On April 24, 2026, the School of Social Work—housed in the Syracuse University School of Education—held its annual ceremony to honor students involved with the Genovese Scholars, Evidence-based Practice, and Assessment Project programs; bestow graduate and undergraduate Convocation awards; and induct new members into the Phi Alpha Honor Society.
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Undergraduate Awards
Keith Alford Diversity and Inclusion Award
Named in honor of Professor Keith Alford, formerly Syracuse University Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Director of the School of Social Work, M.S.W. Program Director, and B.S.S.W. Program Director.
Recipient: Amaya Saintal ’26
Saintal is a graduating senior placed at Henninger High School and the Public Service Leadership Academy (Syracuse City School District) as a Peaceful Schools Intern, where she has assisted in conducting focus groups and help to start a mentorship program connecting Henninger and Syracuse University students.
Elizabeth Brown Thoreck Student Achievement Award
Presented to a non-traditional undergraduate student.
Recipient: Corrina Ritchie ’26
Ritchie is a senior social work student, single mother, and commuter student, traveling over an hour each way to and from school. She is placed at the House of the Good Shepherd where she supports children and families involved in child welfare and behavioral health systems, with a strong focus on trauma-informed, client-centered care.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work Award
Given to a Social Work graduating senior in good academic standing.
Recipient: Grace Pierpont ’26
Pierpont has earned a B.S. in Social Work and B.A. in Political Science and completed her B.S.S.W. field placement at the Onondaga County Department of Social Services Economic Security 2-Generation (2Gen) Poverty Reduction Program.
Scholastic Excellence Award
Given to the student with the highest cumulative GPA among graduating seniors.
Recipient: Chloe Mack ’26
Mack interned at the Loretto Cunningham Building long term care facility in Syracuse.
Catherine Mary Esposito Achievement Undergraduate Award
Given to an outstanding undergraduate student who has demonstrated commitment to clients with developmental disabilities.
Recipient: Belinda Chan ’26
Chan interns with the Huntington Observation and Parent Education (HOPE) program at the Huntington Family Center in Syracuse, where she supports supervised visitation for parents and children in foster care and relative placement.
Graduate Awards
Keith Alford Diversity and Inclusion Award
Named in honor of Professor Keith Alford, formerly Syracuse University Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Director of the School of Social Work, M.S.W. Program Director, and B.S.S.W. Program Director.
Recipient: Shaina Epstein
Located in the Bay Area of California, Epstein is completing her third year of the online M.S.W. program. She works in residential treatment with individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders, where she uses a strengths-based approach to guide clients through critical moments in early recovery.
Mary Pat Cotter Remembrance Award
Given to a second year graduate student for their contributions to substance abuse and HIV/AIDS care.
Recipient: Madeline Johns ’28
Originally from California, Johns provides individual therapy and facilitates group sessions, including those focused on recovery from substance use, at Helio Health.
Kenneth J. Marfilius Student Veteran Award
Given to a graduate student in good academic standing who is a military veteran.
Recipient: Uma Lama G’26
Originally from Nepal, Lama serves in the Syracuse University Army ROTC program. Alongside her military responsibilities, she is completing her internship at the Syracuse VA Center She will be commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps in May 2026.
Catherine Mary Esposito Achievement Graduate Award
Given to an outstanding graduate student who has demonstrated commitment to clients with developmental disabilities.
Recipient: Sarah Blair
Blair is currently completing her field placement at Syracuse Jewish Family Service, where she works with older adults in the M-Power U Arts and Minds program, including individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism, as well as those experiencing early memory loss.
Rhonda B Cohen Prize in Gerontology Award
Named in honor of Rhonda Cohen G’83, an advocate for the elderly.
Recipient: Hanna Toussaint G’26
Toussaint will complete the M.S.W. program in August 2026. She is currently completing her field placement in the Adult Day Health Program at Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located in Long Island, NY.
Virginia Insley Award
Given to an outstanding M.S.W. student interested in maternal and child health.
Recipient: Alexa Dersovitz G’26
Dersovitz interned at the SUNY Upstate Child and Adolescent clinic.
Carrie Jefferson Smith Social Justice Graduate Award
Given to a student who has demonstrated commitment to social justice, particularly in the area of improving the lives of victims impacted by the continuum of domestic violence.
Recipient: Keianah Green G’26
Originally from the Bronx, Green relocated to Syracuse with her family, where she now serves as a Victim Advocate at McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center. She completed her Clinical Social Work internship in the Therapy Department at McMahon Ryan, continuing to support children and families impacted by trauma and violence.