The Chung/Thorpe Leadership Award 2022

Presented to students who have increased the profile of the community of color through continued participation in leadership roles throughout their Ithaca College experience.

Our Namesakes: Mary Chung-Hayashi and Jim Thorpe

Mary Chung-Hayashi (born Chung Mi Kyun) has been named one of the top feminist leaders for the 21st Century. At 26 she created the National Asian Women’s Health Organization, the first national organization devoted to Asian and Pacific Islander women in the U.S.. Mrs. Chung-Hayashi also is a former assemblywoman for the California State Legislature. 

Jim Thorpe (whose Sac and Fox name was Wa-Tho-Huk) is considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports.  He won Olympic Gold Medals in the newly formed decathlon and pentathlon events at the 1912 Stockholm summer games.  Additionally, he was the 1st National Football League president.

I have always naturally been a more introverted and reserved person, however, all of the opportunities that I gravitated towards have required me to continuously challenge that aspect of my personality.

Letícia Guibunda, Class of 2022

Our 2022 Award Recipients

The 2022 Chung-Thorpe Leadership Award recipients along with their majors, minors, and a small highlight of their involvement on campus.  Congratulations to all our awardees!

Avery Alexander

Avery is smiling at the camera. They are wearing a white sweater, dangling puff earrings, and glasses. The photo is tinged pink.

Major: English | Minor: Journalism, Linguistics

Assistant Life & Culture Editor at The Ithacan | Life & Culture Editor at The Ithacan | Year In Review Editor at The Ithacan | Staff Writer for The Ithacan | Columnist and co-creator of The Ithacan's Popped Culture Column | Member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. 

Simeon Alvarez

Simeon is standing in the snow in a dark blue North Face jacket with the hood pulled up. He is smiling at the camera and wearing glasses.

Major: Health Sciences w/ Clinical Emphasis | Minor: Spanish 

Resident Assistant | Office Assistant IC Library Services | Co-President, IC Intercambios | Teachers Assistant Organic BioChemistry | Cohort Representative | IC Physical Therapy Student Association | Director of Programming & Planning Events IC African Student Association | IC Physical Therapy Students of Color. 

Kinza Ceesay

Kinza is standing outside in front of a tree looking at the camera with her body turned to the side. She is wearing a black turtleneck and her braided hair is parted to the side.

Major: Finance, & International Business 

Resident Assistant | Ithaca Achievement Program | Student Employment | IC Gaps & Bridges Co-President and Co-Founder | Ithaca MSA President and Co-Founder | SGC Business School Senator | ICIC PR Chair/Assistant. 

Ana Garbanzo

Ana is smiling at the camera in front of a purple background. She is wearing a dark colored top and her hair is parted down the middle.

Major: Sociology 

 Sister 2 Sister | Leadership Institute | Ithaca Achievement Program | PODER LatinX Club | Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society | Caribbean Student Association | Ithaca Achievement Program | Students of Color Coalition.

Letícia Guibunda

Letícia is in front of a wooden wall smiling at the camera. She is wearing a purple blouse and her braided hair has gold hair jewelry in it.

Major: Spanish | Minor: Biological Research & Applied Sciences 

Student Leadership Consultant at the Office of Student Engagement | Social Action Leadership Retreat | SLI workshops | Leadership Weekend | Student Organization Specialist VP of Campus Affairs for the Student Governance Council (SGC) | Presidential Search Committee | African Students Association (IC ASA) | Ithaca Achievement Program | Treasurer for the International Club | Student Researcher at the Lo Lab (Genetics & Developmental Biology Research | WhalenSummer Scholars Researcher | Volunteer for the Person/Patient-Centered Advocacy Team at Cayuga Medical Hospital | Volunteered at the in-patient unit of Cayuga Medical | Director of Marketing & Public Relations for the African Students Association (ICASA) | IC Student Governance Council (SGC) | Emerging Academic and Professional Leaders Program. 

Thais Gutierrez

Thais is smiling at the camera in a classroom. She is wearing a green hoodie and her braids are in a high bun.

Major: Sociology | Minor: Education 

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) | Alpha Kappa Delta- International Honor Society of Sociology | Academic Honors Recipient | POC Academic Achievement Award | Team Manager, Treasurer, Secretary of Island Fusion | Member of Pulse Hip Hop | Host of IC International Club and Sister to Sister Showcase | Member of Sports Council Committee. 

Being a leader has always come naturally to me. I am the oldest of three siblings, and I strive to set a positive example for my younger brothers.

Thais Gutierrez, Class of 2022

Emma Kuo

Emma is smiling at the camera wearing a green jacket and a black shirt. Her red hair is combed to one side.

Major: Cinema and Photography | Minor: Art, Animation 

Executive Director, Training Coordinator, and Communication Coordinator of the Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol (SASP) | Camera 1 for ICTV Show: Sketch Me If You Can | Animator for ICTV Show: Animators | Trained Facilitator for the Bringing In the Bystander Program. 

Nicole-Bethany Onwuka

Nicole-Bethany is looking at the camera in front of a blue background. She is wearing a pink sweater and her hair is pulled up into a pony tail.

Major: Acting | Minor: Writing for TV, Film and Emerging Media 

Ujima Black Student Union | Founder & President ‘Ujima: Black Student Union’ | Christian Community Church Ithaca| Community Unity Music Education Program | Ithaca, NY Lead Camp Counselor and Educator | Residential Life Staff | Ithaca College Resident Assistant | The Handwerker Art Gallery | Ithaca College Gallery Monitor | Southside Community Center Regular Volunteer and Theatre Arts Teacher | Community Council HHH Board member. 

Megan O'Reilly

Megan is standing in front of the Ic Fountains with a blue sky behind her. She is smiling at the camera and wearing a white polo shirt.

Major: Athletic Training

NATA Abstract Research Presentation | Vice President, Ithaca Student Athletic Training (IATSA) |  Student Advisory Council Member, Health Science & Human Performance (HSHP) | National Athletic Trainers’ Association | NATA and EATA Member |  Easterna Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting & Symposium | Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Representing IC Women’s Varsity Soccer Team | Volunteer AT services for NCAA Regional Wrestling Tournament | Ithaca College Leadership Academy | Ithaca Athletic Training Student Association | Cabinet Member, EquAT and InclusivAT Program, Ithaca College | Ithaca Women’s NCAA Division III Soccer. 

Leadership is everything in life. It is so powerful and motivating to have others around you push you to be your best. It has shaped who I am and who I want to be. 

Megan O'Reilly, Class of 2022

Akiysa Sanders

Akiysa

Major: Integrated Marketing Communications | Minor:  History & Legal Studies 

Pulse Hip-Hop | EPIC Treasurer | Student Employment at the Registrar's Office 

Ikraan Sheekh Nuur

Ikraan is standing in front of a stone building. She is wearing brown pants and a multicolored blouse.

Major: Physical Therapy | Minor: Biology

Ithaca College Physical Therapy Student of Color E-board member | IC Me program | Ithaca College Ambassadors program | African Student Association | C-STEM | First Generation | Ithaca Achievement Program | International club | Physical Therapy mentors | Ithaca College Physical Therapy Pelvic Floor club | Ithaca College Chemistry Teacher Assistant | Ithaca College Physical Therapy Teacher Assistant | Wonderful Wheelchairs | Combined Sections Meeting | Campus Center Operations Staff | Civic Engagement Committee. 

Brianna Tovar

Brianna is smiling at the camera in front of a grey background. She is wearing a white and pink blouse, gold jewelry, and has her hair parted down the middle.

Major: Integrated Marketing Communications | Minor: Graphic Design 

IT Support/Service Desk Consultant | HiFashion Studios Co-Executive For Wardrobe Team | Ithaca Achievement Program | Social Media Editor at Buzzsaw Magazine | Co-Design Editor at the Ithacan. 

Vaibhav Zaveri

Vaibhav is smiling in front of a waterfall. He is wearing glasses and a blue polo shirt.

Major: Computer Science

Asian American Club | Active Minds | CS Club | Zooniverse Volunteer | Ithaca Achievement Program | Betabound Student ambassador | Student Leadership Institute.