WGSS Spring Celebration Honors Students, Mentors & Community Partners

On May 7, 2025, the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies community at UAlbany came together to celebrate the accomplishments of its students and express gratitude to their mentors. Our Spring Celebration honored graduating majors and MA students, the Teaching Collective, student interns, community partners, the Gamma Mu chapter of “Triota” Honors Society, and this year’s award recipients. The event featured inspiring speeches by students (Melody Palmer and Charlie Ambrose) and by the Mentor of the Year (Courtney D’Allaird), music by Bree Langston (aka "DJ Trifecta") and light refreshments. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and our outstanding award winners!  

2025 WGSS DEPARTMENT AWARDS  WOMEN'S, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES AWARD
Jordan Howell & Mateo Uhalde   

DR. VIVIEN NG LGBTQ STUDIES AWARD
Phoenix Hernandez   

STONEMAN-VAN VRANKEN SCHOLARSHIP
Jedidah Pacheco   

CANDACE J. GROUDINE, PhD ‘98 WOMEN’S STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP
Olivia Girolami   

ARLENE E. RAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Emma Mattoon   

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD
Charlie Ambrose & Nodiaus DiTonno    

2025 PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Melody Palmer   2025 

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES’ AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Melody Palmer