Student Achievement Awards
The Division of Student Life honors students each Spring at the Student Life Achievement Awards
Student Achievement Awards Description
Each Spring, the Student Life Achievement Awards Committee sends out campus wide emails for nominations for the top awards of the Division. Campus Departments also present their top awards at this ceremony; which recognizes approximately 75 students each year. These awards showcase student engagement outside the classrooms and honors our students who are making a difference.
The 2026 Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 3rd at 1 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center Field House.
For those not in attendance; you may view the ceremony by visiting the Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation .
Scroll down towards the bottom of the page and you click on “SPLO EVENT STREAMS”. The Stream will open at 1 p.m.
Below are the descriptions for the Awards:
Melissa Carrasquillo Award for Intercultural Citizenship: Awarded to a graduating senior whose efforts have helped increase campus intercultural awareness, expanded community dialogue and civic discourse across differences, and/or demonstrated exceptional commitment to social justice and inclusion.
Karen R. Haskell Senior Leadership Award: As a former Dean of Students, Dr. Karen Haskell fully embraced sustained student leadership and engagement in the campus community. Nominees should possess qualities that exemplified this legacy. This award recognizes senior student leaders who have truly contributed to specific organizations and to the larger University community throughout their time at ŷAV.
Dr. J. Harold G. Way Scholarship Award: Established in memory of Dr. Harold Way, former University faculty member from 1969-1974, this scholarship is awarded to an eligible junior. This award is based upon a student's strong academic standing and their contribution to the University community.
Lt. Charles A. Henderson, USN '99 Spirit Award: Includes a monetary award in memory of Lt. Charles A. Henderson III USN '99. It is awarded to a graduating senior with graduate school aspirations who best and most consistently demonstrates the embodiment of a true scholar as exemplified by striving for excellence in academics, co-curricular involvement, character through acts, words and deeds, and an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity.
Emerging Student Leader Award: Nominees of this award will be a first year or transfer student who has been at ŷAV for less than 2 semesters. This award recognizes a student(s) that, despite not holding a visible, established leadership position on campus, has actively demonstrated attributes of an emerging leader through their actions, involvement and character.
Dr. Mark Gould Award for Commitment to Student Learning: The Dr. Mark Gould Award for Commitment to Student Learning is sponsored by the Roger Williams University Student Senate to commemorate the late Dr. Mark Gould, who put forth the highest level of commitment to students both inside and out of the classroom. Dr. Gould was a well-respected and highly regarded professor at Roger Williams whose work with students and dedication to their learning exemplified all the qualities inherent in this award. The Student Senate welcomes the opportunity to recognize faculty members who are excellent teachers and who devote a great deal of time and energy to students at the University, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Class Awards
Class Awards honor students of each class year who live out the mission of the University and their love of the community through service to the University. They inspire student engagement, promote initiatives and programs that build community and help students develop knowledge, skills, and mindful habits to become reflective, responsible members of society.
Previous Ceremonies
Information on the 2025 Ceremony can be found here
Information on the 2024 Ceremony can be found here