The College honored 26 standout students this month with its yearly Excellence in Student Leadership Awards. The awards are governed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Development, and winners are selected by an interdepartmental committee of faculty and staff.
“Our student leaders are the foundation of campus life at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, driving the clubs, activities, and initiatives that make this a stronger, more connected community,” said Dr. Anne Hopkins Gross, Vice President for Student Development. “The work they have put in organizing events and stepping up when it counts has made this College a better place for everyone. Their stories of achievement remind us what purposeful leadership looks like.”
Student Leader of the Year Award
This award recognizes the student who represents the highest level of student leadership. This student makes extraordinary contributions to the College, mentors future leaders, leads a range of campus activities, and demonstrates exceptional service to others and within the community. The breadth and depth of the student’s actions have a significant College-wide impact.
2026 Recipient: Daniil Usmanov
As President of the Student Government Association, Usmanov has served as a critical bridge between students and administration, initiating a Scholarship Task Force, advocating for paid internships, and driving tangible progress on campus safety measures, including expanded security camera coverage.
As President of Student Veteran Affairs, Usmanov has been a powerful advocate for military-affiliated students — guiding peers through educational benefits, military responsibilities, and the balance between service and academics. They also founded the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club on campus, turning an idea into a fully recognized organization centered on personal discipline, belonging, and a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As a Resident Assistant, Usmanov’s mentorship has guided countless residents toward personal growth and leadership. Beyond campus, they serve as a Sergeant in the New York Army National Guard, bringing the same discipline and commitment to excellence to every role they hold.
Distinguished Student Leadership Award
This award recognizes students who have distinguished themselves through service or achievement that significantly benefits the student body or the college as a whole. These students exhibit a pattern of exemplary service over their years at SUNY Cobleskill and exceed the normal duties of any positions they may hold. Award categories include Cultural Competence, Community Engagement and Service, Health, Safety and Wellness, Athletics, Peer Education, Programming, Student Governance, and Student Organization involvement.
2026 Recipient: Rosa Celaya Luis
As a Resident Assistant, Luis has created engaging programs and made it their purpose to make sure every resident feels seen and valued. Their mentorship has inspired many residents to become Resident Assistants themselves.
As Director of Public Relations for the Student Government Association, Luis helped bring initiatives such as Charity Volleyball and Coby Countdown to life. A passionate advocate for first-generation students, they designed the College’s first-ever “First Generation” branding, pins, and stickers featuring the campus clock, to celebrate that shared identity. A first-generation college student themselves, Luis’ leadership is defined by empathy and a genuine commitment to helping others find their place at Cobleskill.
2026 Recipient: Madelynn Orosz
A member of the softball team since their first year, Orosz has served two terms as President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, leading initiatives ranging from an annual fall food drive (collecting over 1,500 items) to coordinating Women in Sports Day, Veterans Day recognition, and Tiger Games. Orosz has represented student-athletes at Intercollegiate Athletic Board meetings and attended multiple NCAA conventions to advocate on issues impacting collegiate athletics.
In the classroom, they have served as a Teaching Assistant for the microbiology lab, giving individualized support to their peers. Orosz was honored in 2025 with the Emerging Student Leadership Award.
2026 Recipient: Jacob Rhinesmith
As President of the Pre-Vet Club, Rhinesmith has been a driving force in supporting fellow students who aspire to attend veterinary school, coordinating labs, mock interviews, research experiences, and guest speakers to help others become confident and competitive candidates.
A Resident Assistant and student-athlete on the cross country and track teams, Rhinesmith balances academics, athletics, and leadership duties with strong time management and a commitment to supporting teammates in any way they can, in the process becoming the leader they once looked up to themselves.
Emerging Student Leadership Award
This award recognizes emerging student leaders who assume active and sustained leadership roles in campus organizations or initiatives that enrich student life and the campus community. These students set themselves apart from others and aspire to succeed in all they do.
2026 Recipient: Nina Dejnak
An active leader across multiple organizations, Dejnak serves as Secretary of The Wildlife Society and Ducks Unlimited, and as Public Relations Officer for the Agriculture Business Club. In that role, they have brought creativity to student engagement, managing the club’s social media presence and launching recurring features like Fun Fact Friday and Would You Rather Wednesday that blend agricultural education with campus community-building.
Dejnak serves as a Teaching Assistant for Natural History of the Vertebrates and an Admissions Ambassador, leading campus tours and helping prospective students envision their future at Cobleskill Ag & Tech. For them, the most rewarding moment is seeing a student they once welcomed return to campus as a member of the student body. Dejnak balances these commitments while pursuing a double major in Animal Science and Beef and Livestock.
Agent of Change Award
This award recognizes a student who has shown dedication to promoting and facilitating the positive efforts of diversity and inclusion at SUNY Cobleskill. The award recipient demonstrates a passion for improving the community toward a better understanding of how we are all connected while also appreciating and valuing differences.
2026 Recipient: Stacey Lazzo
A dedicated club officer for multiple student organizations, Lazzo has played a key role in building and strengthening Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), the Tri-Alpha Honor Society for first-generation college students, and the Latin American Student Organization, helping to build programs where students feel represented and supported.
Lazzo’s role as a Resident Assistant has made them a confident and approachable leader, intentionally creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment in their residence hall. In their role as Student Government Treasurer, Lazzo made financial processes more accessible for student organizations and ensured peers felt supported rather than overwhelmed in their decision-making.
Perseverance Award
This award recognizes students who have faced significant challenges in pursuing their academic goals and achieving success at SUNY Cobleskill. Through their presence on campus and relentless efforts, these students embraced the idea of never giving up. Despite adversity, these award recipients demonstrate consistent courage, resilience, and perseverance to not only achieve their own goals but also inspire the campus community.
2026 Recipient: Kyra Schroeder
As a Student Ambassador, Schroeder has made it her mission to make sure every prospective student feels welcomed when visiting campus for the first time: greeting families, leading tours, and volunteering wherever needed to help create a positive campus experience. As Vice President of Hall Council in Pearson Hall, they helped organize events that brought the campus and community together, including the annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event.
An Honors student, their project “From Primal to Plate” gave an in-depth, hands-on exploration of how pork is broken down from primal to retail cuts, educating peers on the agricultural processes behind the food on their plates. Overcoming a learning difference, Schroeder shows that, through choices and actions, leadership is defined not by title, but by perseverance and impact.
Excellence in Student Leadership Award
This award recognizes students who demonstrate the positive attributes of student leadership. They meaningfully contribute to the enrichment of student life and the campus community, and maintain sustained involvement in campus life through activities, clubs, organizations, service, athletics, and/or program development.
2026 Recipients:
Ariana Astacio, Emma Cargill, Rosa Celaya Luis, Kathryn D’Amato-Neff, Nina Dejnak, Vanessa Grant, Briana Haass, Alyssa Healy, Christina Johnson, Sydney Kachmaryk, Rosie Kotlowicz, Stacey Lazzo, Emily Marhaver, Paisley Nudd, Madelynn Orosz, Alex Ramkaran, Isabella Regels, Spencer Reisman, Lucas Reiter, Jacob Rhinesmith, Jennifer Sanmartin, Kyra Schroeder, Samara Sirett, Keegan Thivierge, Aurora Tompkins, Daniil Usmanov.
