2026 Harvey Mudd College Leadership Awards

Harvey Mudd College recognizes outstanding HMC community members during its annual Leadership Awards event, coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs. Faculty, students and staff gathered for lunch and a ceremony to celebrate awardees for their contributions on campus and beyond.

A committee of staff and faculty reviewed nominations from the campus community and made selections for Outstanding Mudder, Distinguished Emerging Leader, Outstanding Student Organization, Res Life Community Builder of the Year, Student Award for Community Impact and Leadership, Program of the Year, Dean Sundberg Prize, Dorman Student Altruism Prize and Faculty and Staff Impact Awards.

Outstanding Mudder Award

Recognizes students who embody what it means to be a “whole person” at Harvey Mudd College by demonstrating creativity, leadership, teamwork, ethics, inclusion, community engagement, wellness and communication in both curricular and co-curricular endeavors.

Liesel Hilkemeyer ’27

A nominator wrote, “They are such a powerful force for good and change in the Mudd community in many ways. From their co-curricular activities … to their academic achievements and their impact on the community, I think Liesel fully embodies what it means to be a scientist who is also educated in social sciences and the arts and makes the community they are part of (and the world) a better place.”

Distinguished Emerging Leader Award

This award recognizes a first-year student or sophomore who is engaged in positive, community-building efforts, respected by peers, staff and faculty and exhibits great potential as a campus and community leader. Nominees demonstrate a commitment to leadership and service through participation in organizations that benefit the campus and/or off-campus community.

Ashlyn Green ’28

“Ashlyn leads with the people she is leading in mind,” said a nominator, “She doesn’t take credit when things go well and she doesn’t point fingers when they don’t. … Mudd reminds us a lot about the mission statement that STEM students should go on to make a real difference in the world, and I see Ashlyn embody this with everything she commits to. … Everything she does is oriented around impact, and I think that’s the kind of leadership Mudd should recognize.”

Outstanding Student Organization

Given to a recognized student organization that makes a positive impact on campus or in the wider community and demonstrates integrity, leadership and teamwork while excelling in program planning and the leadership development of its members.

BLAM (Black Lives at Mudd)

BLAM is Harvey Mudd College’s Black student organization that seeks to form a community of individuals in support of Black students at Mudd, celebrates Black culture and raises awareness about issues facing the Black community.

A nominator wrote, “BLAM provides a safe space for Black students at Harvey Mudd College and advocates for their rights. Meetings often include discussions about courses at Mudd and changes that can be made to improve them. BLAM also connects students to resources that can help Mudders do and be better and is a leader in asking for justice for victims of racial harm. They lead the charge in asking for equal treatment.”

Program of the Year

This award recognizes a program or initiative that has made a meaningful contribution to the student experience and the Mudd community by engaging students, encouraging participation and creating impactful, memorable experiences. Nominees demonstrate a commitment to connection, learning and community building while fostering a sense of belonging and contributing positively to campus life.

Committee for Activities Planning (CAP) Black Market Flea Trip

CAP is a committee of the Associated Students of Harvey Mudd College and is responsible for encouraging students to partake in activities off campus.

A nominator wrote, “The CAP Black Market Flea Trip created a space where students could come together, support small vendors and celebrate culture in an accessible way. The program emphasized inclusivity and belonging, encouraging participation from a wide range of students. By centering community and shared experience, it reflects Mudd’s commitment to collaboration and meaningful engagement. … As an event for Black History Month, it created a memorable and intentional experience that brought people together. Its success demonstrates both strong participation and lasting impact on the student experience.”

Student Award for Community Impact and Leadership

Recognizes a student whose initiative, leadership and sustained commitment to service and civic engagement have strengthened communities and created meaningful change. Nominees demonstrate a dedication to working collaboratively with community partners, connecting their academic learning to real-world challenges and contributing in ways that emphasize mutual learning and shared impact.

Sayema Lubis ’26

“Through all her positions, Yema has served many of the affinity groups at Mudd, while also doing one of the hardest things you can to Mudders: making them go outside,” a nominator wrote. ”Coming up with things to entice our diverse, sunshine-averse student body is not an easy job, but she has done it time and time again to make sure we are actually taking care of our wellbeing and personal development. After all, it is only through new experiences that we can grow. … In all she does, she is unfailingly kind and understanding, and Mudd would not be the same without her.”

Dean Sundberg Prize

Established by Dana Seaton ’06, and with support from Warren Katzenstein ’04 and Nate Yoder ’06, the Dean Chris Sundberg Prize ($500) recognizes a rising junior who demonstrates exceptional leadership and a positive impact on the College community.

Megan Tran ’28 

An excerpt from Megan’s nomination states, “Megan is compassionate to all of those around her, is a great leader across all her roles on campus and is a vibrant and friendly peer who brings energy everywhere she goes. She puts her heart into everything she does and you can feel her passion for the work she does when you speak with her about it. I always feel inspired by Megan when she talks about her interests and passions because it is amazing to see how Megan is so driven to keep doing what she loves and works even harder to make what she hasn’t accomplished happen no matter what challenges she has to face.”

Dorman Student Altruism Prize

Established by the Dorman Family foundation, this award recognizes one graduating senior who is selected by their peers as the “one who has done the most for their fellow students.” The awardee is selected based on nominations by student peers. The recipient of the Dorman Student Altruism Prize will receive a monetary award.

Kennetta Roebuck ’26 

“Kennetta embodies what the Harvey Mudd mission statement seeks to instill within its students,” a nominee said. “She seeks to include all first-years in her project even when doing so would slow down her process because she wants us to have a complete understanding of the science that is taking place and why we should care about it. Kennetta is extremely intelligent, and she has diligently thought of the impact that her work would have on society, choosing a climate major to be able to have a positive impact on the changing climate that looms over our planet. If Harvey Mudd seeks to educate scientists on how to be better scientists and have a better understanding of what their work means for society, Kennetta embodies that philosophy.”

Res Life Community Builder of the Year

Recognizes student leaders who have gone above and beyond in creating a welcoming, supportive and inclusive residential community. This award honors a Proctor and Mentor who shows up consistently, leads with care and integrity and makes a meaningful difference in the everyday experience of their peers.

Abigail Samson ’26, mentor

A nominator wrote, “Abby is a deeply welcoming, fun and understanding mentor to her mentees. … She continues to go beyond what is expected of her role by building genuine relationships with her mentees. Abby doesn’t just provide guidance but she fosters a sense of community and comfort, making it easier for new students to navigate Mudd both socially and academically. Her ability to balance warmth with reliability allows her mentees to trust her not only as a mentor, but as someone they can truly depend on.Through her actions, Abby strengthens the culture of collaboration and connection at Mudd, and her consistent care for others reflects a quiet but impactful form of excellence.

Amelia Acker ’26, proctor

“Amelia is one of the most experienced and capable proctors on staff and manages a very hard job smoothly and effectively,” a nominator wrote. “She does an excellent job ensuring the safety and wellbeing of her residents, and she dedicates so much of herself to her job. … She is there for her residents in ways that she is not obligated to be, going above and beyond by accompanying them to medical appointments and urgent care, helping with obtaining academic and housing accommodations and emotional support well beyond the expectations of the role. Amelia has hugely impacted the East community by being such an amazing proctor and has done wonders in ensuring that everyone is safe, mitigating conflict between residents and fostering a welcoming community.”

Faculty Impact Award

Awarded to a faculty member who goes above and beyond their roles to serve as mentors for students and student organizations, embodies Mudd values, demonstrates leadership in providing quality student support, promotes inclusion, fosters intellectual growth and encourages involvement in campus, local, national and global communities.

Leah Mendelson, professor of engineering

A nominator wrote, “Prof. Mendelson has been an outstanding advisor in many ways. She always goes above and beyond to support the academic and professional development of her students. She has helped shape the E4 program and has gotten many students excited about Mech E and real-world applications in mechanical design! On a more personal level, she has helped connect me to colleagues to talk to about grad school, given me advice on handling team conflicts and navigating tough decisions about academics and been an understanding and supportive research advisor. She cares so much about her students’ learning and it shows!”

Staff Impact Award

Recognizes a staff member for their positive contributions to the campus, their leadership and willingness to make a difference in the lives of students.

Robert Kingston, senior director, core technology services

“It is without a doubt the entire campus who knows Robert knows he will always put the community first,” a nominator shared. “Since we are the core technology services team, our work often goes unnoticed. … Robert is typically the one with boots on the ground making sure the College is supported and critical systems are online.”