The Graduate Student Leadership Award was created to recognize graduate students who have exhibited outstanding service that has positively impacted the campus or wider Urbana-Champaign community.
Donald Molina, master’s student in Food Science and Human Nutrition, has demonstrated commitment to enhancing the graduate student experience. As Vice President of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Graduate Student Association, Molina took initiative in organizing social events to rekindle community among students feeling isolated during the pandemic. Molina’s track record of service and leadership extends to his contributions to the Discovering STEM in ACES program for underrepresented students and as the president of the Zamorano Alumni Group. In granting Molina the award, the selection committee commended his strong record of voluntary work and demonstration of key leadership qualities including “integrity” and “humility.”