The Graduate School of Social Service is proud to announce the award and scholarship recipients for the Class of 2025. For more on the 2025 Commencement, please visit our website.
Dr. Peter B. Vaughan NASW Student Award (New York City)
Grace Laria
“I am so grateful to receive the Dr. Peter B Vaughan award. I want to thank my Fordham community for supporting my journey as a social work student, particularly the women of Her Migrant Hub for their patience, strength, and hopefulness. As I move forward, I am committed to honoring Dr. Vaughan’s legacy of service by integrating my background in legal services with my social work education. By using an interdisciplinary, client-centered approach, I will continue to fight for the rights of immigrant and system-impacted communities in New York.”
Jake Schefer
“I can’t begin to say how much it means to me that the New York City Chapter of the NASW granted me the Dr. Peter B. Vaughan student award. To be recognized in this way by my peers is a true honor. I’d like to thank my wife, my family, my friends, and especially all the new friends I have made during this social work program, whose support has helped me earn my degree. I have worked hard over these last two years to learn and use social work principles to help communities, individuals, and families thrive. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the immigrant communities I’ve worked with over the last two years. I hope if anything, this award brings awareness to other social workers of the importance of working with immigrants, undocumented or documented. It’s so important, especially now, as they are being targeted. This is a population that needs more social workers! And lastly, and most importantly, this award will serve as yet another reminder for me to always fight for the oppressed wherever they may be.”
NASW Student Award (Connecticut)
Isaac Araujo
“For starters, when I received the news that I had been nominated for this award, I already felt extremely honored and appreciated. The amount of things that many graduate students juggle – school, internship, work, personal life, quiet struggles, etc. – can be so unbelievably demanding that it should not be a surprise if they collapse under the weight of it all. Seriously, the pursuit of higher education can resemble The Hunger Games… and, yes: may the odds be EVER in your favor!
Despite experiencing a lot of that pressure this past year, pursuing higher education and fighting for success have always been two of the most important goals of my life, and if one adds my perfectionist nature to the mix – which, sometimes, needs to be tamed for the sake of survival – those goals morph into demands.
Fortunately, with the assistance of outstanding instructors, supervisors, acquaintances, and my parents, the goals surpassed even the category of “demands” and transformed into realities! I have reached the end… and receiving the news that I actually won this award felt like being given a monumental trophy at the end of a long, taxing, yet important and enlightening battle. I look forward to reaping even more benefits from this beautiful accomplishment and applying my knowledge where needed to help improve the world!”
Maggie Simon
“Thank you for this honor and recognition! I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to pursue an MSW degree, and for the breadth of experiences Fordham has offered—online, in London, and at Lincoln Center. I especially appreciate my peers, professors, and supervisors who challenged and inspired us to move beyond envisioning, toward actively creating a better, more just program and world. In a time when critical thinking and creative approaches that cultivate hope and action are more important than ever, I’m leaving the program with a greater sense of my role in creating change and gratitude for the relationships built along the way.”
St. Peter Claver Award
Christine A. Bonaci
“Receiving the St. Peter Claver Award is a profound honor. His life—one of radical compassion in the face of injustice—inspires the path I walk in social work. As someone shaped by both personal trauma and years of bearing witness to others’ pain—as a former detective and now a trauma therapist in training—I carry a deep commitment to serving those who’ve been silenced, overlooked, or harmed by the very systems meant to protect them. This award affirms the importance of work that is rooted in empathy, truth-telling, and justice—work I intend to carry forward long after graduation.”
Supriya Chabria
“As a career changer, returning to school felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I made a promise to myself to make the most of it. That commitment became my compass, but it was the support of this incredible community that truly carried me through. I walked in alone, but I’m walking out surrounded by mentors, friends, and fellow travelers who helped shape this journey. Receiving this award feels like a meaningful validation of that commitment and the growth that’s come from it.”
Gloria Figueroa
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the St. Peter Claver Award. This recognition holds special meaning for me not only because of its connection to a legacy of compassion, justice, and unwavering dedication to marginalized communities, but also because it reflects the values that have guided my journey throughout graduate school. St. Peter Claver’s life and work, his commitment to dignity, service, and solidarity with the oppressed, have inspired generations, and I am grateful to be associated with that legacy. Throughout my studies, I have strived to lead with integrity, empathy, empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
This award reminds me that meaningful change often begins with small acts of presence, care, and advocacy. As I start the next chapter of my career, I carry this recognition with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility. Thank you for this incredible honor; it fuels my passion to continue standing alongside those whose voices deserve to be heard and recognized. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to my family and friends, who have encouraged me and stood by my side throughout my MSW.”
Pamela Gawley
“The best way to go find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mitchell Selzer
“Receiving this award is both emotional and deeply rewarding. My path into social work has been one of steady growth, guided by perseverance and purpose. Before returning to school, I wasn’t sure what direction my life would take—but I knew I wanted to help others. For a long time, fear kept me from pursuing my education, but I didn’t want to live with regrets or look back one day wondering, “What if?” or saying, “If only.” Going back to school to become a social worker helped me rediscover a path I had once veered from. I’m deeply thankful to my loved ones—and to God—for carrying me through this journey. I look forward to continuing this work and helping others find their way, too.”
CICNY Award
Ashley Walkes
“I want to sincerely thank the GSS Graduation Awards Committee for selecting me as this year’s recipient of the CICNY Award. I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. As a Black woman of Caribbean descent, this journey has been personal, powerful, and rooted in purpose. My lived experiences have shaped my commitment to justice and fueled my dedication to advocating for communities that are too often overlooked—particularly Black and Brown communities. Through my MSW studies at Fordham and my work, working with underserved individuals within the child welfare field, I have focused on advancing equity, challenging systemic racism, and creating affirming spaces. There are simply no words to describe my endless gratitude for my peers and professors at Fordham GSS, whose guidance and support kept me inspired, challenged, and encouraged throughout my three-year MSW journey. My faith has also sustained me through it all. I carry with me the words of Psalm 46:5: “God Is Within Her, She Will Not Fall.” This verse has reminded me to stay grounded in purpose, even during moments of doubt. Receiving this award is not only an honor—it affirms the values I strive to uphold every day as a social worker, advocate, and believer in the power of love and justice.”
The Esther Jean Arnhold Award
Shauntel Hylton
Simone Les
“There’s always some reservation when approaching a new career discipline. However, within social work and at GSS, I was able to utilize and celebrate the skills I already had as a performer. Social work and theatre artistry both foster the connection between people, the community, and the world beyond themselves. I want to thank my research advisor and mentor Dr. Sameena Azhar for championing me and my pursuit of integrating art into direct clinical practice. I am so grateful for this recognition.”
John G. Sullivan Award
Juan Carlos Espinal
“My MSW journey at Fordham has been defined by walking alongside youth and families navigating complex systems, especially at the intersection of education and housing insecurity. Working in schools gave me a firsthand look at how homelessness disrupts not just shelter, but learning, growth, and connection. Receiving the John G. Sullivan Award affirms my commitment to continuing this work with empathy, accountability, and the belief that every young person deserves both a safe place to sleep and a place to thrive.”
Antonio Molestina
“It is a great honor to receive the John G. Sullivan Award. John Sullivan dedicated the final years of his life to helping individuals in New York City experiencing homelessness. It would be the fulfillment of a life-long ambition for me to follow even remotely in his footsteps. I have been involved in the homeless service sector of New York City for many years, and I hope to continue that work as I steer my career towards social work. Fordham’s School of Social Service has prepared me to work more meaningfully and impactfully with the most vulnerable members of our society, including individuals experiencing homelessness in New York City, and John Sullivan’s example will serve to inspire and guide me through this work.”
Ann Walsh Award
Laura Gaudio
“It is such an honor to receive the Ann Walsh Award in recognition of my commitment to social change. As an educator turned social worker, I am deeply grateful to the mentors and teachers who have supported my growth, nurtured my curiosity, and helped me build the skills I rely on every day. I am equally inspired by my students and by the communities that have welcomed me with openness and trust. This recognition reminds me that I am not alone in working toward a kinder, more equitable society.”
JoAnne McMahon
“I am truly honored to receive the Ann Walsh Award. My journey through the MSW program at Fordham has been one of immense personal growth, resilience, and transformation. As a mother of two young adults and someone who experienced the profound loss of my mother, my biggest cheerleader, during this time, this recognition holds a special place in my heart. It affirms the strength I’ve discovered within myself and the passion I hold for supporting others through social work. My time at Fordham has been such a valuable experience that challenged me, supported me, and truly helped me grow into the person I am today. This award is a reflection of that journey. It’s also a reminder that even through grief and tough times, staying committed to healing and justice really does make a difference. I truly believe that being kind and standing up for social justice in everyday ways can lead to real, lasting change.”
Meredith Outwater
“I am so honored by this recognition. When I made the decision to return to school and pursue my MSW at Fordham University as part of a career transition, I knew only one thing for certain: I wanted to create meaningful change and foster a sense of connection and belonging for all. I trusted the path would reveal itself—and it did, in ways I never could have imagined.
The journey has been rich with insight, growth, and purpose. Dr. Linda White-Ryan’s course on substance abuse was truly transformational; she is a gifted and inspiring educator. And she is just one among many professors who challenged us to expand our thinking and see the world through new lenses.
I am profoundly grateful not only for the skills and knowledge I’ve gained, but also for the friendships, mentorship, and sense of community I’ve found. I am surrounded by passionate, dedicated peers—each striving in their own way to bring about both subtle and sweeping social change. To be recognized among them is both humbling and motivating.”
Katie Schendel
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Ann Walsh Award and to be recognized for a commitment to social change. When I came to Fordham, my experience was based in clinical work, where I witnessed firsthand how deeply rooted systemic inequalities create barriers to change. With the guidance of my extraordinary professors, I’ve grown into a macro social worker—engaging in research, leading advocacy efforts, and collaborating with international organizations to improve services for those too often overlooked. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Acevedo, Dr. Azhar, Dr. Popescu, Dean Congress, and our incredible student communities at Fordham and across New York City. Your support and passion have fueled my commitment to social justice and reminded me that real change is always a collective effort.”
Laura Sutter
“It’s an incredible honor to receive the Ann Walsh Award, especially as someone who is both a student and staff member at the Graduate School of Social Service. Earning my MSW while working full time, completing two internships, and raising a family has been a demanding but meaningful journey. The experience has deepened my commitment to social change and broadened my understanding of the profession. I’ve been continually inspired by the students I serve and the faculty I’ve learned from. I’m proud to be part of a community so dedicated to the values of social work.”
The Thea Bowman, Ph.D., F.S.P.A., Research Award
Leslie K. Ince
“I am deeply honored to receive the Thea Bowman, Ph.D., F.S.P.A. Research Award from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. This recognition affirms the years of dedication and perseverance that shaped my doctoral journey. Pursuing my Ph.D. at Fordham has been a transformative experience—one that challenged me to grow not only as a scholar but as an advocate for equity and justice in social work. Winning this award reinforces my commitment to producing research that amplifies marginalized voices and addresses systemic disparities. As Dr. Bowman once said, “We are called to walk together in a new way toward that land of promise and to celebrate who we are and whose we are.“ This award is a celebration of that calling, and I am grateful to contribute to this ongoing work.”
