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:

• Damarley Bartlett
• Edwil Phillipe

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

• Alaina Mupparthi

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:

• Benjamin Feldstein
• Aniruddha Roy

Tiger Spirit Leadership Award

• Olivia Gauthier

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:

• Damarley Barrett
• Shimanto Bhowmik
• Angelis Cordero
• Kiersten Delk
• Benjamin Feldstein
• Michael Hibbard
• Breanna Litviak
• Joshua Michaels-McClean
• Alaina Mupparthi
• Temitayo Osinubi
• Preston Parsons
• Edwil Phillipe
• Igor Polotai
• Aniruddha Roy
• Maya Sullum
• Faria Sultana
• Payton Woodhouse

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:

• Joshua Michaels-McClean
• Igor Polotai

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:

• Christopher Herrera
• Olivia Gauthier

Marlon Joris Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students who embody these same values—those who lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and contribute meaningfully to the vibrancy and success of their college environment. In celebrating Marlon Joris’s exemplary dedication, this scholarship aims to support and inspire the next generation of leaders who are devoted to making a lasting difference on campus and beyond.

• Nalin Cooper
• Angelina Myles

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.

2025 Recipients:

•  Shimanto Bhowmik
•  Kayla Brady
•  Sam Burgoyne
•  Alba Cikaqi
•  Sammy Deol
•  Lyn Eaton
•  Ellie Fairchild
•  Benjamin Feldstein
•  Paloma Hamilton
•  Bronwen Harris
•  Kimberly Kaleta
•  Hanna Koh
•  Jana Krstic
•  Matthew London
•  Jake Long
•  Kora Lovdahl
•  Tom Mazur
•  Olivia McDonald
•  Rachel Mikolajczyk
•  Buyi Owo-Odusi
•  Waseem Qaffaf
•  Crystal Qu
•  Lily Roberts
•  Ali Stambayev
•  Shriya Vijay
•  Nick Will
•  Drew Young
•  Daniel Zeznick
  

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.

2025 Recipients:

•  Jessica Ancillotti
•  Chris Baron
•  Alba Cikaqi
•  Paige Drumm
•  Nayely Gonzales-Flores
•  Guerline Guerrier
•  Annie Hong
•  Buyi Owo-Odusi
•  Crystal Qu
•  Ayanna Smith
•  Gemma Sobieraj
•  Ifepo Sokoya
  

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.

2025 Recipients:

• Tobi Fadipe
• Shimanto Bhowmik
• Showmik Bhowmik
• Faria Sultana
• Sagnna Doddaguni Siddaramaiah
• Rohini Vellaisamy Senthilkumar
• Aniruddha Roy