Student involvement is at the heart of the Alma College experience. From the moment students arrive on campus, they are encouraged to engage deeply — whether through student organizations, campus employment, service opportunities, or leadership roles that shape both their personal growth and the broader college community. This culture of participation reflects Alma’s commitment to developing graduates who lead purposefully, serve generously, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

With more than 100 student organizations and countless opportunities for engagement, Alma students don’t just join — they build, lead, and transform. From academic and professional groups to cultural organizations, Greek life, and service initiatives, students are constantly finding ways to connect their passions to action. Leadership is not reserved for a select few; it is something cultivated across campus, in residence halls, classrooms, and co-curricular experiences alike.

That spirit of involvement was on full display during a campus awards event held on Wednesday, April 1, featuring President Joe Odenwald. The event celebrated the students and organizations who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to leadership, service, and community impact over the past year.

The awards themselves reflect the breadth of student contributions at Alma. Honors like Executive Board Member of the Year and Outstanding Senior recognize individuals who have provided exceptional leadership within their organizations, while awards such as Rising Scot highlight emerging leaders already making a strong impact. Others, like the Outstanding Student Employee Award, underscore the importance of professional growth and workplace excellence as part of the student experience.

Several awards focus on the residential and mentorship experience that defines life at Alma. Resident assistants and peer mentors play a vital role in fostering belonging and support, and awards like RA of the Year, Outstanding First Year RA, Guide of the Year, and Mentor of the Year recognize those who go the extra mile to uplift others. Meanwhile, honors like the Resiliency Award and VPSA Campus Impact Award celebrate students who demonstrate perseverance and a consistent, positive influence across campus.

Student organizations were also recognized for their collective impact. Awards such as Student Organization of the Year, New Student Organization of the Year, and FSL Organization of the Year highlight groups that create meaningful opportunities for connection and growth. The Heart of the Highlands Award, in particular, honors organizations that bring joy and energy to campus in ways that may not always be in the spotlight but are deeply felt by the community.

Together, these awards tell a powerful story: Alma students are not passive participants in their college experience — they are active creators of it.

2026 Student Leadership Award Recipients

  • Executive Board Member of the Year — Makayla Kozal
  • Outstanding Senior — Holly Hall
  • Rising Scot — Emily Ahearn
  • Outstanding Student Employee — Paulina Rivet
  • Resiliency Award — Alex Zatelli
  • Student Organization of the Year — Alma College Business Professionals of America (BPA)
  • New Student Organization of the Year — Pickleball Club
  • FSL Organization of the Year — Kappa Iota
  • Heart of the Highlands — Kiltie Highland Dance Company
  • Vice President of Student Affairs Campus Impact Award — Holly Hall and Yaw Poku
  • Del Newhouse RA of the Year — Ben Dickieson
  • Outstanding First Year RA — Jillian Comer
  • Trent E. Wiederhold Textbook Scholarship — TJ Salley
  • Guide of the Year — Emily Spear
  • Mentor of the Year — Natalia Rodriguez
  • ACE Scholars of the Year — Lillian Sierakowski and Caylin Petersen
  • Alternative Break Site Leaders — Ella Cusack, Charlotte Rockwell, Emerson Inzeo, Noah Murphy, Chloe Anderson, Devyn Whitford, Sophia Sanford, Jackson Pollard, Reagan Keyser, Joshua Kase and Cara Hofstra