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Silverfield College of Education and Human Services
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Outstanding Students Celebrated at 17th Annual Student Awards Ceremony

On Thursday, April 17, the University of North Florida’s Silverfield College of Education and Human Services (SCOEHS) proudly hosted its 17th Annual Student Awards Ceremony at the Andrew A. Robinson, Jr. Theater. This cherished tradition brings together students, faculty, families and friends to recognize the academic excellence, leadership and service that define our college community.

Each academic program selected students who have gone above and beyond, those who exemplify dedication to their field and a commitment to making a difference. Honorees represented a wide range of programs including Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Counselor Education, ASL/English Interpreting, Sport Management and Disability Services.

The evening also included faculty recognitions, spotlighting exceptional mentorship, scholarly contributions and service that help shape the next generation of educators and leaders.

More than just an awards ceremony, this event is a celebration of perseverance, passion and purpose. It reflects the heart of what makes SCOEHS so special: a community that uplifts one another and believes in the power of education to change lives.

We are incredibly proud of our graduating students and all that they’ve achieved. As they prepare to move forward in their journeys, we can’t wait to see the impact they will make in classrooms, communities and beyond.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and thank you to the faculty, families and friends who continue to support and inspire our Ospreys every step of the way.

2025 Silverfield College of Education and Human Services Student Awards Winners

Undergraduate Student Awards

  • Outstanding Graduating Senior
    • Early Childhood Education: Vanessa Baccigalupi
    • PreK Primary Licensure: Shelby Love
    • Secondary Education: Colin Neely
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Student 
    • Exceptional Student Education: Gabriella Castro
    • Exceptional Student Education: Anna O’Toole
    • Sport Management: Molly Springer
  • Rising Osprey: Abby Carlson, Marc Chapman, Clayton Cummings, Sophia Donnelly, Callie Fields, Faith Gregory, Jaime Hamilton Rodriguez, Jackson Hull, Caitlyn Roy, and Kelsey Swartout
  • Ambassador Award: Gracyn Cromer and Rilencia Moore

Graduate Student Awards

  • Outstanding Graduate Student
    • Disability Services: Iris Fletcher
    • Early Childhood Educational Leadership: Brigette Davis
    • Exceptional Student Education: Emily Will
    • Higher Education Administration: Samantha Feaster, Kaitlyn Minnicks and Indira Willadsen
    • Instructional Technology, Training, and Design: DaJuana Prater
    • M.Ed. in Educational Leadership: Stephanie Gunter and Maegan Lee
    • School Counseling: Lindsay Wilson and Victoria Russo
    • Secondary Education: Paige Orshinsky
    • Sport Management: Sam McBride
  • Outstanding Graduate Research Award
  • Higher Education Administration: Sean Alexander, Samantha Feaster, Brittany Heimer and Kaitlyn Minnicks
  • Thomas A Mulkeen Dissertation Award Dr. Valentina Bongionvanni and Dr. Haley Vogel

College-Wide Student Awards

  • Club Leadership Award
    • Sport Management Club: Molly Springer, Braxton Nenigar and Nick Salomon
    • Education Club: Lauren Forsythe, Khariyah Wilkins, Jalin Gist and Angelita Brickles
  • Ethic of Care Award: Michael Tolzmann
  • Excellence in Academics: Danny Juergensen
  • Inquiry Award: Christopher Friend
  • Vicki Cornett Student Caring Award: Katie Hess
  • Outstanding Service Award Amy Bailey and Brittany Heimer

Faculty Recognition Awards

  • Dr. Katherine M. Kasten Award for Graduate Impact: Dr. Meghan Parkinson
  • Vicki Cornett Faculty Caring Award: Dr. Michael Stultz