The Toppel Awards

Toppel Awards on Table Awards on Table
The Toppel Awards recognizes outstanding University of Miami students, student organizations, faculty & staff members, and employers who exemplify a commitment to the professional development of themselves and/or others.

The Toppel Awards recognizes outstanding students, faculty, staff, employers, and recruiters for their commitment to career education and personal career development.

The career development of students does not rest solely on the Toppel Career Center. We are fortunate to partner with amazing career champions across and beyond the University of Miami campus. The Toppel Awards were created to honor and recognize the significant achievements of others including students, student groups, administrators, faculty, employers, and recruiters.

Nominations occur every fall with the award ceremony occurring every spring. Read on to learn more about the eligibility requirements for each award category and to view the 2024 recipients.

Student of the Year (Graduate and Undergraduate)

The Student of the Year Award is presented to a graduate and undergraduate student who are nominated by themself/staff/faculty/employer for their personal achievements, contributions to their organization/work site, demonstrated personal and/or professional growth, evidence of leadership, and academic record.

In order to be eligible, students must have participated in at least one semester of experiential education: internship, practicum, clinical, fieldwork, research or student teaching in the calendar year.

2024 Graduate Student Recipient: Nima Khadadadi

PhD Candidate – Civil Engineering


2024 Undergraduate Student Recipient: Emma Warrner

- B.S. Biomedical Engineering

 

Alum of the Year

The Alum of the Year Award is presented to one alum of the University of Miami who is achieving outstanding professional success in their career and/or making significant contributions to enhance current students' career development.

In order to be eligible, the nominee must have obtained at least one degree (undergraduate or graduate) from the University of Miami.

2024 Alumni Recipient: David Wander

- Roc Nation

 

Student Group of the Year

The Student Group of the Year Award is presented to one student group for their support of the mission and values of the Toppel Career Center within the calendar year.

In order to be eligible, student groups must be Registered Student Organizations or Registered Greek Organizations at the University of Miami who have exemplified professional development and/or career awareness in their programming/philanthropic efforts.

2024 Recipient: Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers

Distinguished Administrator

The Distinguished Administrator Award is presented to an administrator for making a significant, positive contribution to the university and for promoting professional and career development among University of Miami students through collaborative efforts.

In order to be eligible, administrators must be full-time employees, who have worked for the University for more than one year. All administrators who have engaged in helping students in their career exploration and job search process, whether it is formally part of one's job or not, are eligible. Toppel Staff members are not eligible. 

2024 Recipient: Suzanne Nelson

- University of Miami Academic Resource Center

Distinguished Faculty

The Distinguished Faculty Award is presented to a faculty member who actively supports the development of the University of Miami career community and the Toppel Career Center.

This may occur through the following:

  • Incorporating career development and career advising into their teaching and student advising
  • Seeking out partnerships with employers, graduate/professional programs, Career Services, and others who may provide internship, job or graduate/professional school opportunities for students

In order to be eligible, nominees must be current members of the University of Miami faculty. All faculty who have engaged in helping students in their career exploration and job search process, whether it is formally a part of one's job or not are eligible for nomination.

2024 Recipient: Doug Lehman

- Miami Herbert Business School

 

Employer of the Year

The Employer of the Year Award is presented to one organization for making significant contributions to the University of Miami community through support of career programs, sponsorship of events, and recruitment of our students and alumni.

In order to be eligible, employers must have posted a job/internship position and have participated in at least one Career Center event within the calendar year.

2024 Employer Recipient (Corporate): Schonfeld

2024 Recipient (Government/Non-Profit): U.S. Department of State

Recruiter of the Year

The Recruiter of the Year Award is presented to one individual for making significant contributions to the University of Miami community through support of career programs, sponsorship of events, and recruitment of our students and alumni.

In order to be eligible, the recruiter must have participated in at least one Career Center event within the calendar year.

2024 Recipient: Dylan Cassidy

- PwC

Program of the Year Award

The Program of the Year Award is presented to an individual, student organization, or faculty/administrator who has successfully implemented a career-focused program.

The program must have made a significant impact on the professional development and career readiness of University of Miami students. An example of a career program would be, "Dress Codes, Hairstyles, Tattoos, and Piercings in Today's Ever-Evolving Workplace." 

2024 Recipient: Businesses on the Block

On-Campus Internship of the Year

The On-Campus Internship of the Year Award is presented to a University of Miami department and/or leader for offering a robust internship during the 2023 calendar year, focused on developing essential skills, mentorship, and guidance, and bolstering the professional advancement of students.

To be eligible, the internship must be an on-campus experience. In addition to the responses below, nominations must include at least one testimonial from a student who has participated in the internship program (one-page maximum). 

2024 On-Campus Internship Recipient: Virtual Experiences Lab

 

#BreakThru

The Toppel Career Center's theme for 2020-2021 was #BreakThru, which represents moving past any uncertainty, fear, apathy, or information overload surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s about pushing past barriers and putting in the work to grow personally and professionally. It’s taking advantage of opportunities and moving forward in meaningful ways.

The #BreakThru Award is presented to an individual, student organization, faculty/administrator, or employer who consistently demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for the University of Miami community.

2024 #BreakThru Recipient: Sarah Petit

- B.S. Public Health

 

Patricia Toppel Award

The Patricia Toppel Award was introduced in 2017 to recognize individuals, both on and off campus, who have consistently made a positive impact on the work of the Toppel Career Center. Recipients of the Patricia Toppel Award are selected by Toppel staff based on their long-term support and collaboration in Toppel's services.

2024 Administrator Recipient: Ana Regalado

- School of Architecture

2024 Employer Recipient: Alexis Polanco

- Bloomberg

 

Past Winners

Open All Tabs
  • Student of the Year

    2023
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Jacques Calixte
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Serena Shah
    2022
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Ana Gabriela Jimenez
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Joshua Darville
    2021
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Esther Animalu
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Michel Pinard
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Melanie Plastini
    2020
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - John Joseph Zizzo
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Clara Troccoli
    2019
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Tyler Busby
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Haluk Damgacioglu
    2018
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Fayeza Malik
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Busra Keles
    2017
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Malik Bibby
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Celeste Amadei
    2016
    • Undergraduate Student of the Year - Marian Li
    • Graduate Student of the Year - Alexander Kreymerman
     
     

  • Alum of the Year

    2023
    • Daniel Samano Martin del Campo
    2022
    • Julio Pimentel
    2021
    • Eugene Sulzberger
    2019
    • Peter Chaibongsai
    2018
    • Amanda Durham
    2017
    • Kara M Cavuoto 

  • Student Group of the Year

    2023
    • Inspire U Academy
    2022
    • oSTEM
    2021
    • Theatre Action Group
    2020
    • Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers
    2019
    • Ophthalmology Interest Club
    2018
    • Biomedical Graduate Student Government
    2017
    • Delta Sigma Pi
    2016
    • Student Government

  • Distinguished Administrator

    2023
    • Kimerly Martin
    2022
    • Chris Clarke
    • Andrea Jimenez
    2021
    • Chris Hartnett
    2020
    • Alexander Martin
    • Dr. John Twichell
    2019
    • Whitley Johnson
    2018
    • Maria Robertson
    2017
    • Shirelle Jackson
    2016
    • Susie Picar

  • Distinguished Faculty

    2023
    • Dr. Wendy Cavendish
    2022
    • Dr. Andrea Heuson
    2021
    • Danielle Houck
    • Susan Leary
    2020
    • Dr. Tatiana Perrino
    2019
    • Jacklyn Collins
     

  • Employer of the Year

    2023
    • Corporate: Citi
    • Government/Non-Profit: Peace Corps
    2022
    • Corporate: Bloomberg
    • Government/Non-Profit: Federal Reserve Board
    2021
    • Corporate: Maximus
    2020
    • Corporate: Fast Enterprises
    • Government/Non-Profit: CIA
    2019
    • Corporate: Florida Power & Light Company
    • Government/Non-Profit: Miami-Dade County
    2018
    • Corporate: Chewy
    • Corporate: Enterprise
    • Government/Non-Profit: City Year
    2017
    • Corporate: Citi
    • Government/Non-Profit: FBI
    2016
    • Corporate: The Nielsen Company
    • Government/Non-Profit: U.S. Marine Corps

  • Recruiter of the Year

    2023
    • Alexis Polanco
    2022
    • Afrika Rameses-Annunm
    2021
    • Rachel Johnson
    2020
    • Chip Turrisi
    2019
    • Captain Valerie Krygier
    2018
    • Dave Ong
    2017
    • Catherine Rodriguez
    2016
    • Steve Hunsicker

  • Program of the Year

    2023
    • Miami Herbert Sophomore Career Course
    2022
    • MSA Brave Spaces
    2021
    • Frost Preparatory Program
    2020
    • Gender Chill

  • #BreakThru Award

    2023
    • Deborah Perez
    2022
    • Ashu Agarwa
    2021
    • Landon Coles

  • Patricia Toppel Award

    2023
    • Administrator: Mark Shapiro
    2022
    • Administrator: Anne Levy
    • Employer: Jewel Martin
    2021
    • Administrator: Dr. Renee Dickens Callan
    • Employer: Ken Taylor
    2020
    • Administrator: Dr. William Green
    • Employer: Dave Ong
    2019
    • Administrator: Sean Kilpatrick
    • Employer: Bill Fisse
    2018
    • Administrator: Jim Smart
    • Employer: Steve Hunsicker
    2017
    • Administrator: Ann Helmers
    • Employer: Kathleen Cymbaluk

Top