Getting involved in student organizations offers valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Leadership roles in these organizations help students and alumni to develop skills such as collaboration, communication, and time management.
Student organization membership is not only about titles but also actively contributing to the University community, inspiring change and encouraging participation.
There are several outstanding students, alumni, faculty, and student organizations who have made significant contributions to the University community through their involvement and leadership. Their achievements were recently celebrated during our Commencement 2025 weekend earlier this month.
Outstanding Campus Leader Award: Helen Fernholz-Harris
Helen Fernholz is a dedicated professional whose commitment to service, leadership, and academic excellence has made a significant impact on both her academic and professional communities. She earned a consistent place on the President’s List for her outstanding academic performance and graduated summa cum laude with an associate degree in health sciences from American Public University (APU).
Helen’s passion for fostering connections and inspiring others extends beyond the classroom. She served as the Guest Coordinator for the Reading and Educating at a Distance Book Club (the R.E.A.D. Book Club), where she played a key role in organizing events for the University community and encouraging a love for reading. Her leadership and dedication to the club’s mission have been instrumental in creating meaningful connections and enriching the university experience for others.
Helen says that her guiding principles are “resilience and perseverance – the belief that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to success.”
Now working as a surgical nurse in Germany, Helen continues to demonstrate her expertise and unwavering commitment to improving patient care. She has faced many challenges along the way, balancing academic demands, leadership responsibilities and the fast-paced nature of healthcare. However, her resilience and dedication to public health have enabled her to overcome setbacks and excel in all areas of her life.
Helen’s academic excellence, leadership experience and current professional work make her a deserving recipient for this prestigious award. She exemplifies perseverance, passion, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference and inspiring the people around her.
Outstanding Campus Leader Award: Nicholas Rinell
Nicholas is a dedicated educator, mentor and project management professional, deeply committed to shaping the next generation of military leaders. He is currently the Air Traffic Control Maintenance Chief at Marine Air Control Squadron 1, located at Camp Pendleton, California, and an adjunct faculty member at Marine Corps University.
In these roles, he guides noncommissioned officers and helps them to learn essential lessons in leadership, communication, and strategic thinking. Through his work in the Sergeant School Seminar Program, he also equips military personnel with the skills they need to thrive both in their military careers and in the future.
Nicholas earned a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity management and policy from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2020. More recently, Nicholas earned an MBA from the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business at American Military University (AMU) with a concentration in information technology management. Nicholas also serves as the President of the University chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA).
Nicholas’s career path has not been without challenges, especially because he pursued his degrees while on active duty. From writing papers in a tent during training exercises to balancing academic deadlines and moving across the globe, Nicholas has consistently demonstrated adaptability, resilience, and time management. These experiences have reinforced his belief in perseverance, integrity, and leading by example – principles that he imparts to the students he mentors.
His expertise extends to Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Military Scrum and workforce planning. His proficiency in these areas has contributed to his success in optimizing processes and driving organizational outcomes.
Nicholas is a dedicated family man who values the importance of balancing work and life. In his free time, he enjoys training in his garage gym, traveling the world with his family and golfing. His commitment to lifelong learning and personal development continues to inspire the people he mentors, bridging theory and practice in meaningful ways for both military and corporate settings.
With his unwavering commitment to education and leadership development, Nicholas continues to inspire both his peers and students, making significant contributions to the future of military leadership. His journey serves as a reminder that success is not just about overcoming challenges but using them as stepping stones for growth and achievement.
Outstanding Campus Leader Award: Victor Cruzosuna
Victor Cruzosuna is an active-duty military spouse who has made significant contributions to the University community while pursuing academic and professional goals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix. As Vice President of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, he fosters discussions on law and advocacy, furthering his commitment to professional development and leadership.
His academic journey at AMU equipped him with critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills that have prepared him to handle the challenges of the professional world. Through setting clear goals, maintaining supportive relationships and using a balanced approach, Victor stayed motivated throughout his studies, a mindset that continues to drive him today.
In his current role as a human resources manager with IHG Hotels and Resorts, Victor manages employee relations, enhances workplace culture, and implements effective HR strategies. He is also dedicated to supporting local initiatives that benefit military families and promote community engagement. His proactive approach and commitment to excellence have earned him respect among his peers.
Victor credits his husband, Ramiro, for his unwavering support during challenging moments in both his personal and professional life. This encouragement helped him stay focused and determined, overcoming setbacks step by step.
Victor advises future students to stay curious, manage their time, embrace failure as a learning opportunity and prioritize self-care.
Chapter Advisor of the Year Award: Loren Rovere
In 2022, Loren Rovere took on the challenging role of the chapter advisor for SVA. At the time, SVA was inactive and faced the difficult task of revitalizing itself.
Over the past two years, Loren has transformed SVA into a thriving organization. SVA has achieved Gold status at the University and is advocating for online and in-person military students within the broader SVA network.
Loren and the SVA leadership team have made impressive strides. They have attended the SVA National Conference twice and participated in regional summits. At these conferences, they’ve actively represented their chapter and strengthened their presence within SVA.
They’ve also hosted in-person social events in California, Texas and Florida. In 2025, SVA plan to expand to more locations in 2025 to encourage engagement and build a stronger sense of community among student veterans.
To further solidify SVA’s identity, Loren’s team designed a unique chapter logo. They have also created branded merchandise, including T-shirts, poker chips, koozies, and backpacks, and they plan to provide even more branded items in the future.
Their progress is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of Loren and the SVA officers, as well as fellow chapter advisor Chuck Alsleben. Together, they’ve worked tirelessly to breathe new life into SVA, laying a strong foundation for its continued success and exciting future.
Student Organization Chapter of the Year Award: SVA
SVA truly set a high standard for leadership, engagement, service and commemoration throughout 2024. Under the leadership of President Nicholas Rinell and Vice President Tommy Hendler, SVA made significant strides in enhancing the student experience for military-affiliated students, celebrating member achievements, and giving back to the broader veteran community.
One of the chapter’s most impactful initiatives was the establishment of a legacy project. For this project, SVA partnered with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and the University’s chapter of the Saber and Scroll Historical Society.
The project involved conducting video interviews with veterans from across the country and preserving their stories for future generations. Not only does this initiative honor the service of veterans, but it also promotes a deeper connection between chapter members and the veteran community, reinforcing SVA’s commitment to service and remembrance.
In addition, SVA worked tirelessly to engage and recognize its members. Over 600 certificates were distributed to students who made the Dean’s List or President’s List or who earned their degrees. Custom T-shirts, challenge coins and poker chips were also given out to members.
SVA encouraged open communication through newsletters, social media sites and virtual meetings. Their collaborative and proactive approach has solidified SVA’s role as an essential part of the University community.
Outstanding New Student Organization of the Year Award: Kindness Club
School of Arts, Humanities, and Education faculty members Dr. Kelly Jernigan and Dr. Kimberly Rush created the Kindness Club in July 2024. This student organization was created with the goal of fostering connection and compassion in the University community.
As history instructors, Dr. Jernigan and Dr. Rush recognized the challenges of building meaningful relationships in a virtual environment, where face-to-face interactions are limited. The Kindness Club’s mission is to “cultivate a sense of connection and belonging, encourage compassion, and improve the emotional well-being of our members, the university, and local communities through acts of kindness.”
Since its inception, the Kindness Club has hosted hosting monthly initiatives. One of the club’s first major initiatives was in November 2024 for World Kindness Week. To celebrate, the club organized a kindness-themed bingo game.
Members filled spaces on bingo cards by completing various acts of kindness throughout the week, which included smiling at a stranger, practicing self-care, donating blood or volunteering. This simple yet powerful game led to 52 reported acts of kindness in just one week, with two members winning prizes for completing a full bingo board.
In addition, the Kindness Club has actively contributed to important causes. During the Random Act of Kindness Week in November, members carried out spontaneous acts of kindness.
In December, the club sponsored a food drive to support local communities. Most recently, the Kindness Club donated items to Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages to military members serving overseas.
The Kindness Club has become a vibrant and impactful part of the University community. It continues to demonstrate how small acts of compassion can create a lasting, positive impact among students, faculty and staff.
Outstanding Legacy Project: R.E.A.D. Book Club’s Random Acts of Reading
The Reading and Educating at a Distance Book Club’s (the R.E.A.D. Book Club’s) Random Acts of Reading legacy project promotes literacy by increasing people’s access to books in communities. Since 2018, the R.E.A.D. Book Club has encouraged its members to leave books in public places or Little Free Libraries as a way to honor the National Day of Service and Remembrance each September. This initiative directly impacts local communities by sharing literature and fostering a culture of reading.
Additionally, club members vote annually on the funding for projects to support reading and literacy in underfunded elementary schools. They also vote on books to support through the Smithsonian Adopt-a-Book program. In this program, each book receives a bookplate and a virtual catalog listing, increasing visibility for both the University community and the project.
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