Â鶹¹ÙÍø Students to Highlight this SpringÂ
Author Audrey Soemarno '27 is a Media & Communication major and works as a student assistant at Â鶹¹ÙÍø, contributing to Â鶹¹ÙÍø News.
This spring semester, we’re celebrating seven exceptional Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University students who have embodied what it means to be a Wildcat. Whether they’ve earned prestigious awards, made their mark in the sports industry, aided underrepresented communities or who represent student athletes in Â鶹¹ÙÍø these individuals have made a difference at Â鶹¹ÙÍø. Their dedication and drive reflect the best of Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s spirit on campus, in their communities and in their future careers. Get to know the students who have led, achieved and inspired this season.
Lea Dalton '26 & Grace Miles '26
Attending Â鶹¹ÙÍø has been a transformative journey for both Grace Miles '26 and Lea Dalton '26, who were both recognized with a prestigious Bar & Restaurant Expo scholarship for their accomplishments in the beverage industry. Grace and Lea, who both major in Food & Beverage Industry Management, were drawn to Â鶹¹ÙÍø for its hands-on learning and deep industry connections.
“The hospitality degree programs felt specific enough to give me a real educational perspective on niche industry scenarios,” Grace shared. For Lea, it was Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s “focus on real-life experience” that sealed her decision. Their passion for the beverage field and dedication to their roles helped them stand out.
Grace’s work as the student assistant for the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation included launching a newsletter and Instagram () with that she helped create student-led beverage events. Lea credits her own recognition to a mix of “motivation, strong support from professors and networking within the industry.” Their paths may differ slightly as Grace leans toward production and Lea towards sales, but both students are grounded in taking initiative and embracing every opportunity Â鶹¹ÙÍø provides.
Their experience at the in Las Vegas exceeded their expectations, providing not only professional growth but gains in confidence. “Being recognized and walking the same red carpet as so many big names in the industry was truly unforgettable,” Grace recalled.
Lea described receiving the scholarship on stage as “a proud, confidence-boosting moment.” From touring exciting stops like Netflix Bites and Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant to engaging with cutting-edge industry innovations, both found the expo to be a whirlwind of inspiration and learning. Lea embraced networking by “staying relaxed, asking questions, and following up with contacts.”
Grace emphasized the importance of preparation: “Practice your pitch, speak with purpose, shake hands — and you’ll be golden.” Looking ahead, Lea hopes to become a liquor sales representative, drawn to the fast-paced nature of the industry, while Grace is aiming for a summer role in alcoholic beverage production and dreams of becoming a leader who fosters supportive work environments.
As Grace sums it up, “Being a student here means having the freedom to explore your interests, the support to make something out of them and the responsibility to pass that value forward.”
Benjamin Gill '26
Benjamin Gill '26 is a rising senior at Â鶹¹ÙÍø Charlotte majoring in Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management. He has made impressive accomplishments in his career, one being his part time job with the . As the game night staffer for the Hornets, Ben plays a significant role in media operations. “I sit in on the press conferences, transcribe them and then distribute it to my boss who sends it to the media outlets,” he shared.
Ben recently grew his skills instant inputting during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, tracking real-time game statistics and delivering that data to platforms like ESPN. Through this experience, Ben has gained invaluable insights into sports operations, and his ultimate goal is to handle public relations for the Hornets after graduation.
Outside of his work with the Hornets he has contributed to the Sports Marketing Club at Â鶹¹ÙÍø Charlotte. “We went to Washington, D.C., for a sports conference, and it was a great experience to network with professionals and hear about their journeys,” he shared about his event participation with the club.
Ben’s Sports Marketing Club involvement has helped him expand his connections within the sports marketing field. His persistent dedication to pursuing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom has demonstrated his commitment to his own growth.
“Put yourself out there, get connected, and follow up with people," Ben advised fellow students. “Nothing’s guaranteed, but opportunities will come if you’re proactive.”
Venisa L. Rodriguez ’26 & Stephanie Tudela ’26
Venisa Rodriguez is an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) graduate student. She has distinguished herself through her commitment to research and service to underrepresented communities. Venisa’s decision to join the OTD program was influenced by Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s opportunities across various programs from healthcare to culinary arts.
This level of personalized support has been a key aspect in her academic journey that has enabled her to present her research at prestigious conferences including the American Occupational Therapy Association’s . Her involvement in research in nontraditional and emerging practice areas demonstrated her passion for addressing the needs of underserved populations.
Venisa shared, “The professors showed genuine interest in my personal and professional goals, and their desire to support the next generation of occupational therapists was tangible.” She particularly mentions Dr. Tania Rosa, Dr. Monique Dawes and Dr. Nancy Dooley. She also appreciates her colleagues, noting “Much of my research success is attributed to my research team, Acadia Cass and Jayde Monteiro, with whom I have presented at several conferences and are in the process of finalizing a manuscript for publication submission.”
Through these collaborative efforts, Venisa earned her spot as a future scientist in the OTD program. This opportunity allowed her to network with top researchers in the field and gain knowledge in emerging occupational therapy practices. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue pediatric, mental health and community-based practices, particularly in underprivileged communities. Venisa’s journey at Â鶹¹ÙÍø reflects her dedication to both personal growth and professional contributions to the field of occupational therapy.
Stephanie Tudela '22, a Health Science alum who is now an Occupational Therapy Doctorate graduate student set to finish in May 2027, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by being selected to participate in the .
Stephanie's passion for research and advocacy has been a driving force behind her success. "At the core of my passion for occupational therapy is a strong commitment to providing equitable care," Stephanie shared. Her research focuses on enhancing emotional and social well-being for individuals with physical disabilities, particularly in areas often overlooked, such as intimacy and relationships.
She credits her mentors at Â鶹¹ÙÍø for nurturing her curiosity and encouraging her to pursue her interests beyond traditional paths.: "My mentors continue to inspire me and challenge me to grow." Reflecting on her journey, Stephanie sees her selection to the prestigious institute’s program as a reflection of the values she cultivated during her time at Â鶹¹ÙÍø. "This accomplishment reflects the values of curiosity, resilience and innovation," she said.
Stephanie’s advice to fellow students is to pursue what truly sparks their passion: "Don’t be afraid to follow the questions that really spark your interest, even if they seem unconventional.” With her drive to combine clinical practice and research, Stephanie is poised to make a lasting impact in the field of occupational therapy, continuing to advocate for greater occupational justice and inclusivity for marginalized communities.
Davis Bone '26
At Â鶹¹ÙÍø, leadership and creativity thrive through student organizations such as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) where students like Davis Bone, are making a lasting impact. Davis is a junior who is majoring in Biology.
As a student-athlete, Davis sought opportunities to combine athletics and culinary. He co-led SAAC’s culinary-inspired initiative designed to educate athletes on nutrition and self-sufficiency. “We were emailing big lists of different ideas,” he explained. “Pretty much every varsity team had representation there.”
Extending beyond event planning, Davis handled logistics, coordinated schedules and connected with Chef Jonathan Poyourow about the event. “Making sure people were there and communicating about the event were a big part of what I learned as a leader,” he said. Although Davis’ co-leader, senior Harmony Chicoose '25, couldn’t attend the event in person, she played a key role in its conception and development. “We wanted to take a little bit more control and come up with different areas to put our main focus in,” she shared, praising Davis for taking the lead when needed. Davis credited their strong teamwork by adding, “That’s what separates the leaders in our group — everyone has good ideas, but leaders help push those forward.”
Davis and Harmony’s teamwork and initiative helped create a new tradition that leans into Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s culinary strengths while also addressing the needs of student-athletes. For Davis, the experience reinforced his passion for supporting health in practical ways as a theme that aligns with both his academic and personal goals.
Together these seven students have accomplished so much with spirit and dedication defining the Wildcat experience here at Â鶹¹ÙÍø. Their diverse achievements show that at Â鶹¹ÙÍø students don’t just learn yet they innovate, collaborate, and inspire others along the way. As we celebrate their accomplishments this spring we are reminded that the future is bright with Wildcats like these paving the way.
Stay tuned to see more student accomplishments and achievements coming up next semester!