Presidential Scholars

Presidential Scholars at SUNY Geneseo are top-achieving members of the senior class who exemplify Geneseo's institutional values and assist the Provost and President in promoting academic excellence on campus.

Nominations are now being accepted for Presidential Scholars to serve during the 2024-25 academic year. Please submit your nominations via this Form before May 1, 2024.

Role of the Presidential Scholar

• Serve as undergraduates who exemplify Geneseo’s institutional values.
• Meet with the Provost (or delegate) on a regular basis to provide advice on academic matters at the college.
• Serve as a student resources on college planning initiatives such as accreditation committees, department program review committees, college advisory committees (e.g., study abroad, Center for Integrative Learning, etc.), the Center for Digital Learning student affiliates, or student organization leadership roles.  Students who do not already have a leadership role on campus will be matched with a suitable opportunity in consultation with the Provost or delegate.
• Assist the Provost’s Office in curating and publicizing stories about student experiences at Geneseo. 

Criteria for Presidential Scholars

To be considered for the honor of Presidential Scholar, a student must be in good academic standing, have at least 70 credits (at least 15 of which being earned at Geneseo), and plan to graduate in May or August of the following year. The student must demonstrate a commitment to Geneseo’s values including:

• A commitment to learning, as evidenced by a record of academic achievement through curriculum and participation in impactful academic work such as, overseas studies, independent study or research, conference presentations, publications, and/or significant artistic or creative projects.
• A commitment to belonging, as evidenced by advocacy for the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice through curricular and co-curricular service and/or other activities.
• A commitment to at least one of the college values of creativity, civic engagement, and sustainability, as evidenced by a record of intellectual curiosity and personal growth, active participation as a member of campus or wider communities, and/or work to advance principles of ecological, social, and economic stewardship.

Selection Process

Students are nominated early in the spring semester, and are then invited to apply to the program. Their application materials are reviewed by a panel of faculty and high-achieving senior students who then make recommendations to the Provost for final approval. 

What are Presidential Scholars?

View this new YouTube video!

2023-24 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Ten students were recently selected to serve as Presidential Scholars for the 2023-24 Academic Year.

• Kayla Andersen, a dual Applied Physics and Sustainability Studies major with a minor in Mathematics
• Madolley Donzo, a dual Psychology and English: Creative Writing major
• Jordyn Grady, a dual History and International Relations major with minors in Anthropology and Political Science
• Nicole Kemmett, a dual Political Science and English major with an Edgar Fellows Honors Program minor
• Xander Michaels, a Biochemistry major with minors in Biomathematics and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Gianna Minnuto, a Biology major with minors in Spanish and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Mack Ogden, a Biochemistry major with a minor in Mathematics
• Noé Stephens, a dual Biology and Spanish major
• Allyson Surowick, a Neuroscience major
• Julia Wallace, a Sociology major with a minor in Spanish

2022-23 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Ten students served as Presidential Scholars for the 2022-23 Academic Year.

• Sydney Carnival, a dual Political Science and Economics major with a minor in International Relations: Global/Political Economics
• Hannah Cole, an International Relations major with a minor in Conflict Studies: Global Perspective
• Taylor Hansen, a Sociomedical Sciences major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Marcie Hogan, a dual Applied Physics and Geography major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Macy Kuebler, a Neuroscience major with a minor in Human Development
• Josephine Lewis, a Communication major with a minor in Conflict Studies: US Social Conflict
• Kathleen McCarey, a dual Communication and English major
• Chryssanthi Tzetzis, a Biology major with a minor in Human Development
• Elizabeth Wisniewski, a History, Adolescence Education: Social Studies major with a minor in Political Science
• Jacob Zaengle, a Philosophy major with a minor in Museum Studies

2021-22 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Fourteen students served as Presidential Scholars for the 2021-22 academic year. 

• Maya Cottone, a Psychology major
• Jillian DeMaria, a dual Sociomedical Sciences and Anthropology major with a minor in Human Development
• Yannis Dimitroff, a Biology major with a minor in Political Science
• Arianna Falletta, a Biology major with a minor in Mathematics
• Cassidy Jones-Goucher, a Psychology major with a minors in Spanish and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Riley Grossman, an Applied Mathematics major with minors in Economics and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Michael Kleinlercher, a dual History and International Relations major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Kaitlin Miron, a Mathematics and Adolescence Education: Mathematics major with minors in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program and German
• Alissa Moeller, a History major with minors in American Studies and Museum Studies
• Katherine Rodgers, a Communication major with a concentration in Journalism and Media
• Vincent Scalcione, a Biology major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Isaac Schiller, an English major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program and a concentration in English/Literature
• Bri Wellenzohn, a Psychology major with a minor in sociology
• Luis Yanez, a dual Physics and Mathematics major

2020-21 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Twelve students served as Presidential Scholars during the 2020-21 academic year. 

• Emma Barrett, a Geography major with a minor in Urban Studies 
• Margaret Deahn, a Geological Sciences major with minors in Geography and Mathematics
• David Cameron Keeley, a Biochemistry major
• Emma Mandella, a dual English and Philosophy major
• Meenu Mundackal, a Biology major with a minor in Human Development
• Drew O'Neil, a Sociomedical Sciences major with minors in Environmental Studies and Public Administration
• Katherine Peter, a dual History and American Studies major with minors in Political Science and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Sophia Piazza, a dual Communication and French major with a minor in Mathematics
• Noelle Staso, a Mathematics major with a minor in Biology
• Jillian Todd, a Women's and Gender Studies major with a minor in Native American Studies
• Gavin Vaughan, a Psychology major with a minor in Cognitive Science
• Laura Williams, a Biochemistry major with minors in Spanish and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program

2019-20 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Thirteen students served as Presidential Scholars during the 2019-20 academic year. The group was instrumental in providing quality advice to the Provost and in assisting with outreach to prospective students.

• James Connolly, a dual major in International Relations and Spanish
• Victoria Cooke, a History: Adolescence Education major with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies
• Katherine Cotten, a Biology major with a Chemistry minor
• Shannon Curley, a dual major in Geography and History with minors in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program and Environmental Studies
• Lindsey Dressler, a Biochemistry major with a Mathematics minor
• Elijah Freiman, a Geography major with minors in Urban Studies and Environmental Studies
• Sean McAneny, an English major
• Brianna Riggio, a dual major in French and English with minors in Linguistics and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Donald Rothwein, an English: Adolescence Education major 
• Xiane Smith, a Biochemistry major with a minor in Mathematics
• Emily Toy, a Biochemistry major
• Scott Williams, a dual major in Geography and Political Science with minors in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program and Environmental Studies
• John Wilson, a dual major in Physics and Mathematics with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program

2018-19 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Fourteen students served as Presidential Scholars during the 2018-19 academic year, during which the group developed a video for the Center for Integrative Learning that promotes integrative learning. 

• Patrick Buckley, a Biochemistry major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Gena Driscoll-Brantley, a dual major in Geography and Mathematics
• Sara Feinland, a Biochemistry major with minors in Psychology and the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Jennifer Galvao, an English Literature major with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Erin Kesel, a Biology major with a minor in Biomathematics
• Melanie Kirk, a dual major in Biology and Mathematics
• Lila Klatz, a Theatre major with a minor in Musical Theatre
• Ashley Law, a dual major in History and Political Science with a minor in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Trisha Maini, a Biology major
• Jack McKeown, a History major with a pre-med track
• Mallory Mrozinski, a dual major in Political Science and French
• Tayler Nguyen, a dual major in Early Childhood/Childhood Education and Music
• Isabel Owen, a dual major in English and History with a dual minor in Black Studies and Latin American Studies
• Colleen Steward, a Biochemistry major

2017-18 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

Fifteen students served as Presidential Scholars for the 2017-18 academic year:

• Julia Cameron, a Psychology major and Edgar Fellow with a minor in Human Development
• Nicole Delligatti, a dual Philosophy and History major
• Emily Ellmann, a Biology major with a minor in Dance
• Justen Geddes, a Mathematics major with a minor in Anthropology
• Thomas Hurysz, a Biochemistry major
• Benjamin Juchniewicz, a dual Philosophy and Accounting major and an Edgar Fellow
• Derek Kaczorowski, a dual History and Sociology major
• Rachel Knapp, a Biology major and an Edgar Fellow
• Jenna Lawson, a History major and an Edgar Fellow
• Brendan Mahoney, a dual major in English and Economics with a minor in Mathematics
• Harrison Moses, a dual Anthropology and Philosophy major
• Kyle Powers, a Chemistry major and an Edgar Fellow
• Shauna Ricketts, a dual Political Science and Sociology major with a minor in Urban Studies
• Blain Shinkle, an Anthropology major with a minor in Museum Studies
• Veronica Taglia, an English Literature and American Studies major with a minor in Psychology

 

2016-17 Academic Year Presidential Scholars

The following fifteen students served as Presidential Scholars during the 2016-17 academic year:

• Stephanie Allen, a double major in mathematics and economics, and member of the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Jacqueline Christensen, a French and art history double major and a Spanish and museum studies double minor
• Alexandra Dananberg, a biology major with a mathematics minor
• Joshua DeJoy, a history major, philosophy minor, and member of the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Francesca DiGiorgio, a psychology and vocal performance double major
• Kiaya Rose Dilsner-Lopez, an English major and member of the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Nicole Eras, a psychology and musical theater double major with a biology minor
• Kendall FitzGerald, a geological sciences major and member of the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Chloe Forsell, an English (creative writing) and French double major
• Darrell Getman, a political science and economics double major
• Jessica Heppler, a philosophy major and member of the Edgar Fellows Honors Program
• Mohammed Hossain, a psychology/philosophy double major
• Hannah Loo, a double major in biology and music (vocal performance) with a chemistry minor
• Ethan Turner, a physics major
• Jenna Zomback, a mathematics major and member of the Edgar Fellows Honors Program