Campus Compact is pleased to announce that Rishika Kartik (Brown University), Roberto Garcia (Michigan State University), Hilary Ramirez Payamps (Miami Dade College), Mykala Bledsoe (The George Washington University) have been awarded Campus Compact's new Student Leadership Award. The award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate inspiring leadership qualities through civic and community engagement.
Students who receive the award lead change on their campuses and in their communities and inspire their peers to do the same. Recipients of the Student Leadership Awards are selected on the basis of their leadership and community impact, their ability to overcome adversity, their commitment to learning and deep engagement with communities, and their support from campus and community partners.
Rishika Kartik, undergraduate student in accessible design and biology at Brown University
"Rishika is not only the most accomplished undergraduate I've had the privilege to work with; she is also among the most visionary. In over 15 years of teaching, she is the single best communicator of disability-centered research and values I have ever met," said Sydney Skybetter, Director of the Brown Arts Institute at Brown University, in a letter supporting Kartik’s nomination for the award. "Rishika is exactly the kind of candidate the Student Leadership Award was built to recognize. She is a brilliant scholar, a remarkable leader, and one of the most effective young advocates for access I have ever encountered." Read more about Rishika →
Roberto Garcia, undergraduate student in English and sociology at Michigan State University
"Roberto has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service, consistently translating his values into meaningful action that benefits both campus and community," said Renee Miller Zientek, executive director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning at Michigan State University, in a letter supporting Garcia’s nomination for the award. "He exemplifies the ideals of public service and possesses the determination, intellect, and compassion to create meaningful, lasting change." Read more about Roberto →
Hilary Ramirez Payamps, international affairs student at Miami Dade College
"I have had the opportunity to work closely with Hilary throughout the past year in her role as President of the Beta Kappa Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. During this time, I have come to deeply admire her leadership, dedication, and the authenticity she brings to everything she does," said Dr. Oscar Loynaz, Campus President, Miami Dade College, Padrón Campus, in a letter supporting Ramirez Payamps’ nomination for the award. "Hilary is someone with a bright future, and I know that wherever she lands, she will continue to leave her mark through her leadership, integrity, and vision." Read more about Hilary →
Mykala Bledsoe, master’s student in sociology at The George Washington University
"While Mykala’s individual achievements are impressive, it is important to emphasize what I see as the hallmark of a true leader—her ability to make a lasting impact on communities and inspire those she leads to do the same in ways that generate far more (and far more powerful) collective change," said Lindsay A. Chudzik, program manager, Co-Curricular Service and director of Civic House at The George Washington University, in a letter supporting Bledsoe’s nomination for the award. "Mykala is a remarkable changemaker, leader, and person who is deserving of recognition for the work she puts in every single day, work that often goes unrecognized." Read more about Mykala →
The Student Leadership Award is presented as part of Campus Compact's Impact Awards, which recognize shining examples of meaningful, impactful higher education civic and community engagement work. Read more about the other awards and this year's recipients here.
The recipients of these awards will be recognized at Compact26, Campus Compact’s annual conference, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois, from March 16th-18th, 2026.