The President's Commission on the Status of Women and Women's and Gender Studies are pleased to announce the 2020 IUP Women's Leadership Award recipients. Since 1986, these awards recognize women for their outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and community contributions on and off campus.

Student Winners by Year

One award is given at each student level at IUP. The 2020 recipients are:

  • First Year: Kayla Holsopple (College of Fine Arts, Music)

  • Sophomore: Jillian Black (College of Education and Communications)

  • Junior: Chloe Wilson (Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mathematical and Computer Sciences)

  • Senior: Vanellsa Acha (Eberly College of Business and Informational Technology, Informational Systems and Decision Sciences)

  • Graduate: Rachel Nuwagaba (College of Education and Communications, Counseling)

Global Engagement Award

This award exemplifies someone who has demonstrated outstanding leadership beyond the classroom and with an international lens. The 2020 recipient is:

  • Oskana Moroz (College of Humanities and Social Sciences, English)

Eberly College of Business and Information Technology Award

This award recognizes someone who has proven academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement with a focus on the business realm. The 2020 recipient is:

  • Kelly Kumetis (Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, Accounting)

Maureen McHugh Rising Leader Award

This award provides recognition to an individual who has contributed to the advancement of women at IUP for five years or more through elevating the status of women, improving campus policies affecting women, establishing professional development opportunities for women, and participating in the establishment of academic mentoring for women. The 2020 recipient is:

  • Nicole Goulet (College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Religious Studies)

Jane Leonard Award for the Advancement of Women

This award provides recognition to an individual who has contributed to the advancement of women at IUP for 15 years or more through elevating the status of women, improving campus policies affecting women, establishing professional development opportunities for women, and participating in the establishment of academic mentoring for women. The 2020 recipient is:

  • Theresa McDevitt (IUP Libraries)

Women LeadershipIn addition to the commission and Women's and Gender Studies, these awards are sponsored by the IUP Women's Consortium, Office of International Education, Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement, Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, and the Social Equity and Title IX Office.