Trinity Celebrates 2026 Student Leadership and Service Awards Recipients

On Friday, March 27, Trinity University celebrated 57 students through the annual Student Leadership and Service Awards ceremony in Parker Chapel. This ceremony recognizes the character, hard work, and success of remarkable Trinity students.

In collaboration with Alumni Relations and Development, the Division of Student Affairs presented nine awards focusing on different aspects of service, leadership, and community. View the photo gallery from the event.

Emerging Student Leader

Honoring first-year, sophomore, or transfer students, this award recognizes students for personal growth and exploration of the unfamiliar through exceptional leadership involvement in their community. 

Recipients:

Isabel Molina 

John De Hoyos 

Kathryn McKinney 

Lucy Nabedrick

Mac Steele 

Madeleine Scheele 

Marlene Kruger 

Mia Mares

Vybhavi "Neela" Raman 

Inclusion & Belonging Award

This award honors students who actively break down barriers and are committed to building a socially just space in the community.

Recipients:

Beyza Yildirim

Gary Sun

Karenna Edwards 

Maria Kaissi

Paloma Collins

Victoria Cardenas

Thurman Adkins “Unsung Hero” Award

Thurman Adkins was a guiding light, embodied the values of personal integrity and fair-minded leadership, and had a calm demeanor that left a mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His commitment to excellence and his genuine care for others set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire generations. This award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify the same unwavering dedication to their communities and the same selfless devotion to creating a positive change that defined Thurman Adkins’ life. Recipients of this prestigious honor demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to service, working tirelessly behind the scenes to uplift and empower others.

Recipients:

Ashlyn Gillespie

Diya Contractor

Halle Hamilton

Lauren Moysis 

Natalie “Tália” Rangel 

Coleen Grissom Continued Commitment & Dedication Award

The Dr. Coleen Grissom Continued Commitment and Dedication Award stands as a timeless tribute to the enduring legacy of a remarkable individual whose life was defined by unwavering dedication to service and profound engagement with her community. This prestigious award commemorates her indelible impact on the lives of those around her and her tireless efforts to create positive change. This award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify the same spirit of service, compassion, and community engagement that defined Dr. Grissom’s life. Recipients of this esteemed honor are those whose substantive contributions and long-term involvement have significantly enriched the fabric of their communities and perpetuated Dr. Grissom’s legacy of positive change.

Recipients:

Braden Dudley 

Hanna Khan 

Isabel Elsisi 

Julie Schwam

Karenna Edwards 

Khushi Kakadia 

Marina Oquendo 

Natalie Kim

Samara Gerstle

Shea Bedminster 

Tigers on the Rise Award

The Tigers on the Rise Award is awarded to future alumni committed to being stewards of Trinity University through leadership and service and are dedicated to paying it forward to those students who come after them. Recipients exhibit strong leadership and organizational skills and show promise to become active and engaged leaders as alumni of the University by serving on boards and planning committees.

Recipients:

Alexis Romero 

Alynn Jimenez Miranda 

Jorge Romero 

Rachel Bell

Heart of Trinity Student Service Award

The Trinity University Board of Visitors and Trinity University Alumni Association Board proudly select and sponsor this award. Student recipients are seniors who have made significant contributions to the Trinity community through service, initiative, and leadership. These recipients have promoted the development of meaningful change and improvement in the campus community.

Recipients:

Alexis Ibarra

Jasmin Sudds

Karenna Edwards

Nina Pollak

The Presidential Award for Excellence

These awards are presented to senior students whose contributions to their communities have been continuous, wide reaching, and of the highest caliber. These recipients have enhanced campus life by acting as role models and creating opportunities for others to lead.

Recipients:

Alessandra Finol

Alexis Ibarra

Alyssa LaGrone 

Ariana Oaxaca

Bocar Diagana

Bryce Dye 

Jasmin Sudds

Jenna Rodriguez

Karine Valle Martinez

Kiara Fernando

Lacey Miller 

Leah Dooling 

Marina Oquendo 

Melina Alvarado

Nina Pollak

Paloma Collins 

The Roman M. Lubetzky KINDness Award

The KINDness award represents the highest award bestowed by the division. This award recognizes a student who embodies and demonstrates the virtue of kindness, as well as a high level of scholarship. The Roman M. Lubetzky Endowment Fund for Kindness seeks to encourage the attributes of kindness and noble behavior as values among Trinity students.

Kingsley Agyeman-Yeboah