Student Affairs Aspire! Awards recognize recipients' passion for progress

Student Affairs' December Aspire! Awards celebrated students and faculty who showcase a commitment to pursuing growth and progress for themselves, the Virginia Tech community, and beyond.   

Student Affairs established the five Aspirations for Student Learning to recognize those who embrace learning, engaged ethics, and service. These aspirations honor the Virginia Tech community's curiosity, self-understanding and integrity, civility, leadership, and commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).  

Nominations are open for upcoming Aspire! Awards celebrations to recognize Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff.

Savaria Parrish, Commit to Unwavering Curiosity  

Savaria Parrish "is like a sponge when it comes to opportunities and resources, and she knows how to share them with other students," said a nominator. "Her curiosity is not selfish — it is giving." 

Parrish, inspired by her grandfather to pursue learning opportunities as they come, embraces the power of asking "why" in pursuit of understanding the universe. Her research pursuits led her to be selected as the first undergraduate to present a research seminar at the Space@VT Center. She shares her academic experience and uplifts fellow students as a Diversifying Science Peer Mentor in the College of Science.  

Parrish was recognized for her devotion to learning and generosity in helping others. 

Parrish is a junior majoring in geosciences with a minor in astronomy in the College of Science.  

Ainsley Cragin, Practice Civility  

"I find beauty and strength in those moments when people choose to really invest in building understanding with others," said Ainsley Cragin.  

Through her roles as a student fellow in the Office of Vice President of Student Affairs, vice president for issues and policy for the Undergraduate Student Senate, and a representative for undergraduates at the Virginia State Council of Higher Education, Cragin pursues action to uplift the voices of others, embracing the importance of open communication as a way to grow.  

Cragin was recognized for her commitment to fostering a respectful and open environment for others to share their experiences and values. 

Cragin is a senior majoring in multimedia journalism with a minor in international relations in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.  

Kody Ho, Prepare for a Life of Courageous Leadership  

Kody Ho "embodies the qualities of a courageous leader, always taking initiative and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to positive change," said a nominator.  

Ho's nominators describe his efforts as president of Phi Delta Theta to instill a cultural shift in the fraternity. Ho implemented systems and organized the campuswide initiative Turning Tragedies into Progress to raise awareness about the dangers and lasting impacts of hazing. Beyond his fraternity, he supports students as a Hokies on Track intern for New Student and Family Programs. 

Ho was recognized for his ability to lead and inspire through mentorship and service. 

Ho is a senior majoring in marketing management with a minor in professional sales in the Pamplin College of Business.  

Mattison Homard, Embrace Ut Prosim as a Way of Life  

Mattison Homard's "ability to inspire, connect, and uplift those around her has created a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond Virginia Tech," said a nominator.   

As director and corporate sponsorship leader for Relay for Life for Virginia Tech, Homard works to support fundraising at Virginia Tech. She is a National Campus and Youth Engagement Team member, the recognition strategy chair for the American Cancer Society, a life skills trainer at NeuroRestorative, and a champion for cancer research. This year, she was honored at the national Relay for Life conference for her advocacy for cancer research.   

Homard was recognized for her dedicated service and role in making Virginia Tech's Relay for Life fundraising event one of the leading in the country.

Homard is a senior majoring in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience with a minor in psychology in the College of Science with a minor in adaptive brain and behavior in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Science.  

Ibrahim Tahmid, Pursue Self-Understanding and Integrity 

Ibrahim Tahmid "exemplifies self-understanding through the creative, thoughtful, and impactful projects he has launched in service to the community,” said a nominator. 

As an officer in the Association of Bangladeshi Students and a member of the Global International Student Ambassador Program, Tahmid works to give back to organizations that supported him during his transition to Virginia Tech. His experiences as an international student led him to spearhead "Home Beyond Home," a photo exhibition showcasing students' representations of their homes and identities.   

Tahmid was recognized for bridging personal and community experiences to turn individual stories into a collective celebration of identity, connection, and belonging.  

Tahmid is a graduate student in computer science with emphasis in human-computer interaction in the College of Engineering.  

Alexa Fraley Gardner, Pursue Self-Understanding and Integrity Faculty/Staff Award 

"To me, self-understanding and integrity mean consistently reflecting on everything I have experienced in all facets of my educational, professional, and personal journey, and using that as the foundation for the modeling and mentorship I provide to others," said Alexa Fraley Gardner.  

Gardner has served the Virginia Tech Child Development Center for Learning and Research from her undergraduate student career to her current role as an advanced instructor and curriculum coordinator. Her nominator describes her as proactively community-minded in her commitment to students and their learning.

By guiding students pursuing field study experiments or opportunities for service-learning each year, Gardner supports students through challenges and motivates them to achieve their goals. 

Gardner was recognized for her work fostering rich and intentional learning opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds through reflection, collaboration, advocacy, and research.  

Upcoming Aspire! Awards 

The Aspire! Awards occur five times each academic year to celebrate students and faculty or staff who reflect the Aspirations for Student Learning.  All members of the Virginia Tech community are welcome to register and attend.

Nominations are open for the upcoming Aspire! Awards to highlight Hokies' commitment to supporting their communities.

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