Academic Guides: Walden University Awards: Outstanding Alumni Award

Overview

Since 2001, Walden has recognized the achievements of our graduates through the Outstanding Alumni Award. This honor is given each summer to one alum who exemplifies Walden’s mission to effect positive social change through contributions to his or her profession, discipline, or community.

Submit a Nomination

Timeline

Do you know someone who is worthy of this accolade? To be eligible, a nominee must:

Be a Walden graduate.
Not have already received the award.
Be available to attend the Board of Directors Honors and Awards Ceremony adjacent to the next summer commencement.
Be nominated by someone other than themselves.

If you would like to be considered for this award, I encourage you to reach out to a fellow graduate, faculty member, or colleague and ask them to nominate you on your behalf.

The deadline for nominations is Sunday, April 21, 2024. You can submit your nomination using the button below.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@mail.waldenu.edu.

Submit a Nomination

Recipients

2023: Dr. Dean Michael Aguon

2022: Dr. Nadine Lukes-Dyer

2021: Dr. Alvin Mena

(DNP ’17 and MSN ’15)

2020: Kay Ramsey

Dr. Kay Ramsey is a 2017 PhD in Public Policy Administration graduate and Executive Branch Director Bethany Christian Services of Southern California.

As a former foster youth and adoptee, Dr. Ramsey has a personal commitment to her work as she has triumphed beyond adversity throughout her life. Dr. Ramsey’s post-doc research focuses on social change initiatives for underserved populations in the areas of foster care, emancipated youth and social justice.

2019: LaRonda Howard

LaRonda Howard is a Master of Public Health graduate and CEO and founder of H.E.R. Story Productions LLC, an affiliate of HOPE Empowerment Resources (H.E.R.) LLC. Howard is a certified professional life coach, author, trainer, and motivational speaker. After publishing her book Finding Freedom in Forgiveness, H.E.R. Story Productions was born as a storytelling platform to help others share their stories and heal from their past wounds.

In addition to hosting speaking events, Howard is very active in her church, serving on global missions trips, leading fundraising efforts, and serving as a small-group leader for singles in the church. On a missions trip to Peru, she helped coordinate anger management activities for a men’s rehabilitation center, and she was the lead event coordinator for the inaugural “One City, One Vision” event in Jacksonville, Florida.

From the judges: “LaRonda has committed herself to making a positive difference in the lives of others. In the process of taking back herself, she was able to encourage others to do the same. She is showing others how to turn stumbling blocks into steppingstones.”