Chapman Honors Students at 2026 Campus Leadership Awards

Students were recognized for academic achievement, leadership, service, and campus impact at Chapman University’s 2026 Campus Leadership Awards on May 8 at the Fish Interfaith Center.

Hosted by the Dean of Students Office, the ceremony celebrates students across the Chapman community who exemplify leadership both inside and outside formal campus roles. The ceremony also recognized students who received nationally competitive scholarships and academic honors.

“We are proud to celebrate students whose contributions continue to strengthen our campus community in meaningful ways,” said Jerry Price, Ph.D., senior vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

2026 Cecil F. Cheverton Award

Recipient: Emi Iwasaki

Finalists: Ava Alberts, Miles Duncan, Tara Dunn, and Mandy Fang

Iwasaki ’26, who is graduating summa cum laude with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology and psychology, contributed to research focused on antibiotic resistance, biological aging, and Alzheimer’s disease during her time at Chapman. Outside the lab, she logged more than 2,500 hours as an EMT supporting pediatric critical care transports through Children’s Hospital of Orange County, now part of Rady Children’s Health.

She also led Chapman’s American Medical Student Association as co-president, taught supplemental instruction for organic chemistry, and served on the Schmid Student Leadership Council, connecting fellow students with research and pre-health opportunities.

Tara L. Gruenewald, director of the University Honors Program and Iwasaki’s psychology thesis mentor, praised Iwasaki’s record across two majors and two colleges.

“Emi’s time at Chapman represents that optimal trifecta of academics, science, and service,” Gruenewald said.

Emi Iwasaki credits Elaine Schwartz, Ph.D., associate dean of external relations and student advancement, with shaping her academic journey. Iwasaki is now applying to medical schools with hopes of pursuing a pediatric specialty.

“When I came to Chapman, I didn’t really have specific plans,” she said. “I explored a lot of different things, took a lot of different classes and changed my major a bunch of times. I think that really helped me figure out what I wanted to do.”

Campus Leadership Award honorees gather with Jerry Price, senior vice president for student affairs and dean of students, following the awards ceremony. Photo by Andrew Castro

Chapman also recognized students across several award categories for accomplishments in scholarship, leadership, service, and campus involvement.

Gloria and Julian Peterson Outstanding Leadership Award

Recipient: Camille DeWilde

Finalists: Olivia Marr and Nicole Kavros

Ronald M. Huntington Outstanding Scholarship Award

Recipient: Analisa Vavoso

Finalists: Mandy Fang and Lea Vetter

Paul S. Delp Outstanding Service Award

Recipient: Jolina Hamdan

Finalist: Laila Makrom

Jerry Price Campus Leadership Award

Recipient: Kaitlyn “Kaite” Clark

Finalists: Kyla Monique Cabrera and Claire Brigman

James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Doctoral recipient: Rudy Chang

Master’s recipient: Margaret Garcia

Outstanding Seniors

Makaylee Dahms, Emerson Ellis, Mandy Fang, Al Hassan Gamal El-Din, Nicole Kavros, Kassondra Lundgren, Olivia Marr, Devansh Mehta, Jaden Norwood, Keira Sarni, Kylee Schwartz, Maika Suaya, Emma Villegas, Brianna Zamora, and James Zoumas

Outstanding Juniors

Ashley Agatep, Kyla Monique Cabrera, James Carney, Emily Hernandez, Jessica Henry, Sydney Keleshian, Isabelle Killough, Ethan Ly, Peyton Mitchell, and Mitchell Perez

Outstanding Sophomores

Simon Ackermann, Ramon Arguelles-Castilla, Sujung Cua, Shira Ehrlich, Sam Kuhn, Dehusa Pacheco Lapa, Natalie Paradiso, Ethan Roche, Patrick Stokes, and Craig Seiler

Outstanding First Years

Evelyn Alvarado, Claire Brigman, Jackson Carmichael, Monserrat De Rosas, Grace Granger, Ruslan Khromin, Elise Kittleson, Ching Ku, Mikey Lysiak, and Audrina Vega