Student Affairs’ October Aspire! Awards honored students and faculty who showcase a lasting dedication and profound passion to serve the Virginia Tech community. 

Established in 2011, the Aspire! Awards recognize those who embody the Aspirations for Student Learning: the curiosity, self-understanding and integrity, civility, courageous leadership, and Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) of the Virginia Tech community. 

Nominations are open for Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff to be recognized during the upcoming 2024-25 Aspire! Awards celebrations. 

Elea-Maria Abisamra, Pursue Self-Understanding and Integrity

Abisamra began writing books as a child, learning in fifth grade that she could publish her stories online.

In 2022, Abisamra founded Kids Can Write, a nonprofit organization that helps children publish their stories with the support and mentorship needed to make their dreams a reality. Since then, her nonprofit has helped over 200 individuals become published authors with the help of Virginia Tech students acting as tutors and leaders.   

Abisamra was recognized for demonstrating passionate commitment and an understanding of and trust in her goals as she pursues her vision to help others share their perspective.

Abisamra is a senior majoring in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience in the College of Science with minors in creative writing in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and in entrepreneurship in Pamplin College of Business.

Oliver Nazarian, Practice Civility

Nazarian models civility and compassion in the communities he serves, leading by honoring the principles of respect, kindness, patience, and understanding.  

Before graduating from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Nazarian served as a student leader and commander. His nominators described him as “embodying a commitment to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and selfless service," citing his compassionate, courteous approach to navigating complex situations.

Nazarian was recognized for his commitment to thoughtful leadership that cultivates the well-being of others.   

Nazarian is an industrial systems engineering major in the College of Engineering with a minor in leadership studies through the Corps of Cadet's Rice Center for Leader Development.  

Jaxon Robert, Prepare for a Life of Courageous Leadership

Robert honors his values by guiding peers in committed and compassionate service to his community.  

Robert has served on the Hokie Wellness Sexual Violence Prevention team, as a peer mentor at the Cranwell International Center, and as a leader in his fraternity. As a peer educator, his determination to candidly address sexual violence prevention has made Virginia Tech a safer community for everyone.

Robert was recognized for his wholehearted commitment to uplift, educate, and protect the Virginia Tech community.  

Robert is a senior majoring in business information technology with a concentration in operations and supply chain management in Pamplin College of Business.

Andre Asarian, Embrace Ut Prosim as a Way of Life 

Asarian's abiding passion for helping others shows in his service as a leader, mentor, and medical provider.  

As a Defense Civilian Training Corps scholar, undergraduate student senator, academic peer advisor, leader in the Corps of Cadets, and volunteer with multiple local fire and rescue services, Asarian has embodied a steadfast devotion to his roles and commitment to uplifting his peers.  

Asarian was recognized for his enthusiastic dedication to service, pursuing his passions for medicine and helping others through mentorship and care.  

Asarian is a senior in the Honors College, double majoring in public health in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He is minoring in war and society and health communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and leadership studies through the Corps of Cadet's Rice Center for Leader Development.  

Challen Waller, Commit to Unwavering Curiosity 

Waller's desire to learn, play with ideas, find answers, and craft an argument for change has driven innovative research objectives.

Beyond his personal ambitions, Waller embraces his curious nature to inspire student involvement with research. He is a co-founder and standing president of the Innovative Agriculture Club at Virginia Tech, working to offer students hands-on opportunities to learn non-traditional agricultural methods and collaborate with the community to promote sustainable agriculture. 

Waller was recognized for the insatiable inquiry, hard work, and determination he exhibits as he works to improve our world. 

Waller is a senior studying biological systems engineering in the College of Engineering

Tanner Cooper, Commit to Unwavering Curiosity Faculty/Staff Award

Cooper has described each day as an opportunity to pursue a greater understanding of the world and to support personal growth not only in himself, but within his community.  

Cooper is the assistant director for Living-Learning Programs and honors living in the Office of Living-Learning Programs. His nominators described him as a model of lifelong learning, inspiring those around him as he fosters an environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, discover, and understand the world surrounding them.   

Cooper was recognized for his enduring efforts to embrace a spirit of curiosity while working to support, encourage, and empower the Virginia Tech community to do the same.   

Upcoming Aspire! Awards celebrations  

The Aspire! Awards occur five times each academic year to honor students, faculty, and staff who embody the five Aspirations for Student Learning. 

Nominations for Aspire! Awards are currently being accepted for 2024-25 to recognize the remarkable contributions of Hokies to the Virginia Tech community and beyond. 

Written by Kyndall Hanson, a senior majoring in multimedia journalism and philosophy, politics, and economics

 

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