Syed Arif

My name is Syed Arif, and I am a rising sophomore at Fairleigh Dickinson University. I am in an early acceptance program with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and am currently pursuing a major in Biology. In addition to being a member of my university's Honors Program, I am involved with the Student Government Association and the Muslim Student Association on campus. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, playing pick-up soccer, and spending time with family and friends. In the future, I hope to better serve my community and society as a physician.

Laura Blanco

My name is Laura Blanco, and I recently earned a B.S. in Neuroscience from Cedar Crest College. My thesis focused on Alzheimer's disease and the physical, psychological, and social effects that the disease has on the patient and the caregiver. I am passionate about making complex research accessible and empathetic, especially when referring to individuals facing severe medical conditions. I aim to pursue a career in research or academic science, integrating neuroscience, psychology, and ethics to promote more inclusive and responsible communication in science. 

Evan Block

My name is Evan Block, and I graduated from the Honors College at UAlbany in May 2025 with a BS in Human Biology. I joined the Evolution and Biomechanics Lab at SUNY Albany, under the supervision of Dr. John Polk, during my sophomore year. My honors thesis focused on evaluating the accuracy of linear displacement measurements of wearable motion sensors, which can be used to predict fall risk. The 2025 NRHC Conference theme, Civic Engagement at the Crossroads, encouraged me to reflect on the broader impact of gait measurement research. Falls remain a leading risk of morbidity and mortality among older adults, and this work has strengthened my commitment to improving care for the aging population and solidified my decision to apply to medical school this May. 

Louie Burke

 Louie Burke transferred from CCAC to the University of Pittsburgh and will be majoring in Law, Criminal Justice, and Society. Louie’s school career started out rocky and he was unsure of what to do, but being a part of CCAC’s Honors Program provided him with more opportunities and a better pathway. Writing has always been an important part of his life, as both of his parents are published writers. Louie grew up writing stories, particularly about zombies, and has always thought of himself as a strong creative writer. Besides story writing, Louie also likes to play guitar, write song lyric,s and sing. 

Isabella Centeno Solis

Isabella Centeno Solis is an Honors College graduate from Frederick Community College. She received her Associate of Arts in History in December 2024. During her time at FCC, Isabella was an Honors Peer Mentor, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and worked on both the College Project and Honors in Action Project, as well as a Student Representative on the Honors Advisory Board. Isabella was also nominated for the Portz Award for Outstanding Maryland Honors Student at the 2025 Maryland Collegiate Honors Council Conference. Outside of classes, Isabella volunteers at a non-profit museum called Heritage Frederick. She is now a student at the University of Maryland, College Park, on a full Frederick Douglass scholarship – a prestigious merit scholarship for transfer students from Maryland community colleges. Here, she is majoring in History and minoring in Spanish Language, Cultures, and Professional Contexts. In the future, Isabella hopes to complete grad school and become a museum curator, as well as travel the world.

Alejandra de la Cruz

Alejandra “AJ” de la Cruz is studying Creative Writing and minoring in Gender Studies and Psychology at Point Park University. AJ primarily writes poetry and essays, both creative nonfiction and academic, and often centers the self. Queer futurity, sexual behavior, and feminist theory are subjects of intrigue to AJ. You can find AJ crocheting sweaters and listening to Ethel Cain most evenings. 

Bianca De La Cruz

Bianca De La Cruz is an undergraduate at Mercy University, where she is majoring in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Investigations and minoring in Biology. Along with being part of Mercy’s Global Honors program, Bianca is a member of the McNair Scholars program. As a McNair Scholar, Bianca is currently conducting research on child protective service protocols to expose long-standing inequities and push for reforms. Beyond her academic work, Bianca volunteers in English literacy programs for English learners, helping others gain the language skills needed for self-advocacy and opportunity. She enjoys baking and reading literature in her spare time. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school, earning a degree in social work or a specialized forensic field. She hopes to bring Child Protective Service reforms and ensure justice is served to victims and their families.

Charlie Dorlon

Charlie Dorlon is a fourth-year student at Chatham University, where they are pursuing a double major in English and Creative Writing. They are the President of Chatham’s Creative Writing Club and Co-President of Chatham’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Their poetry won Honor Mention in Convention Theme at the 2025 Sigma Tau Delta convention, and their critical work won Paper of the Year at the 2025 Northeast Regional Honors Council. In their free time, they enjoy knitting, crocheting, and reading Mary Oliver.

Emily Eisenhard

Emily Eisenhard graduated from Northampton Community College with honors as a General Studies Major. She is transferring to Moravian University to pursue a degree in Communications/Media Studies with a concentration in Marketing. During her time at Northampton Community College, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Honors Club, Student Senate, Art Club, Videogame Club, etc. She enjoys being involved on campus and in her community. She volunteers at festivals and markets whenever she can. Emily's main hobby is art; she wants to continue mixing art and her other hobbies with her future career. She was published three times in her school's art and literary magazine, The Laconic, and this past June, she was involved in a local art gallery for artists of the Lehigh Valley. Emily wants to pursue both a career in fine art and marketing in the entertainment industry. If she were to give any advice, it would be to never stop creating; it's the one thing that makes us human.

Maya Garlick

Maya Garlick is a junior at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. She is majoring in Studio Art with a PreK-12 education certification to become an art teacher. Maya is a very involved student at Albertus, running the school’s Commuter Council, working as the Marketing Director for the Student Government Association, serving as an Executive Board Member for her school’s Honors Program, and working as an Academic Coach at the school’s Student Success Center. She uses these platforms to advocate for commuter students and students with disabilities, as Maya suffers from a disability herself. Outside of school, Maya dedicates a lot of her time to art. She volunteers painting murals in schools and teaching art classes, and she is currently working as an illustrator on a book. Maya is passionate about helping others through her work, which is what she based her undergraduate studies on. In her free time, Maya loves spending time with the people she loves, crocheting, and snuggling up on the couch with her dog Blue. 

Sara Hemaid

I am a sophomore Biology major at Fairleigh Dickinson University and an aspiring dentist. I have always dedicated my time to community service, particularly in healthcare, education, and culturally related areas. I actively volunteer at a local clinic as well as shadow at a dentist's office, where I have assisted patients and gained hands-on experience in dental care. In addition, I contribute to my community by volunteering at an Arabic school, helping students connect to their cultural background and deepen their connection with their identity. These experiences have allowed me to form meaningful relationships through networking and deepened my passion for helping others.

Istisha Ibnat

Istisha Ibnat is an Honors student with a strong interest in healthcare and a deep commitment to serving others. Inspired by her experiences across Bangladesh, Singapore, and the United States, she hopes to become a Physician Assistant who can provide compassionate, patient-centered care. As a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and the National Society of Leadership and Success, she values learning, empathy, and service. Through her Honors education, Istisha strives to grow both intellectually and personally while contributing meaningfully to her community.

Rose Jeffes

Rose Jeffes is an undergraduate student at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania—Lock Haven. She is a double major in Social Work and Psychology and intends to pursue her master's degree in Social Work. She is an active part of campus activities such as Student Associate Director of the Honors College, President of Zeta Tau Alpha Nu at Lock Haven, Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor, Fundraising Chair of Kappa Phi Chapter of Order of Omega, and a part of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. She spends her free time reading and spending time with family and friends and is thrilled to have an opportunity to share her research in the field of child welfare.

Raewyn Kraybill

Raewyn Kraybill is a recent graduate from Chatham University, currently living in Pittsburgh. Their favorite thing to write about, creatively or critically, is the interaction of humans and the rest of nature. Their poetry has been published in Aeolian Harp Volume 8.

Anna Lineburger

Anna Lineburger is a senior at Thomas Jefferson University, pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in landscape design. In her program, Anna is a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society for Architecture and the Allied Arts. She is the Co-Editor in Chief for Jefferson’s Honors Student Newsletter, The Rambler, which highlights student works and experiences. When she is not in the studio, Anna enjoys reading, gardening, sewing, and painting. She plans to continue architectural work post-graduation, focusing on community-driven design with the goal of becoming a licensed architect.

Cloe Loosz

Cloe Loosz is a lifelong Pittsburgher and writer with a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from Point Park University. She currently works in Engagement at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, where she spends her breaks writing in the galleries. Her work has been published in Trill Magazine (lifestyle writing), the Mon Valley Independent (journalistic writing), Illuminate (academic and creative writing), The Magazine at PennWest University (creative writing), and Green Blotter Magazine (creative writing).

Amber Lyons

Amber Lyons is a senior at Westfield State University, majoring in Graphic Design and practicing collage art. They enjoy creating art that reflects their identity. In addition to being part of the Honors Program, Amber is a member of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society and TRIO program as a first-generation college student. They aim to pursue a career in design while incorporating art historical narratives into their work. In their free time, Amber loves participating in their local community’s art, music, and cultural events.

Brianna Mikucki

Brianna Mikucki is an undergraduate student at Dominican University New York. She is majoring in Nursing with a minor in Psychology. In addition to being a part of their Honors Program, she holds a position as a Resident Assistant and plays on the women’s soccer team at Dominican. She is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Chi Alpha Sigma. After graduation, she plans on working as a registered nurse. 

Chris Morrison

Chris Morrison graduated with a degree in English Language & Literature from Stevenson University, where he also minored in both Film & Moving Image and Theatre & Media Performance. He graduated with honors and was also the recipient of the Orsia F. Young Leadership Award for his passionate commitment to multiple extracurricular programs. When not in class, Chris could often be found on stage, in front of the camera, or behind the pen of the Greenspring Review, Stevenson's student literary mag, of which he served as Editor-in-Chief. Now that he's graduated, you might find Chris continuing to develop his writing portfolio, spending time with his cats Juno and Minerva, or doing "literary market research", which is what he calls reading comic books.

Amanda Olachea

Amanda Olachea is a student at Dominican University New York, pursuing a dual major in IT Infrastructure and Cyber Security. As a member of the honors program, Amanda is actively involved in numerous leadership roles across campus. She serves as President of the Anime & Gaming Club, which earned "Club of the Year" for its impact on campus life, and leads Chargers for a Cure, raising awareness and funds for cancer research. Amanda also holds executive positions in the Debate Society, Elite Music, the History Club, and Relay for Life, demonstrating her passion for leadership and community involvement. In addition to her campus activities, Amanda is an Equity & Inclusion Senator in the Student Government Association and has been recognized for her proactive initiatives. She represents Dominican University as a student representative on the Northeastern Regional Honors Council (NRHC) Executive Board, helping organize the upcoming NRHC conference. Amanda’s commitment to advocacy extends beyond campus through her work with Awarding Hope, a nonprofit she co-founded in 2015, which helps individuals with multiple sclerosis access life-changing HSCT treatment. She also gained hands-on experience through internships, including the PHIT program, and currently works in person with Jawonio and the Dominican Sisters.

Lian Peach

Lian Peach is a recent May 2025 graduate of Salisbury University (Salisbury, MD) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with minors in Economics and Quantitative Analysis. She graduated summa cum laude as well as with university honors for completing all requirements of the Bellavance Honors Program in the Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College at Salisbury. Lian is now a candidate for a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Baltimore (Baltimore, MD), while she works on staff at Salisbury University in the Public Affairs Department.

Ashley Pearson

Ashley Pearson, originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, is an Honors student at Monroe
University in New Rochelle, New York, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer
Information Systems. Her professional goals center on data science and project management,
where she hopes to combine analytical thinking with creative problem-solving. Beyond her
career aspirations, Ashley is passionate about research and public speaking. She presented her
study “Family Structure’s Influence on Perspectives of Future Relationships” at the 2025
Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference and enjoys exploring how social and
behavioral insights intersect with technology to better understand human experiences. With
ambition and determination guiding her path, Ashley remains hopeful for a bright and
meaningful future.

Dylan Rehm

Dylan Rehm is in his second year at Bergen Community College, majoring in Science. He currently plans to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant, though his main goal is to work in any field in which he has the ability to help and care for others. He is also very interested in studying natural medicine, acupuncture, and Eastern medicine. He is co-vice president of the Honors Association and works as a tutor at his school. In his free time, he volunteers at a cat shelter and is passionate about many hobbies, such as crocheting, cooking, and playing music. He loves to hike, garden, and connect with nature in as many ways as possible.

Vince Smykal

Vince Smykal is a senior at Point Park University, majoring in Creative Writing. Drawn to the history of Western PA and Appalachia, Vince often writes poetry reflecting on inheritance and labor. He has also conducted research on folk heroes of the working class, namely Mike Mulligan and John Henry. Vince is the President of PPU Writer’s Club and Copy Editor of Point Park’s student-run newspaper, The Globe.

Wallace Tonks

Wallace Tonks is an undergraduate biology major at Russell Sage College and currently working as a lab technician in Sage’s microbiology lab. His research interests in microbiology and biogeochemistry have taken him across the U.S. to study Montana rangelands, Yellowstone mountains, and New York estuaries. With the ultimate goal of conducting research in boreal and polar environments, Wallace is currently looking to broaden his field research experiences through graduate school. Until then, he continues to work on his senior research project with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he is monitoring microplastic contamination in the Hudson River Watershed. 

Gabe Wagstaff

Gabriel "Gabe" Wagstaff is a junior at Southern Connecticut State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and a Bachelor of Arts in English–Creative Writing. On campus, Gabe has been involved as a General Writing Specialist and Course-Based Tutor for the Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services and as a secretary and admissions assistant for the Honors College. Recently, Gabe has grown his skills by facilitating creative writing sessions for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Marrakech Inc.

Jawad Zaman

Jawad Zaman is a sophomore undergraduate Honors student at St. Joseph's University, New York, majoring in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Business Administration. He serves on campus as the President of Go Green and the Book Club, the Treasurer of the Computer Club, and the Chairperson of the Food Pantry Committee. Originally from Bangladesh, Jawad moved to the U.S. in 2024. With over 10 years of coding experience, he is passionate about research conferences, hackathons, science summits, and robotics competitions. Jawad plans to pursue a postgraduate degree after completing his bachelor’s and aims to work in a role that blends technology and business. His academic interests include machine learning, software engineering, and business management. Outside of academics, Jawad enjoys spending time with family, friends, and mentors, and values meaningful personal connections.