Biden School News

Category: Biden School

Online program: 2026 Biden School Celebration of Scholarship

May 01, 2026 Written by Biden School Staff

This event recognizes this year's many achievements of our School community, including awardee accomplishments, as well as the generous donors and friends of our school who support our work.

BIDEN SCHOOL HONORS

Jerome Lewis Director's Scholarship

Presented to: Raymond Kalmanowitz

The Jerome Lewis Director's Scholarship is awarded in memory of the Institute for Public Administration's founding director, Jerome Lewis. This tuition scholarship honors his legacy by supporting the educational goals of the next generation of public servants.

Lynda D. Woolard Scholarship

Presented to: Crista Acquavella

The Lynda D. Woolard Scholarship was established in March 2020 to support undergraduate students enrolled in the Biden School of Public Policy, specifically those whose research focuses on climate change and/or disaster science and management.

Allen Fund for Urban Education

Presented to: Ashley Wilkinson

The Allen Fund for Urban Education, through the Institute for Public Administration, supports the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission.

Frey Family Scholarship

Presented to: Isabelle Kornas, An Nguyen

The Frey Family Scholarship was established to support undergraduate students enrolled in the Biden School, specifically those whose research focuses on refugee issues and/or disaster management.

Lloyd and Grace Goettler Student Enrichment Fund

Presented to: Estelle Smith

The Lloyd and Grace Goettler Student Enrichment Fund was established in May 2021 to support initiatives that enhance the academic experience of undergraduate students enrolled in the Energy and Environmental Policy Program at the Biden School. Support may include, but is not limited to, conference attendance and experiences, participation in undergraduate research opportunities, student-led initiatives, or school initiatives designed to enhance the student experience.

Peter A. Larson Prize

Presented to: Gema Otheliansyah

The Peter A. Larson Prize (Sister Cities) is awarded to a Biden School graduate student whose paper is judged to be a significant contribution to fostering international understanding in the fields of urban affairs, public policy or public administration.

Littleton and Jane Mitchell Fellows Program for Civil Rights and Social Justice

Presented to: Chelsia Douglas, Gulrukh Kakar

The Littleton and Jane Mitchell Fellows Program for Civil Rights and Social Justice was established in June 2011 by friends and family of Littleton P. Mitchell and Jane Watson Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was a trailblazer in Delaware's civil rights movement, serving as president of the Delaware State Branch of the NAACP from 1961 to 1991.

This award supports two graduate students in public policy pursuing careers in social justice advocacy.

Pauline E. Loessner Memorial Award

Presented to: Irene Rodriguez

The Pauline E. Loessner Memorial Award was established in November 2000 by Arno Loessner III in memory of his mother. Pauline cared deeply about and worked ceaselessly to create opportunities to provide social services to disadvantaged Delawareans. The purpose of this fund is to provide the opportunity for her good works to continue in perpetuity. Dr. Loessner's career in higher education includes 15 years as Vice President and University Secretary at UD, and service as Secretary/Treasurer of the Unidel Foundation, Inc., a private foundation that supports higher education. Dr. Loessner retired as Associate Professor Emeritus of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at UD in 2006.

This award is used to support excellent students for tuition assistance, travel opportunities and/or enhance education in the areas of human services, community development and related fields.

Barry R. Morstain MPA Mid-Career Prize

Presented to: Kristie Marmo

The Barry P. Morstain MPA Mid-Career Prize is awarded to the mid-career MPA student who best demonstrates the value of academic excellence and a commitment to public service and diversity. Dr. Morstain, an active faculty member and participant in the Master of Public Administration program for 20 years, was committed to equal rights, diversity and helping non-traditional students.

The George and Renee Raffel Endowment for Excellence and Opportunity

Presented to: Benedicta Agyare-Aggrey, Ojooluwa Ibiloye

This award was established in October 2000 by Jeffrey A. and Joanne T. Raffel in honor of Jeff's parents, who had a lifelong commitment to excellence in education and educational opportunity for all. Jeff was the Director of the School of Urban Affairs '97-'07.

Daniel Rich Scholarship in Public Policy

Presented to: Suhani Mehta, Dilana Grace Winter

The Daniel Rich Scholarship in Public Policy is awarded based on academic merit to undergraduate students enrolled in the Biden School.

Daniel and Nancy Rich Excellence in Community Engagement Award

Presented to: Marykate Sharkey

The Daniel and Nancy Rich Excellence in Community Engagement Award is given to a student who demonstrates excellence in community engagement and the potential to be a leader in a career of public and community service.

Marvin B. Sussman Prize

Presented to: Isaiah Gangadeen, John Oluwadero

Awarded to a Ph.D. graduate of the Biden School whose dissertation, completed in the previous year, is judged to be the most outstanding in its theoretical formulation or empiricism.

Whittington Graduate Fellowship

Presented to: Caleb Mathis

Established in 2017 to support graduate students working within the Biden Institute, to provide them with a stipend for educational and living expenses as they endeavor to carry out the mission of the Institute.

Julie Mapes Wilgen Award in Human Sexuality and Gender Studies

Presented to: Kel Marquez-Henriquez, Maria Paula Mendoza

The Julie Mapes Wilgen Award honors Dr. Julie Mapes Wilgen’s lifelong work and dedication to the field of sexuality education and family studies by providing a student with a $1,000 stipend. The award is given to an outstanding University of Delaware undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated a commitment to the field of human sexuality and/or gender studies and who has shown an appreciation for diversity and for the betterment of society.

Michael C. Wilgen Award

Presented to: Mackenzie Partridge, James Traynor

The Michael C. Wilgen Award honors the life of Lt. Col. Michael C. Wilgen for his dedication to his country and to his fellow military veterans. Michael served twenty-five years of active-duty military service (1968-1993), followed by working as a Region III Commander of the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW). The award will support student veterans selected to participate in experiential learning opportunities at the Biden School to research and develop policies that benefit active-duty military and their families, as well as veterans.

Biden School Faculty Excellence Award

Presented to: Andrea Pierce

Biden School Staff Excellence Award

Presented to: James Bell

Biden School Outstanding Undergraduate Award

Presented to: Casey Schaeffer

The Outstanding Undergraduate Award is presented to recognize the hard work, discipline and academic excellence exemplified by a graduating senior in the Biden School.

Biden School Dean’s Excellence Fellowship

Presented to: Keihan Hassanzadehkermanshahi, Idowu Kunlere

The Biden School Dean's Excellence fellowship recognizes a Biden School graduate student for their contributions to the School community through their service, engagement, leadership, teaching and scholarship.

STUDENT recognition

Honor Societies

Nu Lambda Mu (Nonprofit) New Members:

Presley Beck

Zoe Peters

Casey Schaeffer

Andrew Wenger

Pi Alpha Alpha (Public Affairs) New Members:

Sabrina Finegold

Josh Koppel

Kerry Mullins

Ella Stubbs

Matthew Willmes

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Biden Institute Graduate Assistant:

Alejandro Trujillo-Reyes

Biden Institute Interns:

Crista Acquavella

Pablo Charriez

Emily Helm

Josh Koppel

Mario Nandalal

Jackson O'Brien

Nyasha Rutanhira

Jahnese Session

Kelly VanLiew

Patrick Williams

*Biden Institute Summer (2025) of Service Internship Program:

Isabelle Andres

Crista Acquavella

Alma Balderas

Connor Borrelli

Pablo Charriez

Alani Davila

Jadyn Gross

Olivia Hayes

Chase O'Neal

Adrianna Mazzio

Kennedy Perry

Bernice Petit

Maxine Tattoli

Ella Truitt

Paul Santo

*Supported by the Biden Institute Summer Internship Fund

Biden Institute Student Advisory Council:

Vatsala Bais

Danielle Blachar

Alex Dewey

Michael DiPascale

Whitney Dransfield

Angel Finney

Anthony Fiore

Molly Freel

Samantha Gearghty

Allison Koopman

Carson McClung

Annie McTaggart

Elizabeth Ohakah

Alicia Pembroke

Angelina Ponenti

Mona Redder

Faiza Saeedi

Tim Schugsta

Ethan Speerli

River Spiece

Avrey Stallman

Sarah Szeto

Zachary Tapper

Jeraly Tejada

Lydia Tesfaye

Scarlet Wohlman

Biden School Student Association Executive Officers:

Donatus Doe, Doctoral Education and Social Policy Representative

Morgan Goettel, Vice President

Ojooluwa Ibiloye, President

Alexandria McClellan, MPA Representative

Joe Oleksak, Doctoral Public Policy Representative

Meghan Rydell, Secretary

Chloe Shader, MEEP Representative

Maryshate Sharkey, Undergraduate Leadership Representative

Zachary Tapper, Treasurer

Amanda Kelly Thompson, Doctoral ENEP Representative

Kylie Tugend, MPP Representative

Kelly Vanliew, Undergraduate Public Policy Representative

Robert Voso, Undergraduate ENEP Representative

Delaware Water Resources Center Graduate Fellows:

Cooper Feeny

Olivia Francisco

Holly Talbot

Megan Wassil

Delaware Water Resources Center Interns:

Abigale Britz

Caitlin Foster

Lianna Greenstein

Shayla Kapoor

Ryan Knott

Josh Koppel

Faith Moen

Helena Owen

Owen Rader

Dmitriy Rybin

John Vuillemot

Michele Wassil

Sienna Wong

IPA Graduate Public Administration Fellows:

Alex Dewey

Bec Kelleher

Madison Majors

Alex McClellan

Gema Otheliansyah

Irene Rodriguez

Bailey Singer

Alex Townsend

Reidel Vichot

Ashley Wilkinson

Ashlee Woods

IPA Undergraduate Public Administration Fellows:

Ally Adelman

Vatsala Bais

Sahasra Chilakapati

Erin Demagistris

AJ Jawaharlal Nehru

Kaitlyn Pytleski

Marisa Schenkenberger

Jonas Wahl

Scarlet Wohlman

Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows:

Lisa Carter

Brontë Pepper-Hicks

Hailey Galbraith

Matthew Froden

Emma Abrams

Nicole Berube

Sydney Johnston

Trinity Kamami

Colin Walsh

Annie McTaggart

Kylie Tugend

Simmone Wallace

Raymond Kalmanowitz

Vivian Wiggins

Sasha Altman

Emily Simon

Legal Interns:

Jessica Brady

Mary O’Toole

Stephanie D'Elia

Quinn Burrough

Jordan Groves

Blessing Nyameke

Brianna Sherman-Blanding

Avrey Stallman

Raheem Wicker

Kerry Mullins

Legislative Researcher:

Aaron Deutsch

Public Policy Fellow:

Anthony Fiore

Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Fellows:

Mia Anderson

Janelle Castro

Gianna Delaura

Lizzy Kurz

Bella Maranda

Haley Roser

Meghan Rydell

Esme Solis-Maurer

Ella Stubbs

Philip Warnock

Leah Wentnick

Megan Zalinkanskas

SNF Ithaca Student Leaders:

Danielle Blachar

Lauren Boyd

Pablo Charriez

Sophie Douglas

Ryan Lange

Adrianna Mazzio

Charlotte McQuillan

Suhani Mehta

James Ziereis

Summer (2025) Undergraduate Biden School Fellows:

Allison “Ally” Adelman

Vatsala Bais

Sahasra Chilakapati

Aaron Deutsch

AJ Nehru

Maxwell “Max” Rosenthal

Marisa Schenkenberger

Isaac O’Neal

Faiza Saeedi

Summer (2025) City Management Fellows:

Sasha Altman

Raymond Kalmanowitz

Gillian Klemas

Awards and Fellowships

Benedicta Agyare-Aggrey

Africa Studies Scholarship - International Institute’s Africa Studies Center and the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), University of Michigan

Sasha Altman, Josselyn Reader, Irene Rodriguez, Kylie Tugend

First Place, Site Competition - Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Annual Simulation Competition

Biden School Student Association

UD Graduate Student Government Outstanding Overall Achievement Award

Alex Dewey

ICMA Local Government Early Career Service Certificate

Matheus de Souza

Empowering Community Resilience Award - Mid-Atlantic Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

Ojooluwa Ibiloye

Student Ambassador - Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM)

Institute for Civically Engaged Research Fellowship - American Political Science Association

UD Graduate Community Engagement Scholars Award

Calaia Jackson Franco

Founders Fellow - American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)

Summer Academy Fellowship - American University

Yubin Jang

AERA Division A Graduate Student Council Representative

David L. Clark Graduate Student Research Seminar Award - American Educational Research Association (AERA)

Jackson Scholar Award - University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA)

Gulrukh Kakar

UD Doctoral Fellowship of Excellence

Idowu Kunlere

Environmental Fellows Leadership Program - UD DENIN Environmental Institute

Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship - Mercatus Center, George Mason University

Kameron Manning

Siegfried Award - Horn Entrepreneurship Program, UD Lerner College

Gema Otheliansyah

Second Place, Site Competition - NASPAA Annual Simulation Competition

Josselyn Reader, Irene Rodriguez

Members of Grand Prize-Winning Team - NASPAA Annual Simulation Competition

Chloe Shader

Outstanding Senator Award - UD Graduate Student Government

Mirabella Troncoso

Harry S. Truman Scholarship

UD International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Student Chapter

Best Chapter Event (Speed Networking)

Reidel Vichot

American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Service to the Section Awardee, Section on Nonprofits

Daniel Zorrilla-Velázquez

David Gould Scholarship - ASPA Section on International and Comparative Administration

FACULTY recognition

Awards & Fellowships

Maria Aristigueta

Distinguished Service Award - ASPA Section on Hispanic, Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Public Administration

Dominique Baker

Alliance Fellowship Program - Alliance for Higher Education

(2025) Top 40 Women Making a Difference in the World of Academia - Leading Women in Higher Education, Diverse

Dominique Baker, Gary Henry, Amy Ellen Schwartz

(2025) Top Research Scholars - EdWeek

Federica Bianco

(2025) Mid-Career Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award - UD Faculty Senate

Jane Case

(2025) Excellence in Teaching Award (Nominated) - UD Faculty Senate

(2025) General Honors Award, Positive Impact as a Professor, Advisor, or Mentor - UD Honors College

Most Valuable Professor (MVP) Award - UD Football

Most Valuable Professor (MVP) Award - UD Men's Basketball

Collaborative Discussion Project Visiting Fellow - Interactivity Foundation

Jonathan Justice

Laverne Burchfield Award for Best Public Administration Book Review, The New Ph.D.: How to Build a Better Graduate Education by Leonard Cassuto - ASPA

Kristi LeBeau

Most Valuable Professor (MVP) Award - UD Women's Ice Hockey

*Jerome Lewis

Jerome Lewis Award for Public Service - Consortium of University Public Service Organizations (CUPSO)

*Honored posthumously as the first recipient during the CUPSO Annual Conference on May 18–20, 2026

Alisa Moldavanova

Best Book Award, The Overlooked Pillar: Making a Case for Cultural Sustainability - ASPA Section on Public Administration Research

Chandra Reedy

Research Grant, “Saving the Past with the Future: Mitigating Adverse Effects of AI Data Centers on Traditional Viewscapes and Soundscapes” - United States Department of the Interior

Timothy Shaffer

Collaborative Discussion Project Visiting Fellow - Interactivity Foundation

Jessica Sowa

(2025) Best Book Award for Volunteer Management: A Strategic Approach (Co-authored with Jaclyn Piatak, UNC Charlotte) - Academy of Management Division of Nonprofit Management

Chester A. Newland Presidential Citation of Merit - ASPA

Mary Guy Lifetime Impact Award - ASPA

Outstanding Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Book Award for Volunteer Management: A Strategic Approach (Co-authored with Jaclyn Piatak, UNC Charlotte) - NASPAA