2026 Graduation Award Recipients

Dr. Peter B. Vaughan NASW Student Award (New York City)

The New York City Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers grants an award to a graduating student who has demonstrated a high level of professional commitment, identity, and values through student leadership, field practice, or academic projects.  
Recipients: Rachel S. Jacobson, Brian P. Murphy 

NASW Student Award - Connecticut

The Connecticut Chapter of NASW grants an award to a graduating student who resides in Connecticut. The award is given to a student who has demonstrated a high level of professional commitment, identity, and values through student leadership, field practice, or academic projects.
Recipients: Christi B. Hanson, Jennifer Particelli

The St. Peter Claver Award

This award is named for a Jesuit who, due to his life and work, became the patron saint of slaves of Colombia and of African Americans. Each year this award recognizes graduating students for their outstanding performance in coursework, fieldwork, or school service.
Recipients: Jenifer Herrera, Joyce L. Maffezoli, Olivia Meyer-Jennette, Adam J. Neufeld, Tess Palin 

CICNY Award

The Catholic Interracial Council of New York sought to increase cooperation and understanding between African Americans and whites to advance the cause of social justice and equality for African Americans. This award honors graduates that have worked to further this mission. 
Recipient: Maisha Cogle

The Esther Jean Arnhold Award

This award is named for a woman who was an artist in New York City who particularly enjoyed sharing her interests with children. Her bequests have benefited young people and the arts. This award recognizes graduates who have been outstanding in their work with children or embraced the arts in social work.
Recipients: Monica Mendez, Lisa R. Weinert

Ann Walsh Award

This award was named for a former employee and friend of the Graduate School of Social Service. Students are selected for this award based on their commitment to promoting social change.
Recipients: Nathalie Contreras, Joui M. Hessel, Marjorie Lafond, Yodit Lulu-De La Cruz, Mirca A. Parada, Philip Petrosky 

Fordham Hartford Partnership Program in Aging Education 

Fordham Hartford Partnership Program in Aging Education is a public-private scholarship program in collaboration with the New York Academy of Medicine. The goal is to promote social work leadership in the field of gerontology.
Recipient: Yodit Lulu-De La Cruz

The Kathy and Brian MacLean Scholarship in Palliative Care

This Scholarship is awarded to students who complete an internship in palliative and end-of-life care and who are committed to a career in this field.
Recipients: Christian Bone, Kimberly Kay Colby, Aimée Michelle Hayes, Adrienne D. Holmes, Amanda Molly Weise

The John G. Sullivan Award

John Sullivan left a successful career in business to dedicate his life’s work to helping those who were homeless and suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, and H.I.V/A.I.D.S. He earned a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University in 1995. During his career, he worked for several social service agencies in New York City in the field of homelessness. In April of 2011, when news of his untimely death became known, an anonymous donor stepped forward and requested that his legacy be recognized. This award is for graduating students that plan to commit to working with the homeless population.
Recipient: Sierra D. Banks, Onaiza S. Sheikh 

The Thea Bowman, Ph.D., F.S.P.A., Research Award

This award is granted to two doctoral students for outstanding doctoral dissertations.
Recipients: Emily M. Coderre

Student Ambassadors

GSS Ambassadors serve as a resource to newly admitted students, providing them with support and guidance as they transition into the M.S.W. program.
Ambassadors: Sahiba Bhatnagar, Kailyn Castro, Jennifer Gregoriano, Molly Harnaga, Jenifer Herrera, Olivia Meyer-Jennette, Tess Palin, Nia Wallace

Allegra Benveniste Honigman Award

This award is given to a graduate of the B.A.S.W. program at Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies who demonstrates academic and practice excellence. It was established in memory of Allegra Benveniste Honigman, a 2004 graduate of the B.A.S.W. program. 
Recipient: Bethany Mullins

The New York State Office of Mental Health Schools of Social Work Project for Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health Fellowship

The NYS OMH – Schools of Social Work Project is a partnership between OMH and Schools/Departments of Social Work in New York. Students receive training and education in recovery oriented, evidence-based practices for adults diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness (SMI).
Recipients: Setha Amera, Sasha Jacobs, Lorena Lopes, Marguerite Pintauro

Children and Families Institute Scholarship

Children and Families Scholarship recipients exhibit a commitment to academic excellence, an interest in gaining leadership skills, and the intention of working upon graduation with children and families in Westchester County.
Recipients: AnnaLynn DiMarco 

Fordham GSS/NYC Public Schools Collaborative Fellowship

Developed in partnership with the NYC Public Schools system, this program immerses students in NYC elementary, middle, and high schools alongside seasoned school social workers, providing hands-on experience paired with a tailored curriculum to fit the needs required by today’s schools.
Recipients: Anjum Choudhury, Ajla Dacic, Allison Feller, Margaret Hattrick, Rachael Horun, Rachel Jacobson, Shannon Keenan, Caroline Moran, Amalia Nachman, Trinidad Rodriguez, Tara Tallman, Paul Terzano, Sebastian Wisnivesky, Emily Zaroff, Elyssa Zucker