The Central College Student Development office has announced the 2026 student leadership award recipients.
Each year, Student Development seeks nominations campus-wide to recognize the contributions, achievements, and efforts of Central students, student groups, and club advisors. A panel representing Academic Affairs and Student Development reviewed the nominations and selected the following award recipients for 2026.
- Bridge Builder Award: Lakera (Keke) Hannah, Class of 2027, from Maquoketa, Iowa
- Diversity & Inclusion Award: Book Club
- Organizational Excellence Award: History Club
- Outstanding Event Awards: History Club’s program with Jimmy Suong, a Cambodian refugee, survivor of the “Killing Fields” and U.S. Army veteran; and Common Ground’s Drag Show
- Outstanding New Leader Awards: Sofie Geistkemper, Class of 2028, from Marion, Iowa, and Donovan Klish, Class of 2028, from Liberty, Missouri
- Senior Student Development Awards: Kylie Carstens, Class of 2026, from Lake City, Iowa, and Chris Ver Heul, Class of 2026, from Monroe, Iowa
- Service Award: SCATE – Students Concerned about the Environment
- Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award: Lori Witt, associate professor of history and history club advisor
- Unsung Hero Awards: Vittorio (Vito) Luchi, Class of 2027, from Avondale, Arizona, and Brianna Wright, Class of 2026, from Fort Madison, Iowa
