The Oski Student Leadership Awards honor students, faculty, staff, and organizations who have contributed to the growth, development, and vitality of UC Berkeley and the broader community. We also recognize students who complete the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy, a program that provides a customized experience for undergraduate Berkeley students to develop leadership competencies.
2026 Oski Student Leadership Awards
Please join us in congratulating the following student leaders, staff, and organization recipients for the 2026 Oski Student Leadership Awards. A ceremony for award winners was held on April 2, 2026.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Organization Award
The Outstanding Student Organization Award is given to a group of students who have significantly impacted the undergraduate student population, the campus, or the community through innovation, collaboration, and the quality of leadership they have displayed.
Recipient: Prison Education Project at Berkeley (PEP) for demonstrating exceptional community impact through innovative, student-led, trauma-informed education that serves incarcerated and justice-impacted communities.
Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award
The Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award is given to a graduate organization that has significantly impacted the graduate student population, the campus, or the community through innovation, collaboration, and the quality of leadership they have displayed.
Recipient: Critical Pacific Islands Studies Collective, a mentorship program for graduates to connect with undergraduates focused on Pacific Islands Studies, environmental justice (EJ) practice, and community-based scholarly research.
Outstanding Student Staff Member Award
The Outstanding Student Staff Member Award is given to a student employee who has significantly impacted the campus community through innovation, collaboration, and the quality of leadership they have displayed.
Recipient: Marlenne Perez who has made a tremendous difference as a leader for upcoming first generation students through the The Puente Project in the UC Berkeley Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) program.
Outstanding Campus Partnership Award
The Outstanding Campus Partnership award is presented to a group of students, faculty, and/or administrative staff who demonstrate commitment to UC Berkeley’s principles of community and have positively impacted the student experience.
Recipient: School of Public Health Social Impact Team, who has supported student-led projects, distributed thousands of dollars in grant funding, and facilitated collaborations with numerous local and regional organizations, generating sustained impact in public health, equity, and social innovation.
The Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence
The Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence is presented by the Associate Vice Chancellor/Dean of Students to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and belonging, justice and positively impacted the lives of UC Berkeley students.
Recipient: Abigail Verino, a first-generation Filipina American and current President of the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC). Abigail embodies the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice through her sustained, student-centered leadership and her measurable impact on the lives of UC Berkeley students.
Outstanding Faculty and Staff Advisor Award
The Outstanding Faculty and Staff Advisor Award is given annually to a member of the faculty, administrative, or support staff who has repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to the community and its needs, and who has also affected the lives of UC Berkeley students.
Recipient: Adam Fasbender for his work as a Residential Conduct Coordinator and Peer Review Board (PRB) Advisor. Adam profoundly impacted the lives of students through his leadership, mentorship, and service.
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership
The Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership is presented by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to both an undergraduate and graduate student who has demonstrated significant leadership to the campus community through equity, innovation, and collaboration.
Undergraduate Recipient: Shrida Pandey. By expanding access to research training, peer support, and community-engaged scholarship, Shrida creates pathways for students, especially AAPI and immigrant students, to translate lived experience into rigorous work that informs campus and community health priorities.
Graduate Recipient: Rafael Meza Duriez. Rafael (Rafa) is a PhD candidate in the School of Education who serves on the administrative team for the Village International Program (VIP), a free social and educational program at University Village Albany. Rafa fosters belonging at VIP, in the larger Village community, and on campus as a PhD student, researcher, and Graduate Student Instructor (GSI).
Kenneth Priestley Award
Established by the Associated Students, the Cal Alumni Association, and friends in memory of Kenneth Priestley, the Kenneth Priestley Award recognizes a “graduating senior who is outstanding in student leadership and contribution to student welfare.” In existence since 1951, this award includes a medal and $1,000 monetary award to the recipient.
Recipient: Calvin Yang, who has centered student welfare as both an immediate responsibility and a long-term obligation. He leads with empathy, rigor, and accountability, bridging student voice with institutional and legislative action. His work strengthens systems, expands access, and affirms the dignity of students navigating complex challenges.
Lynn H. Nakada Residential Leadership Award
This award recognizes outstanding student leaders that have distinguished themselves as a Resident Assistant, Senior Resident Assistant, Theme Program Resident Assistant, or Residence Hall Assembly officers and leaders. Two recipients are selected annually by the Department of Residential Life, each with a $500 monetary award.
Recipient 1: Joey Situ, Unit 2 Hall Association President. Joey has enhanced the Unit 2 residential community by leading with a clear commitment to belonging, connection, and resident-centered programming.
Recipient 2: Charlie Lin, Unit 6 Resident Assistant. Charlie has had an incredibly positive impact on the residential community through his dedication to the Resident Assistant role, care for his residents, and commitment to creating meaningful experiences that bring people together.