This award recognizes doctoral student excellence as a leader who embodies the ideals expressed in the Walden University Mission. Presented bi-annually for Distinguished Leadership, Scholarship, and Mentorship honoring a graduating doctoral student for leadership contributions that have increased in breadth and depth to the Walden University communities during their doctoral program.
Nominations
Nominations open: Year-round
Recipient announced: Board of Directors Honors and Awards Ceremony
Nominees: Doctoral Students
Nominators: Walden Faculty
Eligibility and Criteria
General Criteria
The Leadership Excellence Award recognizes doctoral students who have made outstanding contributions through their leadership to the Walden University community over the duration of their time at Walden. Although the student’s academic record will be part of the criteria for eligibility, the breadth and depth of their leadership will be considered as well.
Eligibility for nomination is based on Walden’s core values of scholarship, leadership and service. Award recipients must be in good academic and disciplinary standing and demonstrate a balance of academic and co-curricular excellence. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is expected for award recipients.
- Students must be eligible for graduation with degree conferral during the next commencement period.
- Faculty submit nominations.
Award Process
- One doctoral student will be selected per college as the college winner
- Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
- College of Nursing
- College of Health Sciences and Public Policy
- College of Management and Human Potential
- College of Social and Behavioral Health
- College of Psychology and Community Services
- College of Allied Health
- One doctoral student as the overall winner.
Note: The overall winner will be invited to the Board of Directors Honors and Awards Ceremony for presentation of the award.
If you have any questions, contact OAAadmin@mail.waldenu.edu.
Faculty: Nominate a graduating doctoral student for this award
Previous Recipients
Winter 2025: Sigifredo Castell Britton, PhD, College of Psychology and Community Services
Summer 2024: Raquel R. Hernandez, PhD, College of Health Sciences and Public Policy
Winter 2024: Maria D. Santiago, EdD, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
Summer 2023: Jason D'Souza, DBA, College of Management and Human Potential
Winter 2023: Yvonne Greer, DrPH, College of Health Sciences and Public Policy
Summer 2022: Charity Adams, DBA, College of Management and Human Potential
Winter 2022: Shannon Long, DNP, College of Health Professions
Summer 2021: Lucretia Starnes, DBA, College of Management and Technology
Winter 2021: Nadia Delanoy, PhD, College of Management and Technology
Summer 2020: Xellex Rivera, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Winter 2020: Shagranda Traveler, College of Management and Technology
Summer 2019: Mary Mollway, Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership
Winter 2019: Kimberly Wilson, Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership
Summer 2018: Lamonte B. Tyler, College of Management and Technology