2026 UPPF Alum Receive 54th Annual Chancellors Student Service and Leadership Awards
Introduction
Congratulations to our 2026 UPPF alum recipients of the 54th Annual Chancellors Student Service and Leadership Awards! 2026 UPPF fellows received awards spanning from The Jane Addams Distinguished Service Award, UIC Volunteer Service Award, and the Chancellor’s Student Service Award. Join us in congratulating these future leaders on their accomplishments!
Since 1973, the Chancellor’s Student Service and Leadership Awards (CSSLA) ceremony has recognized outstanding student leaders and student volunteers who, while maintaining high academic achievement, demonstrate a commitment to the UIC community through participation in student organizations and campus activities and throughout the greater Chicagoland area through active service and community engagement.
The Jane Addams Distinguished Service Award
Jane Addams dedicated her life to creating positive change in the world. She was a peace activist and advocate for underprivileged populations and co-founded Chicago’s first settlement home, Hull House, which is just outside the front door of Student Center East. Addams dedicated her life to service and inspired others to do the same. The Jane Addams Distinguished Service Award is presented to the students whose volunteers activity substantially addresses a distinct need in the community along with inspiring others to engage in volunteer service. Individual recipients must be involved in the creation of a new project or service to address such a need, and must demonstrate the highest level of dedication and selfless commitment to volunteer service.
Harshil Choudary, '25 Alum
UIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
The University of Illinois Chicago is committed to fostering a culture of service and civic engagement among its students. As part of this commitment, UIC proudly recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to volunteerism through the UIC Volunteer Service Award. UIC recognizes students who have achieved 100+ hours of service for the 2025 calendar year. UIC is honored to celebrate the dedication of our students who go above and beyond to make a difference. By recognizing these individuals, we aim to set a standard for service and reinforce the importance of civic engagement in building a stronger, more connected community
Harshil Choudhary, '25 Alum
Nevaeh Gullette, '25 Alum
CHANCELLOR’S STUDENT SERVICE AWARD
Since 1973, the Chancellor’s Student Service Award (CSSA) has honored students who have made an outstanding contribution to the University through campus and community service. Student recipients must contribute a significant amount of time, effort, and creativity to one or more campus and/or community service projects. Students must be enrolled during the academic year in which the award is received, be in good academic (at least a 2.5 GPA) and judicial standing, have volunteered in a campus and/or community service organization, and must have made a significant contribution to an organization. The service activities of our students vary greatly each year as they contribute to both the university and community. Some examples of their contributions are: • Volunteering in community hospitals and health clinics • Serving meals and educating children at homeless and women’s shelters • Tutoring at various educational and public service institutions • Planning and coordinating academic and service conferences • Organizing students to lobby on behalf of environmental concerns • Serving on search, advisory, scholarship, and ad-hoc University committees • Educating and mentoring students • Volunteering as crisis counselors • Fundraising for medical, political, and educational causes • Organizing and volunteering at cultural events • Providing guidance and resources to UIC students Leadership honor cords are provided to students as part of their award(s) to wear at Commencement ceremonies.
Margarita Arango, '24 Alum
Priscilla Obikili, '25 Alum
Dea Talelli, '25 Alum
Nick Tunks, '25 Alum
Devonte West, '25 Alum