The Rising Star Award is presented to a woman in Delaware higher education whose potential for future achievement is evident and recognized. The nominee must also demonstrate a commitment to higher education through noteworthy contributions in the field and/or to community service.

2024 Rising Star Recipients

  • Amanda Lemmon, Director of Communication and Planning, Delaware Technical Community College
  • Zoë Lockwood, Accounting Generalist, Goldey-Beacom College
  • Jasmine A. Passwaters, Senior Administrative Assistant, Delaware State University
  • Alaina V. Robinson, Policy Specialist, University of Delaware
  • Courtney M. Rossi, Employee Relations and Training Specialist, Wilmington University

Past recipients of the Rising Star Award

  • 2023
    • Tamekca Faria-Frisby, Delaware State University
    • Christine Wilborne, Delaware Technical Community College
    • Sarah ElShawarby, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Kate Habegger, University of Delaware
    • Dr. Katie Leach, Wilmington University
  • 2022
    • Norkia “Kia” Baker, M.Ed., Administrative Intern for Student Affairs, Delaware Technical Community College, Wilmington Campus
    • Hannah Bakey, MBA, International Student Coordinator | Title IX Coordinator, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Gabrielle “Gigi” Gaul, MBA, Coordinator of Professional and Continuing Education, Wilmington University
    • Sarah Marshall, MPA, Communications Specialist & Assistant Policy Scientist, University of Delaware
    • Lynae Spratley, M.S., Academic Advisor in the College of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Delaware State University
  • 2021
    • Jill Austin, Department Chair, Early Childhood Studies, Delaware Technical Community College
    • Danielle Craig, Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, Experiential Learning and Honors
    • Dr. Keeley Powell, Senior Assistant Dean for Student Services, University of Delaware
    • Maureen Tomey, Alumni and Event Specialist, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Ashlee Youmans, Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Wilmington University
  • 2020
    • Jennifer Daniels, Associate Director in the Office of Equity and Inclusion, University of Delaware
    • Brittany Hobbs, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Natalie Ridgeway, Assistant Director of Creative Services, Wilmington University
    • Jarso Jallah-Saygbe, Associate Vice President of Student Success, Delaware State University
    • Erin Schutt, Student Life Program Manager, Delaware Technical & Community College
  • 2019
    • Amanda Birch, Enrollment Management Assistant, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Jaimee Campbell, Human Resources Coordinator, Wilmington University
    • Amber Gordon, Coordinator of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Delaware State University
    • Amber King, Academic Counselor and Student Affairs Instructional Coordinator, Delaware Technical Community College-Owens Campus
    • Latoya Watson, Assistant Dean, Associate in Arts Program, University of Delaware
  • 2018
    • Rachel Cimino, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Widener University Delaware Law School
    • Elizabeth Fennemore, Senior Advisor, Financial Aid, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Laura Godwin, Director of Admission Services, Wilmington University
    • Dawn Hopkins, Director of Annual Giving in Division of Institutional Advancement, Delaware State University
    • Kate Matthews, Academic Counselor, Delaware Technical Community College
    • Nicole Young, Academic Advisor, University of Delaware
  • 2017
    • Mary Allen, Director of Communication, Widener University
    • Sara Diehm, International Recruitment Coordinator, Goldey-Beacom College
    • Dr. Sherri Niblett, Academic Counselor and CARE Team Coordinator, Delaware Technical Community College (Owens Campus)
    • Felicia Quinn, Director of the University Information Center, Wilmington University
    • Lieutenant Joi Simmons, Delaware State University
  • 2016
    • Kim Plusch, Career Counselor,  College of Business, College of Health Professions, and College of Education at Wilmington University
    • Pia Stokes, Associate Director of Admissions, Delaware State University
    • Jennifer Tomasetti, Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, University of Delaware
  • 2015
    • Dana Eggleston, Director of Institutional Research, Wilmington University
  • 2014
    • Alice Miller, Coordinator of Student Activities, Wilmington University
    • Casey Impagliazzo, Communications Specialist, University Student Centers, University of Delaware
  • 2013
    • Jennifer Blackwell, Academic Counselor, Delaware Technical Community College
  • 2012
    • Cara Stanard, Academic Counselor, Delaware Technical Community College
  • 2011
    • Sharon Lynn Mossman, Instructor for the Dental Hygiene Department, Delaware Technical Community College
  • 2010
    • Erin Zoranski, International Education Coordinator and Instructor, Delaware Technical Community College
  • 2009
    • Simone Marie George, Assistant to the President, Wilmington University
  • 2008
    • Lalena Luna, Program Coordinator for Hispanics Culture and Student Campus Programs, University of Delaware
    • Tina Scott, Director of Student Affairs, Wilmington University
  • 2007
    • Germaine Scott-Cheatham, Executive Director of Admissions, Delaware State Univerisity