UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus students are redefining what it means to be engaged in college as online learners. This spring, World Campus recognized the students for the communities they've built, the peers they've supported, and the leadership they've shown.
Penn State World Campus Student Affairs honored the recipients of its 2026 student leadership awards at the Student Leadership Celebration and Recognition on April 19. The event was streamed online for those who could not attend in person, and a recording is available on YouTube.
Kaitlyn Casagrande was the World Campus recipient of the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an undergraduate student at each Penn State campus. In addition to the Walker Award, World Campus Student Affairs honored students for outstanding leadership at the undergraduate and graduate levels, community impact, inclusive excellence, emerging leadership, and student affairs service.
“Our students don’t just participate in online spaces — they transform them into real communities,” said Marly Doty, director of Student Affairs for World Campus. “We are truly fortunate to work with such exemplary students.”
Here are the individual student awards:
Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award
The annual Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award recognizes an undergraduate student from each Penn State campus for possessing outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. This is the third year Penn State World Campus has recognized a student with this award.
The recipient, Casagrande, is a dual major in criminal justice and psychology graduating in May 2026. Throughout her time at World Campus, Casagrande has served in leadership roles across multiple student organizations, student government, and the First-Generation Student Affinity Group, while also working as a peer guide and Student Affairs coordinator intern. In the intern role, she created focus groups to help the office expand its accessibility and resources, and as a peer guide, she provided individualized support to more than 300 first-year students.
Nominators described Casagrande as a leader who “did not simply execute tasks — she sought to create systems and structure that will outlast her tenure at World Campus.” During her first year on the Homecoming Committee, she independently developed timelines, documented workflows, and clarified role responsibilities to ease transitions for future leaders. One nominator offered a pointed assessment: “In my 11-year career at World Campus, I have never met a more dedicated or engaged student servant leader.”
As Casagrande prepares to graduate, she leaves behind strengthened peer mentorship programs, broadened engagement opportunities, and a deeper sense of community within affinity spaces for first-generation students.
Outstanding Student Leadership Awards
The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership Award was presented to Tanja Jefferson, who is pursuing her degree while living in Australia. Jefferson is the founder of the Video Game Club and the inaugural Disability Advocacy and Affairs Committee Chair for Student Government. Nominators praised her as a “walking example of inclusivity and accessibility” who consistently steps into gaps, builds new organizations from scratch, and creates spaces where students across World Campus feel welcomed and seen.
The Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award was presented to Dane Sorensen, who has been engaged as both an undergraduate and graduate student across clubs, organizations, and Student Government. As president of the Military Service Organization, Sorensen led a leadership transition and expanded the organization’s reach across the World Campus community. He also organized a Suicide Prevention Panel that brought expert voices to both the military student community and the broader University. A nominator described him as embodying “integrity, resilience, compassion, and a genuine commitment to service.”
Heart of the Lion Community Impact Award
This year, the Heart of the Lion Community Impact Award was presented to two recipients whose sustained service reflects the Penn State values of compassion, dedication, and courage.
Leah Daubs is a nontraditional student who redirected her academic path toward work centered on dignity and meaningful change. Through her studies in psychology and her service as an AmeriCorps VISTA, she works to improve the quality and dignity of meals served across shelter sites in Philadelphia’s homeless services system, collaborating with community partners to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness are treated with respect and that their voices are heard.
Katie Chookagian is a founding member of the Student Programming Board who has served in multiple leadership roles across World Campus, including as merchandising chair for the Homecoming Committee. She has completed more than 1,700 hours of AmeriCorps service, demonstrating a sustained commitment to community impact that extends well beyond her time at Penn State.
Additional student awards
Anthony Farless received the Inclusive Excellence Award for his work as both a peer guide for military-affiliated students and vice president of the Military Service Organization. Nominators praised his ability to transform ideas into inclusive initiatives and ensure no student feels isolated or overlooked.
Elizabeth Mulvey received the Emerging Leader Award for her initiative as membership coordinator of the World Campus Psychology Club, where she has worked to build a more connected and welcoming community for members.
Felicia Tavares received the Student Affairs Champion Award for her broad contributions across student organizations and her commitment to sharing professional and personal development resources with peers.
Donovin Lindsay received the Alumni Impact Through Engagement Award for his continued dedication to World Campus students as a mentor, career resource, and community advocate since earning his graduate degree.
Organization recognition
Student Affairs also recognized four student organizations.
The Student Programming Board received the New Beginnings Organization Award in recognition of its rapid growth since launching in 2025. The Board has hosted more than 40 events and grown to more than 1,050 members.
The Military Service Organization received the Student Organization of the Year Award for its active programming, cross-campus partnerships, and sustained commitment to addressing the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
The Interconnected Social Club received the Membership Engagement Award for mentorship, regular programming, and intentional relationship-building.
World Campus Benefitting THON received the Student Organization Program of the Year Award after breaking its all-time fundraising record, raising more than $20,000 during the 2026 THON weekend and placing in the Top 10 among commonwealth campuses.
A Penn State education online
Penn State World Campus has been providing a Penn State education online for more than 25 years and now offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs.
Learn more about leadership opportunities for online learners at the Penn State World Campus Chaiken Center for Student Success.