The Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives held its ninth annual OADI Honors Awards celebration Friday evening, May 2, at the Statler Hotel.  

OADI serves as a hub providing academic and professional development support and resources for students from all undergraduate colleges and schools at Cornell. It focuses especially on the needs of first-generation college students and/or students from lower-income backgrounds. 

The awards recognize the achievements of OADI’s scholar-leaders and the campus partners who support them. Nominations are submitted by students, staff, faculty, and campus partners across the university. 

“We have had this event for several years and it is a wonderful opportunity to realize the dedication, commitment, and positive impact from individuals in our community. We have such incredible people in our community that are involved in our programs and that make our programs shine,”  said Steph Cowling-Rich, Assistant Director of EOP/HEOP and Assistant Director of Student Advising and Engagement. 

The evening’s keynote speaker was Kamillah Knight ‘13, MPA ’14, MBA ‘22. Her career has included roles at Unilever, Ferrero, Veralto, and her current position as Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Danaher Corporation. During her speech she noted, "Cornell gave me more than an education—it gave me a foundation. I found strength, support, and encouragement from people who saw my potential even when I wasn’t sure I could keep going. My professors, my mentors, the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, and my friends all played a part in helping me rise. I found purpose."

Student speakers Yahir Huerta-Salas ‘25, Alexies Benitez ’25, and Jada Vail '25, shared reflections on their time at Cornell and experiences as part of OADI. The event was emceed by students Sabrina Chen ’26 and Rayanu (Ray) Adam ‘27. 

Woodg Horning, Director for OADI, concluded the ceremony by thanking the OADI team and supporters, and congratulating the award recipients and nominees as well as OADI’s graduating seniors.  

Learn more about OADI and the OADI Honors Awards. 

2025 OADI HONORS AWARDEES 

ESTEVAN FUERTES AWARD – OUTSTANDING OADI FACULTY PARTNER 

• Albert Alexander, Lecturer, Learning Strategies Center 

TONI MORRISON AWARD – OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT MENTORSHIP 

• Andrea Robinson, PhD Candidate in the College of Human Ecology, Nutritional Sciences  

TOMÁS BAUTISTA MAPÚA AWARD – OUTSTANDING OADI STAFF PARTNER 

• Qiana Watson, Counselor Therapist, Cornell Health 

GLORIA JOSEPH AWARD – OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS SCHOLAR 

• Nuzhat Mukul ‘25, College of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering major 

SOLOMON COOK AWARD – OUTSTANDING ENGAGED RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP 

• Jada Vail ’25, College of Art and Sciences; Physics major 

GEORGE WASHINGTON FIELDS AWARD – OUTSTANDING PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS (P3) SCHOLAR 

• Alexies Benitez ’25, College of Human Ecology, Human Biology Health, and Society major 

JEROME HOLLAND AWARD – OUTSTANDING OADI SCHOLAR-LEADER 

• Emilia Ceniceros ’25, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Biological Sciences major 

MARVIN JACK AWARD – OUTSTANDING OADI EMERGING SCHOLAR-LEADER 

• Justin Taveras ’27, College of Human Ecology, Human Development Major 

LT. CAROLINE SANFORD FINLEY AWARD – OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT VETERAN 

• Natalie Nelson ’25, SC Johnson College of Business, Applied Economics and Management major 

CLUB BRASILEIRO AWARD – OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION 

• Cornell University Diversity Admissions Ambassadors