Cleveland State University
Division of Student Belonging and Success
2024 Annual Awards & Recognition Winners
CARE Champion Award (Student, Faculty & Staff)
CARE Champion – Student: The CARE Student Champion Award is given to a student who is dedicated to providing support to CSU students, is an incredible advocate, goes above and beyond to connect students to resources, and demonstrates a selfless commitment to providing CARE. Open to all students.
Winner: Haithan Kalil
CARE Champion – Faculty: The CARE Champion Faculty Award is given to a Faculty Member who is dedicated to providing support to CSU students, is an incredible advocate, goes above and beyond to connect students to resources, and demonstrates a selfless commitment to providing CARE. Open to all full or part-time / adjunct faculty.
Winner: Mekki Bayachou
CARE Champion – Staff: The CARE Champion Staff Award is given to a staff member who is dedicated to providing support to CSU students, is an incredible advocate, goes above and beyond to connect students to resources, and demonstrates a selfless commitment to providing CARE. Open to all CSU staff members
Winner: Bruce Menapace
Diane Dillard Student Organization of the Year
The Diane Dillard Student Organization of the Year award recognizes a deserving student organization that has made outstanding contributions to the university community and has exemplified excellence in campus engagement. The winning organization will have hosted quality programming this year, have active participation of its members, have a focus on organizational management, and is currently a registered student organization.
Winner: CSU Film Maker's Club
EmpowHERed LeadHERship Award
The EmpowHERed LeadHERship awards recognize the outstanding mentorship, support, advice-giving, and uplifting spirit of CSU community members. Recipients will be known for going above and beyond to assist others, leading by example, seeking opportunities to share knowledge and experiences, actively demonstrating inclusion and a sense of belonging, and enriching our campus community with positivity. We will recognize 1 undergraduate student, 1 graduate student, and 1 Faculty/Staff person annually.
Winners: Dulce Perez Sanchez (Undergraduate) | Haitham Kalil (Graduate) | Camilya Williams (Faculty/Staff)
Excellence in Programming
This award recognizes an individual, office, student organization or group for its exceptional creativity, planning, and execution of a university program. The winning program should appeal to a broad cross-section of the university community, have been original, and impacted campus positively.
Winner: Anita Ruf-Young
Health & Wellness Champion Award
This award recognizes a student who demonstrates a committment to heath and wellness through services and programs and promotes health and wellness to peers at CSU.
Winner: Skye Carlson
Jillian Keller Student Services Award
The Jillian Keller Student Services Award is given to a faculty or staff member who is dedicated to providing support to CSU students, through support of basic needs access, volunteer service, philanthropy, or dedicated time to LUV! Open to all faculty/staff who are not LUV! staff.
Winner: Jennifer Creviston
LGBTQ+ Champion Award (Faculty/Staff)
The LGBTQ+ Champion Award is given to a staff or faculty member who is a leader within the campus community, exemplifies recognizable LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, is dedicated to providing support to LGBTQ+ students and goes above and beyond to connect students to resources, and promotes inclusiveness within the institution.
Winner: Emma Harding
LGBTQ+ Outstanding Student Leader Award
This award recognizes a deserving undergraduate student who exemplifies student leadership and recognizable LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, has worked to move LGBTQ+ initiatives and programming forward, serves as a role model within the CSU LGBTQ+ community, and exhibits ongoing commitment to creating a culture of LGBTQ+ inclusiveness within the institution.
Winner: Kareim Seif
LGBTQ+ Service Award
This award recognizes an undergraduate student who is dedicated to providing support and mentorship to LGBTQ+ students, goes above and beyond to connect students to resources, and exhibits ongoing commitment to creating a culture of LGBTQ+ inclusiveness within the institution and in the greater community. This individual must have unpaid service to the university and Greater Cleveland.
Winner: Naiy Birch (they/them)
Peggy Kirschner Outstanding Student Leader
The Peggy Kirschner Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a deserving undergraduate student who exhibits outstanding and ethical leadership, ongoing commitment to the university, and unselfish contributions to the Cleveland State community. This individual must have unpaid service to the university and Greater Cleveland, as well as be a junior or senior status (60 or more credits).
Winner: Sydney Manderbach
Proudest Viking
This award is given to an undergraduate student who has made significant contributions to the university community including campus life, academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
Winner: Allie Wintz
Social Justice Award
This award will recognize a CSU student, faculty, and staff member who have championed diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts at Cleveland State University and within the City of Cleveland. The recipients of these awards should have demonstrated leadership and implemented programs and services that have improved the human condition.
Winner: Dr. Shereen Naser
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award winner has impacted the growth and development of student leaders, served as a mentor to students, and been supportive of organizational activities and accomplishments this past year.
Winner: George William Smith-Whitfield
The Lift Up the Mission Award
The Lift Up the Mission Award is given to a faculty or staff member who is dedicated to providing support to CSU students, through support of basic needs access, volunteer service, philanthropy, or dedicated time to LUV! Open to all faculty/staff who are not LUV! staff.
Winner: Jennifer Creviston
Undergraduate Student of the Year Award
The Undergraduate Student of the Year Award is given to students who show academic achievement, leadership skills, success and made significant contributions to the university community.