Celebration of Excellence 2026
CEHD’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, School of Education and master of social work program celebrate student, faculty and staff accomplishments with annual ceremonies
In May, University of Delaware’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS), School of Education (SOE) and master of social work program, housed in the College of Education and Human Development, celebrated outstanding achievements with end-of-year ceremonies.
HDFS hosted its annual ceremony and reception on May 1, 2026, at the Audion on UD’s STAR campus. HDFS recognized undergraduate and graduate students for their academic excellence, research, leadership and outstanding potential as professionals in the fields of education and human services. With faculty, staff, students, families and donors present, the department celebrated 17 award recipients.
“It’s such a great privilege as faculty and staff to recognize and honor our students’ accomplishments,” said Jason Hustedt, professor and chair of HDFS. “Congratulations to this year’s awardees on their outstanding work!”
The SOE hosted its annual ceremony and reception on May 7, 2026, at the Trabant Theater on UD’s Newark campus. In addition to recognizing undergraduate and graduate students, the SOE also honored distinguished faculty, staff and partner teachers for their research and service. The school celebrated 35 award recipients with faculty, staff, students and families in attendance.
“Congratulations to this year’s SOE award winners for their outstanding achievements and dedication to academic excellence,” said Steve Amendum, professor and director of the SOE. “We’re also deeply grateful to our generous donors, whose continued support makes it possible to recognize and support our students.”
Several of the HDFS and SOE awards presented were established by donors, passionate about supporting the next generation of leaders in education and human development.
Assistant Professor Kristina Najera and Assistant Professor Benjamin James distribute awards to undergraduate students at the School of Education’s Celebration of Excellence.
CEHD’s master of social work program hosted its inaugural Celebration of Excellence on May 8, 2026, in Alison Hall on UD’s Newark campus. The program, which celebrated its first two graduates at CEHD’s Convocation ceremony on May 21, 2026, honored more than 30 students that have contributed to the program’s success over the past academic year.
“Our ceremony included awards for our different cohorts, but also recognized the entire student population for their collective resilience this year,” said Raphael Travis, Jr., professor and director of the master of social work program. “We also had peer nominated awards where students could recognize and nominate each other based on how they felt those students represented social work values.”
Raphael Travis, Jr., director of the master of social work programs, shares program updates before beginning the awards ceremony at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Human Development and Family Sciences
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Alice P. Eyman Professional Development Award
Caitlin Greef
Amy Rextrew Rising Junior Award
Hailey Spiegel
Amy Rextrew Rising Senior Award
Olivia Jin
Catherine Bieber Scholarship for Academic Achievements and Leadership in Human Development and Family Sciences
Catherine Williams
Irma Ayers Scholar Award
Daphna Goldstein
Jane I. Davidson Laboratory Preschool Award
Isabel Jacovini
Lila C. Murphy Award for Women’s Equity and Leadership
Award of Excellence: Alessia Gerardi
Award of Distinction: Samantha Girasole
Award of Merit: Skyler Tavarez
Lila C. Murphy Community and Family Services Scholarship
Award of Excellence: Erin Fitzgerald
Award of Distinction: Taylor Freas
Award of Merit: Jenna Tabor
Robin J. Palkovitz HDFS Internship Award
Victoria Saskin
Taylor Geissler
Susan McLaughlin Scholarship
Tyshine Sutton
Graduate Award Recipients
Barbara Halliday Settles Family Futures Student Support Fund in Family Sciences
August Wei
Strattner-Gregory Child Advocacy Award
Victoria Figgs
School of Education
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Associate in Arts in Elementary and Middle School Teacher Education Academic Distinction Award
Annabella Cimo
Associate in Arts in Elementary and Middle School Teacher Education Distinguished Student Award
Jazmin Solis-Gaytan
Associate in Arts in Elementary and Middle School Teacher Education Professional Development Award
Karen Vasquez-Trujillo
Baker Memorial Award
Emma Giardina
Carol Vukelich Teacher Education Enrichment Award
Mystery Parsons-Villa
Elementary and Middle School Teacher Education Outstanding Teacher Candidate Award
Nicolette Davidson
Kaitlyn Hand
Victoria Hoffman
Kate Kowalski
Victoria Lawson
Kayla Mulrine
Emily Okoniewski
Alexis Pszczola
Samantha Trilling
Elementary Teacher Education Outstanding Teacher Resident Award
Valeria Vazquez Guzman
Excellence in Academic Achievement Sophomore Award
Alyssa Alexander
Courtney Clineff
Excellence in Academic Achievement Junior Award
Claire Merchant
Excellence in Academic Achievement Senior Award
Juliana Edwards
Kaitlyn Hand
Mathematics Education Award
Laina Snellenburg
Scholar-Leader in Education Award
Kaitlyn Hand
Graduate Award Recipients
Frank B. Murray Award
Tamara Turski
Mathematics Education Graduate Award
Rebecca Memmolo
Pearl and Oscar Bregman Award
Molly Stuart
Richard L. Venezky Award for Creative Research in Literacy
April Vazquez
Robert W. Stegner Award
Tamara Turski
Victor Mankin Award
Seyani Davis
Melissa Ferreiras
Faculty and Staff Award Recipients
Distinguished Faculty Award
Ethan McCormick
Outstanding Clinical Educator Award
Kelsey McGrath
Hillary Reynolds
Kelly Scholl
Rebekah Wang
Second Mile Award
Nicholas J. Baker
Master of Social Work Program
Individual Awards
Advocacy Award
Carly Hill
Bridge Builder Award
Molly Olney Zide
Children and Youth Changemaker Award
Morgan Taylor
Community Dedication Award
Sarah Ocampo
Dedication Award
David Fox
Empathetic Champion Award
Brynley Johnson
Intuition and Understanding Award
Rachael VerNooy
Kind Heart Award
Alicia Salvatore
Perseverance Award
Gwendolyn Carter King
Resilience Scholar Award
Maryam Savabi
Team Titan Award
Isabelle Kapoor
Warmth and Kindness Award
Aditi Chuahan
Cohort Awards
Collective Resilience Award
All students
Pioneer Award
All students in the pilot phase cohort
Spring Champions Award
All students in the first Spring cohort
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences’ Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the School of Education’s Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the School of Education’s Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the School of Education’s Celebration of Excellence.
Attendees and award recipients in the School of Education’s Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Master of social work faculty, staff and students—including award recipients—at the program’s inaugural Celebration of Excellence.
Header photo caption: Undergraduate and graduate Celebration of Excellence award recipients in CEHD’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences.
Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Shelly Silva.