped create social and academic opportunities for History and Social Studies students. He has forged community in the History Department among students and between faculty, staff, and students.
Helen M. Murphy Award
Anna L. Vygoder
Anna Vygoder is an outstanding student-athlete who has competed in both women's tennis and women's swimming during her career at Rhode Island College. She was named the 2024 Little East Women's Swimmer of the Year, earned three First Team All-Little East honors, bringing her career total to five, and won three individual titles at the Conference Championship.
In women's tennis, Vygoder has been a Little East Sportsmanship Team selection and is a starter at both No. 3/4 singles and No. 3 doubles. Vygoder has been a multiple-time selection to the Little East All-Academic Team and been named a Scholar-Athlete by the R.I. Speaker of the House and House of Representatives.
Vygoder currently in the Army ROTC Program, where she is hoping to commission as an Active-Duty Second Lieutenant next year upon the completion of her master's degree.
John E. Hetherman Award
Cole Podedworny
Cole Podedworny has been a key contributor to the Rhode Island College baseball team's success.
As a designated hitter and outfielder, he has earned First Team All-Little East honors. In 2023, he helped lead the Anchormen to a program-record 30-13 overall record and a 15-1 mark in the LEC as RIC won the Conference's Regular Season Championship.
He has been named to the Little East All-Academic Team and a Scholar-Athlete by the R.I. Speaker of the House and House of Representatives.
Paul Bourget Family Award
Olivia Keyes
Keyes is a six-time National Collegiate Gymnastics Association All-American, earning those awards in the all-around three times, twice on floor and once on beam. As a senior in 2023-24, Keyes was the NCAA Div. III Women's Gymnastics Region 9 Athlete of the Year, the NCGA Senior Athlete of the Year and the NCGA East Region Gymnast of the Year.
She has been the NCGA East Region All-Around Champion three times (2024, ’23, ’22) and earned multiple All-Region awards.
Constance Milbourne Award
Gabriella Picerno
When Gabriella started at Rhode Island College, she made a commitment to her academics and future career. Since then, she has worked hard and shown growth in marketing while also adding a minor in data analytics to educate herself in related fields. While maintaining good grades, she was part of a group on campus called Sojourn, and with this group is where she spent most of her free time outside of learning. Through this group, she was given countless opportunities to give back to the community, which is something she holds so much value for. She also had the opportunity to serve the community of En Vivo in Valencia, Spain over spring break during her senior year. She looks forward to being able to apply her marketing and data analytics skills in any future position and also being able to continue giving back to the community.
John Silva Memorial Scholastic Award
Alyson Paux
Alyson grew up in North Smithfield and graduated from North Smithfield High School in 2021 with a perfect GPA, reflecting her commitment to excellence in all endeavors. Throughout high school and until recently, she worked at her family’s dog grooming business, gaining valuable work experience. Currently, she is an intern associate project manager at Leidos, specializing in benchmarking and program management support. Beyond academics and work, she enjoys staying active, playing soccer, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family. Her goal for the future is to use her management skills and love for food to open a coffee shop that provides healthy meal options.
Outstanding Student Award: Health Care Administration
Katie Palencia
Katie excelled in every course and is expected to graduate with the highest GPA amongst this year’s HCA graduate. She completed an internship with a pediatric practice and loved working in the environment of a medical practice where she was encouraged to take on more and more responsibilities and learned about the administrative side of running a medical facility. Katie loved being challenged as the practice managers encouraged her to do more and do better.
She also received Certification as a Behavioral Health Case Manager after she pursued an additional 60 hour training program where she learned about behavioral healthcare delivery. Her long term goal is to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services.
Christopher R. Mitchell Award
Christian Adams
Christian is completing both a BA and MA in Mathematics with minors in Data Science and History during his 4 short years here at RIC. He completed an honors project with Dr. David Abrahamson in which he studied the infield shift - one of baseball’s most polarizing strategies. With the infield shift now forbidden in Major League Baseball, Christian used vast data to study the impact of the ban. Upon graduation, Christian will begin his studies toward a Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Maryland College Park.
Nelson A. Guertin Memorial Award - Spanish
Amarilys Ovalle
Upon graduation, Amarilys will be a 24-year-old PROUD Latina & first-generation college graduate from Rhode Island College. After five hard working and dedicated years, she will be able to proudly say she has completed degrees in Modern Languages and Marketing. Her career has been already marked by incredible moments from winning the American Eagle Real Change Scholarship for Social Justice to landing a position as a Customer Relationship Advocate at Fidelity. She has loved helping customers and leading young teens through her years at American Eagle & Aerie. She is eager to continue to grow in the customer service field and become a leader at Fidelity. She has always believed that with passion and perseverance, anything is achievable. During her free time, she is blessed to spend time with her 1-year-old baby boy and family. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and connecting with people.
Premio Em Estudos Portugueses
Aleida Gomes
A polyglot speaker of Portuguese, Cabo-Verdean Creole and English, and conversant in Spanish, Aleida Gomes majored with distinction in Portuguese and Lusophone Literatures and Cultures and delved into Psychology. While at RIC she interned in educational fields and researched the Cabo Verdean Language (LCV). She is considering a postgraduate degree to continue her quest to bridge human divides through cultural and linguistic understanding.
Tegu Polyglot Award
Laudi Cabrera Alvarez
Laudi Cabrera Alvarez, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, arrived in the United States at the age of 17 and is currently 24 years old. Despite her language barriers when she arrived in the United States, she managed to learn the language. Due to her efforts to work full-time and be a full-time student, like many other students, she accomplished her goal to be a part of the class of RIC 2024 and is on-track to graduate with a BA in Modern Language.
Peter Jeffrey Archambault Memorial Award
Sierra Candeias
A New England native, Sierra is expected to graduate with a B.A. with majors in both Theatre and English. At RIC, they performed as #25 in the play THE WOLVES, and as Godfrey in NOTHING IS THE END OF THE WORLD EXCEPT THE END OF THE WORLD. They were nominated twice for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship at the American College Theatre Festival. In addition to acting, they have stage managed A CHRISTMAS CAROL...MORE OR LESS, and FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS. Sierra is passionate about education.
Cantor Jacob Hohenemser Award
Holly Dion
Holly came to RIC in 2020 from Somerset MA, and within those four years is expected to complete the requirements to receive a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Music Performance. An outstanding performer and standout in academic work, Holly presented two solo recitals while at RIC, and had leadership roles in the RIC Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble. Their excellence has been recognized in the department by the Pellegrino award for Brass Performance, and the Student Talent Award. Holly plans to attend graduate school in trumpet performance, and is currently deciding between Indiana University, the University of Maryland, and the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
Alice K. Pellegrino Music Education Award
Tessa Bellotti
Tessa came to RIC from Cranston East in 2020 as a Presidential Scholar, and in four years has built up a long list of accomplishments. As a Music Ambassador she played a leading role in introducing new and prospective students to RIC, and for two consecutive years organized a workshop for high school students to help them prepare for All-State music auditions. The music area recognized her contributions from her first year with the Katherine Bryer Kreuger award for outstanding first-year student, followed by the Mary L. Beck scholarship for outstanding vocal student and Bicho Family scholarship for voice. She has been a mentor for younger students in the Music Education program, and plans to go into teaching, either at the elementary level or as a high school choral teacher.
Rhode Island College Theatre Award
Olivia Lancellotta
Olivia is a double major in Communications and Musical Theatre with a Dance minor. She is a recipient of the Hope Scholarship She works in the RIC Ticket box office and is the president of the Theatre Organization. She has appeared in countless theatrical productions including the leading role Allison in Cry Baby, Cabaret, Machinal, Head Over Heels, Spring Awakening, the all female 1776, and in Macbeth.
Yetta Rauch Melcer Dance Award
Yvonne Bessette
Yvonne Bessette, or “YVIE” as her professors and fellow students refer to her, is a double major in Dance Performance and Youth Development. She is the award recipient of the 4-year Helen Forman Scholarship in Dance. Yvie hopes to be a professional performer. Director of Dance, Angelica Vessella, states, “Yvie is an extraordinary dancer, choreographer, performer, scholar and a true professional. Possessing elegance, grace, respect, and compassion for all, she as exemplifies what it means to be a model student.”
In her four years at RIC, she has performed in over 16 RIC dance concerts and 2 musicals including “Head Over Heels” and “Cry Baby” to which she served as dance captain. Yvie has worked with multiple guests artists including David Dorfman (modern dance), Geo Hubela (hip hop), Paula Josa-Jones (modern), Alexandra Beller (modern), Lawrence Jackson (modern), and Marta Renzi (film artist). Yvonne has served for 2 consecutive years as the RIC Dance Company’s Co-Director and social media content coordinator.
Yvonne states, “The RIC dance program and professors have equipped me with valuable life skills and dance experience to set myself up for a successful professional future. My time at RIC has been fulfilling, artistic, and positively challenging. The dance program has provided me with a myriad of opportunities to broaden my horizons personally and creatively, create lifelong connections with peers and professionals, and has opened my eyes to new possibilities both in and out of the dance studio.”
Nursing Awards - Academic Excellence
Zachary Archambault
Zachary is the recipient of the Onanian School of Nursing Academic Excellence Award for a traditional BSN student. Zachary is expected to graduate with a near-perfect GPA and has served as a nursing peer tutor. He has been working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in a local health care facility throughout his nursing program. His professional goals in nursing are advocating for health inequalities and social justice by bringing awareness to social determinants of health and access to healthcare for immigrants and the homeless.
Anne Park
Anne is the recipient of the Onanian School of Nursing Academic Excellence Award for a second-degree student earning a perfect cumulative GPA in the nursing program. In addition to raising three active boys, Anne participated in a variety of activities including Student Nurses Association and peer tutoring. Anne has received multiple scholarships including the Rhode Island Foundation and the Doris Mathewson Awards. Anne currently works as a Student Nurse Intern at the Miriam Hospital and was accepted into their Levinger Clinical Scholars and Nurse Residency Programs upon graduation and will work in the Emergency Department.
Nursing Awards - Service Excellence
Lindsey Manick
Lindsey is the recipient of the Onanian School of Nursing Service Excellence Award. Lindsey has served as President of the Student Nurses’ Association for the past two years. She has facilitated food drives for the on-campus food pantry, clothing drives for those experiencing homelessness, and has supported various school of nursing events. She also serves as the Junior Leader for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and has facilitated a Toys for Tots toy drive and a clothing drive for the campus Career Closet. She has also served as a nursing mentor and peer tutor. Most recently, Lindsey gave testimony at the State House in support of a new NCLEX bill. Lindsey would like to continue to advance her education and plans to work in the emergency room setting upon graduation. She aspires to be a flight nurse.
Nursing Awards - Registered Nurse
Stephany Chinchilla
Stephany Chinchilla is the recipient of the Onanian School of Nursing RN to BSN Academic Excellence Award. Stephany earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Rhode Island College and an Associate of Science in Nursing at Bristol Community College before returning to RIC to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Stephany has an outstanding GPA and has been working full-time as a Registered Nurse at Sturdy Memorial Hospital while earning her BSN degree. As a first-generation student she is passionate and committed to life long learning and will pursue an advanced practice nursing degree in the near future.
Thomas J. Howell Award
Jordan Anderson
Unsure what he wanted to do after high school, Jordan enlisted into the military and served as an Army infantryman. After many grueling years and a deployment, God transformed his life and gave him a newfound desire to learn and serve others, so he decided to go back to college. He was originally a history major at Rhode Island College, but soon discovered his true passion was in Philosophy. He is so grateful for the philosophy students and faculty that have helped cultivate an environment where he is both challenged and inspired to make a difference in this world.
Ronald J. Boruch Award
Ayden Mudd
Throughout his time at Rhode Island College, Ayden has been an outstanding and engaged student. During his senior year, Ayden has been working with Dr. Sarah Knowlton on a research project in environment chemistry entitled "The transport and fate of road salt in Rhode Island freshwater systems". Ayden also received the Friends of the Adams Library First Year Research Prize in 2022 and Outstanding Chemistry Student award from the Rhode Island Section of the American Chemical Society in 2023. Ayden has also served as the treasurer of the Physical Sciences Club. Ayden plans to pursue at Ph.D. in environmental chemistry.
Herbert R. Winter Award for Academic Excellence
Lissette Caro
A non-traditional student with a profound passion for law and government, Lissette is building on the foundation of her associate degree in Paralegal Studies by majoring in Political Science. She is a first-generation college student who embraces her Latina heritage as she navigates the academic world. Balancing her roles as a wife and mother, she is deeply committed to her education, community, and extracurricular engagements. During the spring of 2023, Lissette worked for a state senator's office in the RI legislature. Currently, she proudly serves as the Vice President of the Political Science Club, actively participates in the Pre-law Society, and is a member of the Alpha Beta Epsilon chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Committed to economic and racial equity and ensuring that RI families have the resources they need to raise healthy children, Lissette consistently demonstrates her dedication to excellence and leadership.
Justice Victoria Lederberg Psychology Award
Jennifer Alberti-Silverstein
Jennifer Alberti-Silverstein is an outstanding psychology major who is already making an impact in the field. She worked closely with Dr. Marcotte on several research projects, resulting in her co-authoring a publication in Psychological Reports and presenting their work at an academic conference. She excelled in her coursework and conducted an honor’s project investigating how perceptions of an individual with mental illness can be influenced by the person’s gender. Along with her impressive academics, she also interned with the Elizabeth Buffam Chase Center working with survivors of domestic violence. She aims to pursue a career as a Clinical Social Worker.
Robin K. Montvilo Award in Behavioral Health Studies
Aji Fatou Sanneh
Aji is on track to graduate in May with two degrees, a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Behavioral Health Studies. She has been interning at a community-based substance use agency this spring and has been offered a position within their human resources department. In the summer prior to her senior year, Aji began a research internship at Brown University and this year, she completed independent research through the McNair Program, studying The Influence of Parenting Styles and Religious Salience on Undergraduate Alcohol Use. She hopes to attend graduate school to study Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Joan H. Rollins Community Service Award
Brianna Pizarro
Brianna Pizarro is a dedicated student who is working to make the world a better place. Along with her impressive academic record, she has taken the opportunity to work with multiple populations including children with autism, clients with substance use disorders, and those in emergency hospital settings. She has made significant contributions to the Rhode Island Community through her time, commitment, and willingness to go above and beyond what is required. The Psychology faculty know she will continue to give back and bring a sense of hope to her future clients.
Mary Ann Hawkes Award
Gianna DelMonico
Gianna DelMonico is a First-Generation high school graduate who is well on her way to law school. She is a Justice Studies Major who also has a double minor in political science and philosophy. She has found a passion in serving the RIC community which can be seen through her work in Student Community Government and her role as President of The RIC Pre-Law Society. She will also be speaking at commencement in the coming weeks as the Senior Class President. Gianna is committed not only to serving the college community, but also the Rhode Island Community. Through her service on the Smithfield Town Council and her internship at the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, she has a bright future ahead in public service no matter what field of law she chooses to partake in!
Alessandra Pellicano
Alessandra Pellicano is currently a senior at Rhode Island College pursuing a degree in Justice Studies with an outstanding GPA. Throughout her academic journey, Alessandra has demonstrated dedication and active involvement, highlighted by her impactful internship experience at Rhode Island Family Court. This opportunity provided her with firsthand insight into the workings of the justice system. With a strong commitment to social justice, she plans to use her degree to drive positive change through policy analysis and advocacy work, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and promote equality.
Rachel Filinson Award in Sociology
Devid Depina
David Depina, son of Fred and Fernanda DePina, was born and raised in Cumberland, Rhode Island, before graduating from Cumberland High School in 2020. In high school, he engaged in Varsity Basketball, as well as focused on academic studies. He is anticipating to graduate from Rhode Island College in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies and Sociology. He has also pursued a minor in Psychology. He is extremely passionate about offering individuals second chances in terms of corrections. In the future, he aspires to work in a correctional institution to help him pursue this passion.
Elisa F. Bonaventura Award
Samantha Soares
As the oldest daughter of immigrant parents, since an early age, Samantha always noticed cultural differences and how culture affects one’s educational experience. She has a vision to provide the best education to all students. In her graduate program application essay, she stated, “I am responsible for preparing my students for academic and personal success. By valuing, embracing, and adapting to cultural differences and diversity, I will strive to create a safe and welcoming learning environment”. Since completing her undergraduate degree, Samantha has started the Urban Multicultural Special Education M.Ed. program at RIC, and continues to advocate for multilingual learners and students with exceptional learning needs.
Josephine A. Stillings Award
Jenna Almagno
Throughout her undergraduate studies during which she pursued dual certification in Elementary Education and Elementary Special Education, Jenna consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to working with all students, especially at-risk students and students with special needs. She always went above and beyond in her pursuit of excellence. For example, Jenna was one of a handful of teacher candidates who embraced the opportunity to complete LETRS training, a Right to Read proficiency pathway, and in the final semester prior to student teaching, she notably presented her Capstone Project entitled Connecting the Dots between Assessment and Intervention through a Heightened Awareness of Reader Profiles at the 2023 New England Educational Research Organization’s Annual Conference alongside faculty from esteemed institutions of higher education across New England. Words that come to mind when thinking about Jenna are conscientious, hardworking, collaborative, and kind.
Rose Butler Browne Award
Raymond Baccari
Raymond's leadership on and off campus has set him apart from his peers, but more importantly, his generosity with the network and relationships that have come from that leadership with his peers speaks to his character and integrity. Raymond has demonstrated an ability to connect his passion with his experience at RIC and beyond and in doing so has made a positive impact on his various communities. He served as Editor in Chief of the Anchor Newspaper, single handedly carrying the News section through the pandemic, and rebuilding the team. He served in leadership roles in Anchor TV, also supporting the revitalization of the organization. Raymond coordinated and hosted the most recent Mayoral Debate here at RIC, and as a result was invited to moderate the Governor Debate in 2022. He deepened his work and his contributions as an intern at Channel 6 and guest appearances on PBS's Lively Experiment, where he was the youngest guest.
Bertha Christina Andrews Emin Award (Outstanding Achievement)
Emily Raposo
Emily Raposo is a dedicated member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority here at RIC. Emily is extremely dedicated to her academics while also maintaining involvement on campus. During her time here as an undergraduate she has held many leadership positions in the sorority including President, Vice President of Growth and Vice President of Operations. Emily has also served on Panhellenic Council as Vice President of Recruitment. Philanthropy and community service is something that Emily has a passion for. She has helped raise money and volunteers for several different organizations including The Autism Project, Dress for Success and Girls Who Code. You can find Emily at most college events and programs, and staying engaged and involved as a RIC student.
