CECI News
CECI well represented at Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence
April 28, 2026
The Graduate School Citations for Academic Excellence recognize outstanding academic achievement of graduate students. Awards are given to students who have completed their program or are very close to completion. CECI was well represented at the Winter Semester 2026 event that took place on April 24 at the Loosemore Auditorium on the City Campus and included a reception and an awards presentation.
CECI's honorees were:
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO GVSU
Rebeca Barajas-Juarez, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration
Elora Florie, MPA
EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT GVSU
Rowan Hawthorne, MPA
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR PROFESSION
Christopher McGuire, MPA
Kennedy Sowell, MS Criminal Justice
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM
Douglas Ferguson, MPA
Kylie Brigham, Literacy Studies
Samuel Ahurtovie, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration
Kennedy Sowell, MS Criminal Justice
EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY
Cassandra Chaphalkar, MPA
OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
Larry Warkoczewski, School of Community Leadership and Development
Yong Zhuang, Information Sciences & Technology
OUSTANDING FINAL PROJECT
Candace, Murray, Literacy Studies