Campus Compact is pleased to announce that Mykala Bledsoe, a master’s student in sociology at The George Washington University, has been awarded Campus Compact’s Student Leadership Award. The award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate inspiring leadership qualities through civic and community engagement.
Students who receive the award lead change on their campuses and in their communities and inspire their peers to do the same. Recipients of the Student Leadership Awards are selected on the basis of their leadership and community impact, their ability to overcome adversity, their commitment to learning and deep engagement with communities, and their support from campus and community partners.
"While Mykala’s individual achievements are impressive, it is important to emphasize what I see as the hallmark of a true leader—her ability to make a lasting impact on communities and inspire those she leads to do the same in ways that generate far more (and far more powerful) collective change," said Lindsay A. Chudzik, program manager, Co-Curricular Service and director of Civic House at The George Washington University, in a letter supporting Bledsoe’s nomination for the award. "Mykala is a remarkable changemaker, leader, and person who is deserving of recognition for the work she puts in every single day, work that often goes unrecognized."
“Students and their ability to lead change on campus and in their communities is at the heart of Campus Compact’s mission,” said Bobbie Laur, Campus Compact president. “The outstanding students who receive the Campus Compact Student Leadership Award are serving in leadership roles, creating impactful programs, and collaborating with partners on and off campus to make meaningful change. We are honored to present them with this award.”
The Student Leadership Award is presented as part of Campus Compact's Impact Awards, which recognize shining examples of meaningful, impactful higher education civic and community engagement work. Mykala was one of four students to win the award nationwide. Other student winners include Rishika Kartik from Brown University, Roberto Garcia from Michigan State University, and Hilary Ramirez Payamps from Miami Dade College. Read more about the other awards and this year's recipients here.
The recipients of these awards will be recognized at Compact26, Campus Compact’s annual conference, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois, from March 16th-18th, 2026.