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Congratulations 2026 leadership award recipients

Each year Dalton State’s Dean of Students office hosts its annual Student Leadership and Awards Banquet to recognize and honor Dalton State’s most distinguished student leaders, student groups, and the faculty and staff who contribute to the quality of student life on Dalton State’s campus. The event is sponsored by the Dalton State Foundation. This year’s alumni presenters were Autumn Hooton, Colton Taylor, Diego Espinoza, Mariela Vazquez Rojo and Cody Oglesby.

Award DescriptionsEvent Photos

Emerging Leader Cohort Participants

  • Brett Stover 
  • Steven Waters
  • Veronica Nunez
  • Noely Hurtado
  • RaAna Mares
  • Isaac Jones

Emerging Leaders

  • Brett Stover
  • Katherine Chamul 
  • Trinity Duisen
  • Mecca Spears
  • Will Hiestand

Truett Lomax Unsung Hero 

  • Cheryl Nuckolls
  • Maryam Arafat
  • Max Stone

Melvyn Ottinger Roadrunner Pride

  • Kylie Gray 

Advisor Hall of Fame 

  • Dr. Brooklyn Herrera

Program of Distinction 

  • Madison Mitchell 
  • Ken White Health Center

Advisor of the Year

  • Alex Sanchez

Volunteer of the Year 

  • Faith Palmarin 

Jason Ramos Servant Leadership

  • Meagan Cordova

Outstanding Student Leader

  • Alesandria Nunez
  • Arianna Johnson 
  • Kelly Cruz-Fierro 
  • Keegan Johns
  • Kione Houlstead 
  • Madison Mitchell 

Spence Higgins Hall of Fame 

  • Jordan Moore
  • Mary Jones
  • Isaiah Georges
  • Memphis Duisen 

Student Engagement & Belonging 

  • Psychology Club
  • Impact of Culture in Teaching and Learning Committee for their work in creating Roadrunner Stories

Student Organization of the Year 

  • Baptist Collegiate Ministries 
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