Telena Smith ’21 was recently honored with the 2021 Outstanding Student Leader award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (CASE ASAP) District 2 on behalf of her work as a student alumni ambassador (SAA).
Smith serves as the chief student alumni ambassador for Daemen, the organization’s leader. Her award now makes her eligible for the national CASE ASAP honor to be announced this summer.
“Congratulations to Telena Smith on receiving this district award,” said Kathryn Hammer, director of alumni relations, who oversees the SAA organization. “Over the past year, Telena has worked to inspire the organization and engage her fellow student leaders. Her compassion and dedication is inspiring.”
Smith, a Guyanese native and Brooklyn resident, also serves as the Student Government Association president, African Student Association president, Psychological Sciences Student association president, Black Student Union vice president, Daemen College Wildcat Radio treasurer, New Student Senior Orientation Leader team member, HEOP village delegate, and study skills coach. She is a dean’s list recipient and received the Student Leadership Award.
“I am pleased to accept this award, and to be recognized for the work that takes place in SAA. I am accepting this award on behalf of my team because, without them, there would be no me. I would not be recognized as an Outstanding Student Leader if I did not have a team of amazing upcoming leaders to lead. My SAA is our SAA and that is how I choose to lead,” said Smith, who is majoring in psychology with a minor in entrepreneurship and forensics. “I love that SAA is able to connect alumni to Daemen College. I love to see how happy our ambassadors make alumni. The smiles and compassion that are brought to our alumni’s faces are the most memorable parts of our duties. I love to see my ambassadors happy when helping others because there is a bond we try to create with everyone that we meet. I love how involved we can be; it makes me happy that we work together to create a positive community. Thank you to my team of ambassadors and Mrs. Hammer!”
Since 2012, Daemen SAA has received 16 CASE ASAP District 2 awards, and also earned the inaugural Western New York Student Leadership Conference Outstanding Organization Award in 2011.