Peer Leader Award History
Check below for information about the most recent Peer Leader Award winners and the names of past winners. Peer Leader Awards were first given in 2017. The Graduate/Professional Peer Leader Award was first awarded in 2020.
2022 Winner: MiKayla Young
MiKayla actively shaped every organization she has been a part of and has been highlighted by her peers for both her enthusiasm and her positivity. Serving currently as the Membership Coordinator for the Activities Programming Board and the Vice President of the Eta Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she consistently demonstrates a willingness to assist the VCU community in any way possible.
Similarly, she has remained active within the Richmond Community, serving as a Carver Promise mentor, volunteering at Feedmore, working with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond, and more. She has been quoted by her peers as being “one of the most respectable and considerate leaders,” and is truly deserving of this award.
Past Winners*
- 2021: Jordan James
- 2020: Ashlynn Hicks
- 2019: Anthony Horn
- 2018: Emily Philpott
- 2017: Abena Serwaa
*This award was previously named the Peer Leader of the Year Award
2022 Winner: Ellie Silcott
Ellie began her very first year at VCU with an immediate interest in assisting and advocating for others. Noticing food insecurity among her peers, she has donated a large portion of her time to volunteering with both the VCU Ram Pantry and Little Ram Pantries.
She has been noted for her excellent workmanship, stated to continually demonstrate “her commitment by having clear communication, never being tardy, nor ever missing a shift.” And through her professional and extracurricular activities, she remains an open line of communication between both pantries, ensuring that inventory is always restocked and new ideas are being implemented.
Past Winners
- 2021: Zachary Short
- 2020: Avani Hariprashad
- 2019: Megan Sanico
- 2018: Jean Cleary
- 2017: Kevin Britton
2022 Winner: Jacky Kennedy
Jacky has been recognized for incorporating her growing expertise and skills into creating resources that have directly benefited VCU Transform and more broadly, the Peer Leadership Initiative. Currently pursuing a Masters in Counselor Education, she has brought a deep passion for student mental health to her work from the very beginning.
She meticulously strives to develop and support Peer Leaders across the Division of Student Affairs, and she tirelessly advocates for wellness initiatives that have already begun being implemented.
Past Winners
- 2021: Amanda Ferrara
- 2020: David Lynch
2022 Winner: Arjun Tomer
Arjun has been an active part of the SI Leader staff since January 2020 and consistently been admired and respected by both his peers and the faculty and staff that he works alongside. He “has demonstrated his ability to quickly build rapport with students from diverse backgrounds and [create] an open, productive atmosphere for learning” through tutoring a multitude of Biology and Chemistry courses.
This individual has demonstrated his ongoing commitment to the education of the entire VCU community, and his desire to to assist others in achieving their own academic dreams, goals, and aspirations.
Past Winners
- 2021: Hudson Dizon
- 2020: Alex James
- 2019: Ariana Kavazovic
- 2018: Bridget Condron
- 2017: Marvin Chau