From left to right: Back Row: Samantha Cisney, Humza Qureshi, Caitlin Brabblerose, Arden Pegelow, Josie Sheeler, Mia Huffman, Esther Koroma, Sharifa Fatao, Steve Torrejon, Ellie McCutchen, Chancellor Sharon Gaber; Front Row: Vice Chancellor Kevin Bailey, Sonia Birla, Amaree Jones, Taylor Harris, Sydney Corley, Sylvia Sriniwass, AnaCarolyna Harris, Amber Wilkins, Bryan Lopez Villanueva, Juan Pizarro, Kaitlin Klotz
By Wyatt Crosher, Assistant Director of Communications for Student Affairs
Shining a spotlight on student excellence, UNC Charlotte presented awards to several students during its annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 28. Since 2014, nearly 150 students have earned these prestigious accolades, each one recognized for their exceptional contributions and accomplishments.
This year, 20 students who made extraordinary contributions to the University through their academic and co-curricular pursuits were recognized at the ceremony. Of those, 15 earned University Commendations for Leadership and Service, while the remaining students received the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award, the Chuck Lynch Leadership Award, one of two Chancellor’s Awards and the Bonnie E. Cone Leadership Award.
University Commendation for Leadership and Service
The University Commendations for Leadership and Service are presented to an elite group of graduating seniors in recognition of their outstanding leadership and commitment to the campus community. Their contributions help enrich the college experience for fellow students and help develop good citizens and stewards for the future.
This year’s recipients are:
Amber Wilkins, an exercise science major who earned a bachelor’s degree earlier this month. Wilkins has been deeply involved with the Campus Activities Board, serving as program coordinator, vice president and president of the organization. She has also been actively involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Society of Black Women in Medicine and is a two-time UTOP mentor.
AnaCarolyna Harris, a psychology major who has served as a resident advisor for over two years, a peer mentor in the Leadership Journey learning community, and an Executive Leadership program participant. Harris has also planned and led an Alternative Service Break, is a recent initiate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and earned both CPR/First-Aid and Mental Health First Aid certifications.
Samantha Cisney, a health systems management major who served as a two-time chapter president of Alpha Omega Epsilon and as president of the Independent Greek Council. Cisney has also served as a Lead Student Building Manager for both the Popp Martin Student Union and Cone University Center.
Juan Pizarro, a graduate student who earned a master's of social work degree. Pizarro is a first-generation student with over a decade of military service, serving as the vice president of both the Student Veterans of America and Advocates for Change student organizations. He has helped develop the Green Zone for Students course as an intern for Military & Veterans Services, and participated in the Run the Ball Challenge with East Carolina University.
Sydney Corley, who graduated with four degrees this month: business analytics, finance, economics and management information systems. Corley has also worked as an orientation counselor and New Student Orientation intern, treasurer for the Coloring 4 Chemo club, and is a Charlotte Mentoring Collective mentor while also being a part of Leadership Fellows.
Josie Sheeler, a biology major who became vice president of finance for the Delta Zeta Sorority, and later vice president of scholarship and new member education for the Panhellenic Association. Sheeler has co-hosted TEDxUNCCharlotte and was a member of the Homecoming Niner 9, while also taking part in the Alternative Service Break program and serving as both a Niner Guide trainer and coordinator of community and recruitment for Niner Guides.
Caitlin Brabblerose, who earned a doctorate in biology. Brabblerose was vice president of the Association of Bio Sciences Graduate Students and president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos, Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM. Brabblerose also received the University Outstanding Teaching Assistant award in 2023 and currently serves as a doctoral writing fellow in the Graduate & Postdoctoral Writing Center.
Humza Qureshi, a finance major who serves as president of the Order of Omega honor society, treasurer and professional development chair for Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, and was named as Greek Man of the Year on April 27. Qureshi is also involved in the Muslim and Pakistani student associations, and is a Leadership Fellows Star Mentor.
Sharifa Fatao, a public health major who has worked as the health and wellness liaison of the Student Government Association and co-director of Community Engagement for Black Women in Medicine, while also being a Student Involvement ambassador. Fatao helped organize the goat yoga event and has made food packages for Muslim students during Ramadan.
Bryan Lopez Villanueva, a triple major in finance, accounting and international business. Lopez Villanueva has been heavily involved with the Latinx Student Union, serving as logistics coordinator, president and overall director. He was recognized as 2023 Student Organization Leader of the Year for his efforts.
Arden Pegelow, a double major in finance and accounting. Pegelow is a four-year student athlete on the 49ers Cheerleading team and was a member of the Homecoming Niner 9. She is also director of philanthropy for her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and led her chapter to raising the most funds and serving the most community service hours of all sororities on campus.
Ellie McCutchen, a triple major in political science, sociology and economics. McCutchen has been a Niner Guide since her freshman year, and has served as both vice president and president of the Chinese Undergraduate Student Association. McCutchen is also a Levine Scholar, and was a member of the Homecoming Niner 9.
Sylvia Sriniwass, a double major in finance and international business. Sriniwass was a financial wellness coach with Niner Finances, president of the First Generation Investors Club and a Levine Scholars mentor. Sriniwass was also a Homecoming Niner 9 member, a Niner Times staff writer and a Niner Guide.
Steve Torrejon, a double major in business administration and accounting. Torrejon is the current chapter president for La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated. He has also served as a resident advisor for two halls and founded the Latinx Organizations Committee (LOC), a committee consisting of all 14 Latinx-based organizations, both Greek and non-Greek lettered organizations.
Amaree Jones, a double major in psychology and interdisciplinary studies. Jones worked as a peer advising leader, and later as peer advising coordinator, in the Emerging Leaders program. She has also served as the vice president and president of the Foster Change student organization, coordinating volunteer opportunities with local non-profit organizations.
Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award
The Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award was established to honor the memory and legacy of alumnus Derrick Griffith, who was an active student and community leader dedicated to the service and mentorship of others. This award is given to a first-generation college student of junior or senior standing.
This year’s Derrick Griffith recipient is Esther Koroma. Koroma is a health systems management major who has served as a two-time UTOP mentor and program assistant, earning Mentor of the Year honors. She has also served as president, vice president and secretary of the Organization of African Students.
Chuck Lynch Leadership Award
The Chuck Lynch Leadership Award is presented in honor of former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Chuck Lynch, who served the University with distinction for 34 years. This award recognizes student leadership in building relationships and programs while also mentoring others to reach their maximum potential.
This year’s Chuck Lynch Leadership Award winner is Taylor Harris. Harris is an exercise science major who has been a part of Leadership Fellows, LEAD Team, a STARS coordinator, a Future Alumni Network Executive Board member and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Harris won the Desk Assistant of the Year for Housing and Residence Life and logged more than 250 hours of community service.
Chancellor’s Awards
The Chancellor’s Awards are designated for one undergraduate and one graduate student leader in recognition of their outstanding leadership, academic excellence and commitment to the campus community. Their contributions help enrich the college experience for fellow students and help develop good citizens and stewards for the future.
Kaitlin Klotz is a three-time graduate of the University, who earned her doctorate in biology this spring. Klotz has been heavily involved during her tenure at Charlotte. She was a Graduate Life fellow, a member of the Homecoming Niner 9, president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos, Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM, treasurer of Biology Sciences Graduate Students, treasurer of the Biology Graduate Outreach Cub, a graduate assistant for Housing and Residence Life, president of the Graduate & Professional Student Government and a three-year Graduate Teaching Assistant for cell biology.
Mia Huffman is a double major in criminal justice and sociology. Huffman founded and became president of Niners for Social Impact, joined the SERVE Team and was a site leader for an Alternative Service Break trip. Huffman is also the associate editor of the Undergraduate Research Journal, a University Center for Academic Excellence Success guide, and University Honors Program lead ambassador.
Bonnie E. Cone Leadership Award
The Bonnie E. Cone Leadership Award is presented to a member of the graduating class whose leadership, scholarship and service to the University embodies the spirit of Bonnie E. Cone, the founder of the University. The funding for this award is provided by UNC Charlotte alumni who served as student leaders during their tenure on campus.
This year’s Bonnie E. Cone recipient is Sonia Birla. Birla is a triple major in geography, international studies and finance, and was a Levine Scholar who served as founder and president of two student organizations: South Asian Student Association and the Campus Sustainability Alliance.
Birla also held roles as vice chair of the Charlotte Green Initiative and as Student Government Association sustainability liaison, which led her to create the Campus Sustainability Alliance to bring together similarly minded student organizations under one umbrella, working towards a common goal. Birla’s efforts also earned her the honor of becoming a bell ringer at the spring commencement ceremony.