Formal Fits. Fresh Kicks. Big Wins!

May 5, 2026

Dallas College students showed up and showed out at the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Friday, May 1, for the annual Student Leadership Awards and Sneaker Ball, a night where style met celebration.

Decked out in gowns, suits and their freshest sneakers, students celebrated their peers who are shaping our campuses through leadership, service and impact.

As Dallas College’s biggest night of student leadership, the evening brought together students, advisors and leaders to recognize the outstanding individuals shaping our communities.

Surrounded by historic aircraft, the venue perfectly captured the night’s theme: “Soar Beyond Limits — Where resilient leaders take flight.” It was a reminder that leadership often means rising above challenges, breaking boundaries and boldly charting your own course.

Top honors included our Chancellor’s Award and seven campus Student of the Year winners. With additional honors from SPACE, Intercultural and Global Student Engagement and student organizations, the night was full of well-deserved recognition.

The evening also included the Student Government Association Swearing-In Ceremony for newly elected officers for 2026-2027, including the inaugural Student Government Association Online Campus Executive Board.

Kent Ho was named Student Leader of the Year for Dallas College’s Richland Campus and took home the Chancellor’s Award.

Ho shared that pursuing leadership roles is a way to both motivate others and to help create future role models. “It's not about getting gold, silver or bronze; it's about the work that you put in and also the willingness to put the effort into it.” 

Every award represented countless hours of hard work, heart and commitment to uplifting others.

For Angela Lopez-Oliverie, winning the Student Leader of the Year award for Dallas College’s Mountain View Campus was surreal.

She shared the following message with her fellow students: “Know that your efforts are worth it no matter what. Whether it's personal or professional, growth is happening … Learning to be a leader with leaders around you will help you reach your full potential.”

Congratulations to all the award winners whose leadership helps Dallas College soar beyond limits!

Chancellor Award 

• Kent Ho, Richland   

Student Leader of the Year 

• Noor Shamout, Brookhaven   

• Alex Garza, Cedar Valley   

• Cynthia Cruces, Eastfield   

• Amblessed Chisom Okwu, El Centro   

• Angela Lopez-Oliverie, Mountain View  

• Cristian Henriquez, North Lake  

• Kent Ho, Richland  

Out-of-This-World Award 

• Melissa Daniel, El Centro 

• Benjamin Donnells, North Lake 

• Abril Moreno, Mountain View 

• Mark Vazquez, Cedar Valley   

Visionary Award 

• Samantha Ratcliffe, Brookhaven 

Universal Unity Award 

• Marcus Miranda, Richland 

Execution Engineer of Excellence 

• Alex Garza, Cedar Valley 

Fitness Titan Award 

• Jakalyna Gardner, Cedar Valley 

• Alexander Piggatt, Cedar Valley 

• Abraham Rangel, Eastfield 

• Shakiya Norozi, Eastfield 

• Yamilet Galindo, El Centro 

• Noah Esparza, El Centro 

• Abel Oliva, Mountain View 

• Stacey Rebolloso, Richland 

• Mcdimieri Mcsam, Richland 

• Cade Ferguson, North Lake  

Intercultural and Global Engagement Ambassador 

• Diane Uche, Richland 

• Maha Khurram, Eastfield 

• Muhammad Ahmed, Brookhaven 

• Raffaela Melone, North Lake 

• Alice Vincent, Richland 

• Harry Sailale, Mountain View 

Outstanding Student Organization of the Year 

• The International Club, North Lake 

• Active Minds, Brookhaven 

• Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), Brookhaven 

• Muslim Student Association, Richland 

Community Service 

• Oliver Garcia, Eastfield 

• Meer Ibrahim, Richland 

• McDuff McSam Nnee, Richland 

• Tamara Gilreath, Eastfield 

• Mark Anthony Vasquez, Cedar Valley 

• Xochitl Martinez, Cedar Valley 

• Alexis Serna, Brookhaven 

Student Organization Program of the Year Award 

• The Muslim Student Association, Richland 

Student Organization Leader of the Year 

• Jesus Gonzalez, Richland 

• Caitlyn Pitts, Cedar Valley 

• Faria Khan, Brookhaven 

• Marina Barba Ales, North Lake 

• Maria Gomez Mejia, Mountain View 

• Maha Khurram, Eastfield 

Emerging Organization of the Year 

• The Magic Club, Mountain View 

Student Organization Spirit Award 

• Gracie Xie, Richland 

OSLE Individual Spirit Award 

• Miranda Minor, El Centro 

Emerging Leader of the Year 

• Katia Miralrio, Brookhaven 

• Maria Giraldo, Richland 

• Aksa Alsa Mathew, Brookhaven 

• Rodrigo Rodriguez, El Centro 

• Baniela Pascaltchi Djereke, North Lake 

• Madison Cobb, Cedar Valley 

• Nestor Resendiz, Mountain View 

Advisor of the Year 

• Dr. Jon Ewing, Alpha Alpha Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa 

• Geoffrey Manzi, Alpha Alpha Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa 

• Shaouri Zhu, International Students Club – Richland/North Lake 

Student Leader Community Service and Civic Engagement 

• Ashley Ho, Richland 

• Nicholas Fernandez, North Lake 

Rising Professional Award 

• Zacharia Nyamache, Basic Needs and Community Connections 

Student Worker of the Year 

• Thanh Phan 

Career Skills Development Student Excellence Award 

• David Lukwipa 

• Campus News