Honors & Leadership Awards

An excerpt from Emerson’s nominations: Over the course of the three quarters I have known Emerson, he has consistently demonstrated commitment to academic excellence as well as commitment to the success of his teammates. His contributions to our class discussions were always insightful and respectful, and he went out of his way to encourage others to participate. This commitment to the success of others serves to distinguish Emerson and, I sincerely believe, deserves recognition.

 

An excerpt from Darin’s nominations: Within the Events and Advocacy Board (EAB), the members often regard Darin as Employee of the Year because of his consistent hard work that he puts into his role and to support his team. He has become someone to look up to at work. He is always looking for ways to help without ever taking over, he is enthusiastic for every day at work, and never drops his smile.

Darin is an active and engaged member of the campus community, determined to make the most of his time at Cascadia. He currently serves as an Event Coordinator on the Events and Advocacy Board (EAB), where he has played a key role in student programming over the past two years. Darin has been instrumental in coordinating major campus events, including Disco Dance, Movie Night, March Madness, and our most highly attended and anticipated event of the year, Spring Fest. His enthusiasm for engaging students is unmatched, as he is consistently the first to step forward to connect with peers, promote events, and ensure others feel welcomed, included, and heard. In many ways, Darin embodies what “student involvement” looks like at Cascadia.

Beyond his leadership and involvement, Darin’s character truly sets him apart. He is friendly, outgoing, and has a natural ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, making everyone feel seen and valued. His presence is felt across campus—students, staff, and faculty know him not only for his involvement, but for his infectious positivity and genuine care for others.

Darin’s dedication to serving the campus community reflects his passion for creating a more inclusive and vibrant environment. He exemplifies what it means to be a member of the Cascadia community and actively inspires others to contribute to shaping its identity.

 

An excerpt from Max’s nominations: Max has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to building community, not just within the classroom, but throughout the broader Cascadia environment. What sets Max apart is not simply his academic excellence, though that alone would be worthy of recognition. It is the way he chooses to use his talents and energy in service of others.

Max also has a rare gift for bringing people together. He builds connections between classmates who might not otherwise interact, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of contributing.

What strikes me most is that none of this feels performative. Max's kindness and investment in others seem simply to be who he is. He leads by example, showing his classmates that academic dedication and care for those around you are not competing values but deeply complementary ones. These are the exact qualities we need to cherish and encourage, especially in students pursuing careers in health-related fields.

The Founders Community Award recognizes someone who enhances the culture and spirit of Cascadia and encourages others to shape its core identity. Max does exactly that, every single day.

 

An excerpt from Ravindu’s nominations: Ravindu is genuinely one of the most supportive and hardworking people I’ve met at Cascadia. He always puts effort into everything he does, whether it is academics, helping classmates, or being involved in the community. He is always willing to help others when they need it and creates a positive environment by making everyone feel included. He’s the kind of person who wants everyone around him to succeed, not just himself.

He's a big part of our club, Project Redesign, at Cascadia; as one of the vice presidents, he ensures that we communicate openly with our members and ensures everyone has their opinions heard. He also does a great job of making people feel welcome and respected regardless of their background, which really reflects the values of diversity and inclusion at Cascadia.

Whether it is through friendships, school involvement, or helping others in the community, Ravindu consistently shows kindness and compassion in everything he does. I remember one time when a friend was struggling and feeling isolated, and Ravindu went out of his way to check in on them consistently, spend time with them, and make sure they felt included. His kindness genuinely made a difference in that person’s confidence. His actions show leadership through empathy, and he leads by setting a positive example for those around him.

 

An excerpt from Rita’s nominations: Rita was the best student in my fall Phil243: Environmental Ethics and Sustainability course. She did the most creative and insightful writing, explored the issues in the greatest depth, and most exemplified what it means to live and work as a good environmental steward. This would be impressive enough on its own, but she also performed at this incredibly high standard while being seriously visually impaired. She used her Student Accessibility Service accommodation to successfully complete all the work for the class at the highest level, with her trusty guide dog, Gazpacho at her side. She is an inspiration to all, both her fellow students and her teachers alike.

 

An excerpt from Tamara’s nominations: Tamara returned to Cascadia to complete her bachelor’s degree, and has brought amazing value, actions, and efforts to us once again. Her focus on environmental actions and sustainability was amazing! She has led projects with her classmates, pushed for community action for social issues, built connections with local schools for Cascadia’s wetland opportunities and North Creek, and supported her fellow classmates through challenges. Tamara has supported the sustainability club and worked with local non-profits and schools in a project for creating educational opportunities in the community. The project aims to inspire teachers for more outdoor and nature education and gives both concrete examples and lesson plans to support environmental action, and has brought connections together for Cascadia, and inspiration for the community about Cascadia’s amazing programs.

 

An excerpt from Morgan’s nominations: As a campus leader, Morgan demonstrated strong and effective interpersonal skills which guided his understanding in diverse, complex conversations. He organized, facilitated, and operated varying student activities to create community and welcome students to their campus. Through these leadership and development opportunities, Morgan demonstrated commitment, creativity, and fun!

As the Social Media Specialist on the Community Engagement Officers (CEOs) team, Morgan has brought energy and authenticity to the Cascadia Kodiaks social media accounts. Over the years, students have been asking to see "more of themselves" reflected in our content, in other words, less graphic posts and more real student experience. Morgan delivered exactly that. His creativity, willingness to try new ideas (including filming a trend with the college president), and his ability to encourage peer participation has been inspiring to witness. By promoting events through engaging tabling, mobile marketing, and creative use of Kody the Kodiak, Morgan has meaningfully contributed to fostering a strong sense of belonging, which is at the heart of the CEO team’s mission.

Beyond his role as a CEO, Morgan serves as President of the Chinese Communication Club and is actively involved across campus and through various clubs. He has led weekly meetings that share Chinese culture and has collaborated with EAB to support events such as Global Gratitude and Lunar New Year celebrations. He took lead on hosting various club events, including a Hot Pot Party, a Mahjong Tournament in collaboration with Board Game Club, and an end of the year celebration. He has created meaningful opportunities for both international and domestic students to connect, learn, and build community with one another.