Student Awards

Aaliyah Brown, B.A. Criminology

Aaliyah Brown made a conscious decision to make the most of her college experience, and her academic journey proves her dedication to this goal. She started by joining the Black Student Union and getting elected as a Community Engagement Coordinator and later as the President.

These roles allowed her to form connections with other organizations and cultivate her leadership skills by providing a safe space for other students. She worked with the Office of New Student Programs as an Orientation Leader, joined the First-Year Experience program as a Peer Mentor, and served as a Camp Counselor for Camp Central.

Her commitment extends off campus under her roles as a Corps Member for the AmeriCorps Jumpstart Program, volunteer work for United Way’s Read Across America event, and position as an Intern for the Connecticut Judicial Branch in the Hartford Juvenile Residential Services.

With a 3.70 GPA and as a member of the Zeta Kappa Criminal Justice Honor Society, she looks forward to defending her master’s thesis next year.

Gabriel Garcia, B.A. Physics & Philosophy

Throughout his academic journey, Gabe Garcia acquired many achievements. He earned a 3.89 GPA and joined an undergraduate research team that demanded rigorous work but cumulated into multiple presentations at meetings like American Physical Society and American Association for the Advancement of Science among others.

He cites his experience in the STORM Research Experience for Undergraduates as informative as it introduced him to the field of metrology. He balanced these research initiatives with a commitment to Central. He served as the Vice President in the Physics and Philosophy clubs and as the treasurer to both the Society of Mathematics and Table Tennis Club.

He helped facilitate an active community in these clubs and planned several events like the Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser, “Physics Day,” Integration Bee, and more.

He plans to continue his studies in atmospheric physics as well as any other subfields that interest him.

Logan Moore, B.S. Biology (Secondary Education)

Logan Moore cites education, and being an educator, as the single greatest force for improving lives. His academic career at Central exemplifies this belief. He achieved a 3.97 GPA in Biology for Secondary Education, making the Dean’s List every year, and worked in the Learning Center as a Biology Peer Tutor.

He paired his love for teaching with his love for pole vaulting when he became a volunteer track and field coach and worked as an assistant teacher for Horizons at the Ethel Walker School off campus.

He balanced his teaching experiences with work with his biology studies in an internship at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, volunteering with the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, and working at the Woodland Gardens.

He plans to continue his education by receiving two master’s and his doctorates in education to achieve his goal of inspiring and improving the education of everyone he meets.

Rumman Shahzad, B.S. Computer Science

Rumman Shahzad joined Central with a curiosity about computer science that grew into a deep commitment to using software engineering to support the communities around him.

He joined the Muslim Student Association and later held a position as Event Coordinator, became a Peer Leader in the First-Year Experience program, and was chosen as a Scrum Leader for the Software Engineering studio.

He dedicated himself to his role as a Senior Software Engineer in the Central Robotics Lab by personally investigating any issues the students are struggling with to effectively guide them. He balanced this work with research papers and posters that were presented at meetings like S-STEM Scholars Meeting, NASA Connecticut Space Grant Expo, among others.

He cultivates community outside the school as well by contributing to the Islamic Circle of North America on the national IT Tools Team and locally as a core team member. With a 3.99 GPA, he plans to use what he learned in his graduate studies to contribute to technological advancements and societal development.

Aaliyah Brown, B.A. Criminology

In addition to her academic pursuits, Aaliyah Brown dedicated her time at Central helping people on- and off-campus. She provided support to first- and second-year students by coaching them on academic tips and goal setting as a Peer Mentor for Success Central.

Aaliyah also volunteered in a fourth-grade classroom as part of United Way’s Read Across America and was a counselor for students at Camp Central. She cultivated leadership skills first as Community Engagement Coordinator and then as President of Central’s Black Student Union where she participated in outreach activities and collaborated with various organizations.

In a letter recommending her for the President’s Citation, the writer said Aalyiah’s role as a Student Coordinator in the First-Year Experience program helped new students “navigate their entry into the university and build a strong foundation for their academic journey.”

Aalyiah graduates as a member of the Zeta Kappa Criminal Justice Honor Society and continues her Central journey this fall in the Accelerate Central Criminal Justice program working toward her master’s degree.

Montgomery Rios, B.A. Strategic Communications

In a recommendation, Montgomery is described as a positive influence and committed to uplifting others. Her passion and pride for Central can be seen in everything she does.

As the Cheer Captain, she was recognized by her team members for the welcoming personality and upbeat presence as she led them through Nationals on Central’s first co-ed team.

This passion is also present in her work as an Orientation Leader where she fostered a welcoming atmosphere to help transition new students into Central for three years. She was also one of the first Commuter Assistants where she established programs and initiatives focused towards supporting commuters.

In addition to her talent for connecting with students, Montgomery remained committed to her academic journey receiving a 3.87 GPA and making the Dean’s List for five years

Logan Palardy, B.A. Economics

Logan demonstrates an outstanding commitment to improving the community around him and leading by example. He started by joining the Student Government Association as a Senator and worked his way up to be elected as the Treasurer and President.

As the Treasurer, he ran several budgeting information sessions organized several charity events as the President. Logan’s work to support the community extends in other areas as well, such as his time as a Resident Assistant, where he held study sessions and LinkedIn workshops for his residents.

He made improvements in his work at Campus Recreation where he was promoted to the Area Supervisor of Membership and established a new and more efficient Lost and Found system.

Even with his dedication to supporting and building the community, Logan continued to receive high academic marks achieving a 3.90 GPA making the Dean’s and President’s List.

Kadiatou Konate, B.S. Nursing

Kadiatou Konate joined the Central Activities Network to get involved on campus and found herself drawn to leadership by first serving as the Outreach Coordinator before being elected the organization’s President, which also means serving on the university’s Student Board of Governors.

She embraced opportunities to serve her fellow students and prospective students as a campus tour guide showing visitors Central’s beautiful facilities and as an Orientation Leader helping new Blue Devils prepare for their freshman year.

Kadiatou put her Central nursing education to work for the community by participating in the Remote Area Medical clinic to provide quality care to underserved residents at the Windham Senior Center. She said this gave her insight into teamwork, compassion, and community need while sharpening her desire to provide high-quality, patient-centered care that makes a meaningful impact on patients.

Following graduation, Kadiatou plans to pursue graduate nursing programs in preparation for advanced clinical practice toward her goal of becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

Marissa McPherson, B.S. Dance Ed/Entrepreneurship

Marissa McPherson started her Central career at 14 years old as a Newington High School dual-enrollment student. She embraced her time as a Blue Devil joining the Dancecentral student dance company serving as President.

In this role, Marissa led club members as a choreographer, student director, and producer of shows. She oversaw photoshoots, budget proposals, tech rehearsals, costumes, and managed fundraising events. Marissa served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Dance helping her professor with student activities and projects throughout the course.

She also helped a Department of Exercise Science professor by teaching classes at senior centers and by collecting information for research on how dance impacted seniors’ lives. A letter recommending Marissa for the President’s Citation states that her Dancecentral “peers and I are very lucky to have had her.

We are proud to have a student such as Marissa to represent our school, department, and student body.” She graduates with high honors and plans to pursue a law degree and master’s degree in media production.

Celimar Rivera Santos, B.S. Nursing

Over her tenure at Central, Celimar dedicated herself to not only her studies but also advocating and educating the community around her. She volunteered at several clinics, where she performed health screenings and educated parents on health literacy by demonstrating what they should expect from doctor visits.

Her academic advisor recognized her for her outstanding leadership which Celimar showcases through her work as a mentor to undergraduate students. She’s continued to prioritize the success of others by presenting at the Legislative breakfast on the potential of Central and at the “Un Cafecito” presentation where she educated Spanish-speaking parents of new students on the impact of college life and how to support their child.

In addition to all her accomplishments, she’s continued to excel with a 3.97 GPA.