News

Blackhawk faculty and staff are available to provide expertise and insight on a wide variety of topics and current issues. Contact us at communications@blackhawk.edu for help contacting an expert or generating story ideas. If you have a media request outside of regular business hours, please contact Cassie Hartje at chartje1@blackhawk.edu or (815) 566-0930.

Get to Know Blackhawk Blackhawk Magazine Events Athletics

Back to News

Blackhawk’s Student Awards Ceremony Honors Trailblazers

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

See photos from the event at the end of this story.

On April 28, Blackhawk Technical College honored its students, faculty and staff members who have made an impact through academics, student organizations, athletics and leadership at the annual Student Awards Ceremony at its Beloit-Janesville Campus.

“I continue to be amazed every year as we celebrate your resilience, energy and quality,” said Blackhawk President Tracy Pierner, Ph.D. He added a bit that he developed with the help of artificial intelligence saying, “May this evening remind us all of the hard work behind every success and the prestige that follows perseverance.”

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:

Student of the Year Award

The award for Student of the Year recognizes students for their outstanding leadership and contributions to campus life:

Marcus Evans

Faculty and Staff of the Year Awards

Students had the opportunity to honor those who have supported their journey:

Faculty of the Year: Mitch Ziolkowski, Criminal Justice Instructor
Staff of the Year: Elisa Colson, Student Engagement Specialist

Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award

Linda Fair, Minority Excellence Organization

Outstanding Student Workers

The Outstanding Student Worker Award recognizes students who excel in their on-campus roles:

Avery Bohm
Leonard Fields
Ashley Hissong
Cris Mendoza
Susana Ortiz
Dana Pierce
Monica Reif
Mellora Wales

Outstanding Interns

The Outstanding Intern Award recognizes students who did superior work on the job:

Alicia Alvarado
Adela Diaz Escobar
Hal Kerr
Jada Kletzke
Alit Nebiu
Nieda Nimsomboon
Zachary Shaver

Student Leadership Awards

Students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in student organizations were recognized with the Student Leadership Award:

Andrea Aleman: Criminal Justice Club
Ale Bittner: Professional Agricultural Students
Avery Bohm: Student Ambassador and Peer Advisor
Kia Carter: Behavior Technician Program
Benjamin Dillavou: Foundations of Teacher Education Program
Marcus Evans: Business Professionals of America
Brandi Harris: Foundations of Teacher Education Program
Katelyn Lashley: Student Nurses Association
Precious Love: Criminal Justice Club
Lillian McMahon: Epicurean Club
Cris Mendoza: Phi Theta Kappa
Dana Pierce: Phi Theta Kappa
Monica Reif: Professional Agricultural Students
Ariana Robles: Business Management Program
Lexi Schmidt: Business Professionals of America
Jillian Schue: Veterans Club
Thaddeus Sieger: Veterans Club
Delaney Snyder: Human Resources Program
MyKayla Spingler: Student Nurses Association
Mellora Waters: Multi-Cultural Alliance

Student Organization of the Year

Professional Agricultural Students

Outstanding Academic Achievement

The following students were honored for their academic excellence, leadership and engagement in the classroom. Nominated by faculty, these students exemplify what it means to be a Blackhawk scholar: