Student Life Awards

Community Impact Awards are presented to undergraduate students who are recognized as “change-makers” on the RIT campus. Awardees are selected based on their engagement in and contributions to the RIT community. Various scholarships are available, ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Learn more about the various awards and eligibility requirements

Since 1964, Excellence in Student Life Awards have honored undergraduate students who balance academic success and engagement. Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher are invited to apply for this award and must demonstrate significant leadership in RIT-related activities.

Legacy Leader Awards recognize graduating student leaders who have made a lasting impact at RIT or in the greater Rochester community. Applicants must identify as a woman or non-binary and be graduating (undergraduate or graduate) to qualify for this award.

Community Impact Award scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 for leadership, making improvements to the campus, or being involved in club activities. These awards are a way to recognize and appreciate the “change makers” on the RIT campus. The awards are administered or selected by the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement unless otherwise mentioned.

Walls Olsen Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students active in at least two major student activities:

• Wilson McDade
• Edwill Philippe
• Elissa Sainthil

Susan Willoughby, Lanette Moore, and Cheryl Bulls Scholarship, awarded to AALANA students who have demonstrated leadership in student groups and/or community activities:

• Onvida Serixay

Alpha Phi Omega Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students who have demonstrated that service to the RIT community is a personal commitment and an integral part of their university experience:

• Showmik Bhowmik
• Joseph Jimenez

Tiger Spirit Leadership Award

• Drew Young

Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, given to students who have demonstrated significant effort toward the improvement and quality of campus, and administered by Financial Aid:

• Shimato Bhowmik
• Afia Bidica
• Carlos Bindert
• Adi Das
• Halley Deme
• Makenzie Dorsey
• Nayely Gonzales
• Guerline Guerrier
• Sarah Hong
• Oluwajedalo Makindipe
• Joshua Michaels-McClean
• Katelyn Moran-Pearlman
• Alaina  Mupparthi
• Justine Nichols
• Buyi Owo-Odusi
• Crystal Qu
• Daijya Robinson
• Chloe Sparkman
• Christian Waldschmidt
• Jaharie Waterman-Jordan
• Astrid Zambori

Joseph T. Ferraro Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students in good academic standing who have demonstrated an interest in and ability to build bridges among people of diverse backgrounds, selected by Spirituality and Religious Life:

• Adi Das                      
• Halley Deme

Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate an understanding of diversity and contribute to inclusive efforts, selected by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion:

• Damien Sorvillo, freshman recipient
• Sarah Hong, upper class recipient

Excellence in Student Life Awards have honored undergraduate students who balance academic success and engagement. Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher are invited to apply for this award and must demonstrate significant leadership in RIT-related activities.

2024 Recipients:

• Shriya Agarwal
• Mike Anderson
• Lorine Bajrami (RIT Kosovo)
• Kaelyn Beeman
• Mark Behrend
• Lydia Blatnik
• Gaurav CJK (RIT Dubai)
• Finn Cohen
• Saranya Dadi
• Andrea Danic (RIT Croatia)
• Eddie Ditomasso
• Ethan Feldman
• Aedan Frank
• Jada Graham
• Elaine Greenfield
• Anthony Ioppolo
• Taylor Parides
• Marta Primorac (RIT Croatia)
• Tara Rakocevic (RIT Croatia)
• Lauren Reger
• Ava Retsch
• Genta Sadiku (RIT Kosovo)
• Natalie Siwek
• Alexis Smith
• Miranda Szwej
• Emmarose Tabin
• William Tom
• Max Wolbeck
• Adam Zaffram
• Jennifer Zhang

This award, sponsored by Campus Life, is presented to students who have shown great leadership and are leaving a legacy behind at RIT or in the Rochester community. All applicants must identify as a woman or non-binary to qualify, and they must be graduating in 2024.

2024 Recipients:

• Shriya Agarwal
• Nidhi Baindur
• Myren Bobryk-Ozaki
• Aimee Gleason
• Janell Hemby
• Jada Jennings
• Cindy Lam
• Gabriella Mancuso
• Charlotte Miller
• Kimberly Perez-Morales
• Marta Primorac (RIT Croatia)
• Antara Rahman
• Alexis Smith
• Jabrecia Washington

This award recognizes international students who have made special contributions to life at RIT and the greater Rochester community, including superior service and effort in academics, student clubs and organizations, and external community groups. Full-time undergraduate and graduate international students at RIT’s main campus are eligible for this award.

2024 Recipients:

• Shimanto Bhowmik               
• Showmik Bhowmik               
• Kripa Kundaliya                    
• Suchit Singh Nagpal              
• Divprakash Pal                       
• Anvi Rohamare                      
• Faria Sultana              
• Palak Wadwha