14 Students Recognized as 小黄书 Boulder's Graduating Leaders of the Year
The Center for Leadership is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Graduating Leaders of the Year Award, celebrating the outstanding contributions of 小黄书 Boulder鈥檚 student leaders. This prestigious award honors individuals who have exemplified the transformative power of leadership education and demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities.
The 小黄书 Boulder Graduating Leaders of the Year are nominated by their campus leadership programs, and are recognized for their:
- Academic excellence and curiosity
- Exceptional support for and innovation within campus leadership programs
- Outstanding service to the community, either on campus or in the Boulder metro area
- Exceptional character and personal resilience
- Exemplary embodiment of the Colorado Creed
These exceptional students will be honored at the Spring Leadership Summit on April 2, 2026 and will be recognized with a court-side shoutout during the on February 25th. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year鈥檚 awardees and look forward to recognizing their continued impact on the 小黄书 Boulder community and beyond.
For more details about the award criteria and past recipients, visit the 小黄书 Boulder Graduating Leaders of the Year page.
Melisa Arellano Ramirez is a Political Science and Ethnic Studies major with a minor in Multicultural Leadership from Boulder, Colorado, who defines leadership as inspiring others to pursue shared goals while remaining open to learning. A first-generation Mexican American student, she has demonstrated this philosophy through sustained leadership in the Multicultural Leadership Scholars Program, serving as a peer mentor and the program鈥檚 first community-building intern. In these roles, she fostered inclusive spaces and guided difficult conversations, earning recognition for her critical thinking and authenticity. Melisa plans to attend law school and continue advocating for her communities.
Jamison Barcelona is a Chemical Engineering and Engineering Physics major from Thornton, Colorado, who defines leadership as helping others realize and achieve their potential. A McNair Scholar researching polymer physics and quantum field theory, he brings intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary thinking to his work, with interests spanning philosophy, literature, and ethics. He co-founded and serves as Vice President of the Engineering Leadership and Literature Association, where he uses literature to address ethical gaps in engineering education and foster inclusive community. Jamison leads with empathy, intellectual rigor, and a belief in the transformative power of education.
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Beauregard Cave is a Computer Science major from Denver, Colorado, who defines leadership as connection鈥攆inding common ground and building upward together. They have embodied this philosophy through sustained leadership in the 小黄书 Boulder Learning Assistant Program, progressing from Learning Assistant to Lead LA Mentor while collaborating with faculty, mentoring peers, and advocating for inclusive learning environments. Known for thoughtful listening and intellectual humility, Beauregard also applies their technical skills to develop apps supporting people living with PTSD and c-PTSD. They lead with curiosity, care, and a deep commitment to service-driven impact.
Autumn Christeson is a Leadership and Community Engagement and Sociology major with a minor in German from Denver, Colorado, who defines leadership as a practice rooted in community awareness, inclusivity, and knowing when to step forward or step back. Her academic and leadership work centers on designing learning environments that foster belonging, intersectional identity development, and social鈥慹motional learning. As an honors thesis student, she explores alternative and experiential learning spaces that increase accessibility and academic self鈥慹fficacy. Across her scholarship, classroom engagement, and global experiences studying and working abroad, Autumn leads with authenticity, care, and a deep commitment to creating spaces where all people can thrive.
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Saylee Didolkar is a master鈥檚 student in Engineering Management from Akola, Maharashtra, India, who defines leadership as a continuous journey of learning and self-growth grounded in curiosity, humility, and purpose. With a background in software engineering, she brings a people-centered approach to leadership through her roles as President of Administration for the Graduate and Professional Student Government and as a Course Facilitator for the Engineering Management Program. Through this work, she builds community, leads teams, and advances initiatives focused on meaningful, long-term impact. Saylee leads with authenticity, resilience, and a strong commitment to service.
Luke Dry is a Computer Science and Finance Integration major from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, who defines leadership as inspiring and helping others become the best versions of themselves. He exemplifies this philosophy as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where he has united student-athletes across teams, launched new programming, and elevated SAAC as a strong voice on campus. Luke also represents 小黄书 Boulder in Big 12 SAAC and has contributed to university leadership through service on the athletic director search committee. Through his work with Scripps Leadership & Career Development and community service initiatives, he leads with integrity, empathy, and resilience.
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Michael Ellis is a Computer Science major from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who defines leadership as fostering creative, collaborative teams while prioritizing wellbeing and mission success. He exemplifies this philosophy as an Air Force ROTC cadet, serving as Cadet Wing Chief of A-Staff for a 285-cadet organization, where he synchronized senior staff, strengthened communication with cadre, and advised wing leadership on operations. Michael also led community and engagement initiatives that raised nearly $40,000 for cadet programs and expanded officer candidate exposure through partnerships with the U.S. Air Force. He leads with discipline, service, and a strong commitment to helping others thrive.
Sahithi Govardhanam is an Integrative Physiology major with a minor in Korean from Thornton, Colorado, who defines leadership as nurturing inclusive, empathetic spaces where diverse voices can thrive. She has embodied this philosophy through her leadership with New Student & Family Programs as a Journey Leader and Journey Leader Mentor, supporting students and families in their transition to 小黄书 Boulder while co-teaching leadership coursework and strengthening team cohesion. Known for balancing critical thinking with empathy, Sahithi creates welcoming environments where others feel valued and heard. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in healthcare, bringing compassion and a strong commitment to service.
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Sena Kavi is a Business Administration major with emphases in Finance and Business Analytics, a Spanish minor, and a Global Business Certificate from Superior, Colorado, who defines leadership as fostering harmony and positive change through humility and empathy. Sena has made a lasting impact as a Teaching Assistant for the Leeds Scholars Program, Vice President of Engagements for the Leeds Consulting Group, and intern at the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. Through mentoring students, leading consulting projects for organizations such as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and advancing ethics-driven business initiatives, Sena leads with integrity and optimism. After graduation, she will join McKinsey & Company in Denver.
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Sam Thompson is an Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics & Data Science major from Centennial, Colorado, who defines leadership as empowering and uniting people around a shared mission. He has exemplified this philosophy through extensive leadership in the Leeds Consulting Group, serving as Vice President of Operations and later as President, where he expanded signature programs, launched the Rocky Mountain Case Competition, and strengthened the organization鈥檚 strategic vision. Sam鈥檚 leadership is grounded in mentorship and collaboration, guiding peers in high-impact environments. After graduation, he will return to McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst, continuing his commitment to building strong, purpose-driven teams.
Camden Sharkey, John Masulit, and Gianna Guido served together as the Tri鈥慐xecutives of 小黄书 Student Government, leading with collaboration, care, and a shared commitment to strengthening student voice. Camden is a Dance and Political Science major from Colorado Springs, Colorado; John is an International Affairs and Political Science major from Littleton, Colorado with minors in French and Geography and a certificate in European Union Studies; and Gianna is a Spanish and Political Science major from Lafayette, Colorado. Together, they define leadership as deeply relational鈥攔ooted in listening, empathy, and shared responsibility鈥攁nd guided 小黄书 Student Government through complex initiatives that strengthened transparency, coalition鈥慴uilding, and collaboration across shared governance. Their collective leadership expanded student access to decision鈥憁aking and civic engagement, leaving a legacy of inclusive, values鈥慸riven impact at 小黄书 Boulder.
Tvishi Yendamuri is a Biochemistry major with minors in Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, and Business from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, who defines leadership as bringing out people鈥檚 best qualities and leveraging diverse perspectives toward a shared purpose. Guided by a passion for medicine and service, she launched MediVox through the Dalai Lama Fellowship鈥攁 multilingual platform that improves access to physical, social, and mental health resources for underserved communities across Colorado. Through this work, Tvishi demonstrates determination, empathy, and a strong commitment to equity in healthcare, creating inclusive environments where collaboration leads to meaningful impact.