Launched to recognize and celebrate student excellence, the award honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their academic pursuits, community leadership, and dedication to fostering inclusion and belonging. For Fall 2024, four exceptional students were named BCAS Students of the Month, setting a strong precedent for this initiative as it continues into the spring semester.

September: Anisha Lingden

Anisha is an exceptional student, leader, and advocate. As cofounder and president of the Refugee Outreach Collective, she supports immigrants and refugees, drawing from her own experiences to guide others. She also mentors students and assists with voter registration through Asian Services in Akron, promoting inclusion and diversity. A political science major with minors in international politics, pre-law, and security studies, Anisha excels academically. She interned with the U.S. State Department this summer and attended a national security conference at West Point in the fall.

October: Rose Vance-Grom

Rose is a standout graduate student in our Master of Art in Applied History and Public Humanities program. A proud Akronite, she excels academically and contributes to the community through projects like history-focused bike tours created during the Akron Community Internship Program, covering topics like the Ohio and Erie Canal and LGBTQ+ history. She’s worked to recover Akron’s lost jazz history, contributing to the Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival and a project on the Green Book. Rose is also a talented saxophonist, blending her love of music with history.

November: Oscar Laasko

A double major in history and political science, Oscar was recognized for his academic excellence and leadership. A straight-A student, he is known for his insightful contributions to class discussions and his positive influence on peers. As an officer in Phi Alpha Theta, he organized a trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art and demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity, fostering respect and understanding among classmates. Dr. Steve Harp, who has taught at UA for 31 years, nominated Oscar, describing him as one of the best students he has ever taught.

Oscar was the student speaker for BCAS at the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremony. 

December: Miranda Brainard

Miranda, a biology major with a minor in statistics, has been an exceptional undergraduate researcher in Dr. Richard Londraville’s lab since her freshman year. She has co-authored two published papers and contributed to three others, including presentations at the 2024 International Zebrafish Conference in Kyoto, Japan. Her research spans fieldwork in Tahiti and statistical analysis for graduate projects. This past summer, Miranda participated in the Summer Pediatric Research Scholars Program at Akron Children's Hospital. On campus, she serves as the health and wellness chair for Zips Activities Board.

Congratulations to our students!

Story by: Lisa Craig, BCAS Marketing, lmc91@uakron.edu