Academic Awards
An Otis education is widely known for its academic rigor and educational excellence. The College recognizes the highest level of achievement with the Valedictory Award, Academic Excellence Awards, Distinction in Studio Awards, and Honors.
Types of Awards:
- Valedictorian: An honor given to one of the Academic Excellenec Award recipients.
- Academic Excellence Award: An honor given to UG and GRD students (UGs eligible only if they are on the Honor's list).
- Honors: An honor given to graduating seniors (UG only) who achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher as of Spring semester.
- Dean's List: An honor given to all who achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher in a particular semester.
Valedectorian
2024 Valedictory Award
Product Design major Reanna Brown has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2023. This award is bestowed annually on the member of the senior class whose work represents the pinnacle of academic excellence. This graduate receives a special medallion and presents an address to be included in this year's Commencement recognition. Reanna was chosen for their continuously stellar academic performance throughout her Otis College career and the exceptional quality of their studio work.
Fine Arts major Jessie Gaudet has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2024. This award is bestowed annually on the member of the senior class whose work represents the pinnacle of academic excellence. This graduate receives a special medallion and presents an address to be included in this year's Commencement recognition. Jessie was chosen for their continuously stellar academic performance throughout her Otis College career and the exceptional quality of their studio work.
Raised on the dynamic westside of Los Angeles, their life was deeply intertwined with the outdoors and the ocean, fostering interests in activities like surfing and marine biology. This connection to nature profoundly influences their work, where they explore the intricate relationships between and within our bodies using sculpture, video, photo, and performance. During their time at Otis College, they delved deeper into understanding the psychological and spiritual connections we have with our physical selves, employing curiosity, play, and a fascination with the unusual. Their work and experiences at Otis, coupled with their outdoor roots, illustrate a compelling pursuit and the continuous exploration of the human condition through art.
A talented and devoted artist that brings out the best in their classmates, instructors, the Fine Arts department, and larger Otis communities, Jessie is truly an asset to Otis College.
A talented, considerate, profoundly investigative, and devoted designer that brings out the best in her classmates, instructors, the Product Design department, and larger Otis communities, Reanna is truly an asset to Otis College.
Awards
2024 Academic Excellence Awards
The Academic Excellence Award is the highest honor given to graduating students in a major program. Selections are made by program leaders and faculty, and affirmed by the College’s academic awards committee. Criteria include a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher (for undergraduates), quality of work, personal character, and contributions to Otis and the larger community. These students wear a special purple cord at the Commencement ceremony.
The 2024 Academic Excellence Award recipients are:
Undergraduate
- Aimee Toyama, Communication Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design
- Vibhu Venkatesh, Communication Arts with an emphasis in Illustration
- Morrison Salmon, Digital Media with an emphasis in Animation
- Saul Ceniceros, Digital Media with an emphasis in Game and Entertainment Design
- Troi Boyer, Digital Media with an emphasis in Motion Design
- Christian Rose, Environmental Design
- Zhiyou Pan, Fashion Design
- Sua Kim, Fine Arts with an emphasis in Painting
- Mayolo Figueroa, Fine Arts with an emphasis in Photography
- Jessica Gaudet, Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture/New Genres
- Emily Kong, Product Design
- Kenzie Waskiewicz, Toy Design
Graduate
- Joaquin Stacey-Calle, MFA Fine Arts
- Manali Anare, MFA Graphic Design
2024 Distinction in Studio Awards
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Communication Arts Distinction in Studio Award Digital Media Distinction in Studio Award Environmental Design Distinction in Studio Award Fashion Design Distinction in Studio Awards Distinction in Sophomore Design Awards Distinction in Sophomore Studio Awards Distinction in Junior Design Awards Distinction in Junior Studio Awards Distinction in Senior Design Awards Distinction in Senior Studio Awards Fine Arts Distinction in Studio Awards Product Design Distinction in Studio Award Toy Design Distinction in Studio Award MFA Graphic Design Distinction in Studio Award MFA Fine Arts Distinction in Studio Award |
Dean's List
Honors List
An honor given to graduating seniors (Undergraduate only) who achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher as of Spring semester.
Dean's List
Students whose cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or higher earn a place on the Dean's List.
Student Leadership Awards
Otis College of Art and Design recognizes outstanding student leaders, student groups, and student organizations every year through Student Leadership Awards. These awards aim to honor student contributions which have enhanced our Otis College Campus Community. The following students were nominated for Student Leadership Awards by their peers, faculty, supervisors, or by student affairs professionals that they work with. The Student Leadership Committee has reviewed all nominations and determined the winners.
Outstanding Contribution to the College Award
Yessica Kim
Outstanding Contribution to the College Award recognizes a graduating Otis College student who has provided outstanding contributions on campus and/or beyond the campus community. Some examples include students who have organized or led initiatives, served or volunteered on campus in ways that made a positive impact, or other service activities beyond the campus community.
Nomination: "Yessica Kim has shown an outstanding achievement at Otis college for 4 years. She has worked as a former TISO for 2 years and dedicated time to the international students at Otis. Not only has she participated as a leader at Otis, but also she has received awards including dean's list, and the WIT (women in toys) award, proving that she has worked well during her school year."
Spirited Owl Award
Gabi Masso-Isern
The Spirited Owl Award recognizes a graduating Otis College student who is recognized by their peers and faculty for their positive spirit, kindness, passion, and enthusiasm. This award is given to a student who has been actively engaged in representing Otis College through their determination, creativity, innovation, and drive.
Nomination: "Gabi has dedicated and committed many years supporting students and providing a welcoming and energizing community at Otis. Through her previous and current student leadership roles as a Peer Mentor and Campus Activities Board member, she is actively finding new ways to make students feel connected to the Otis Community. She undoubtedly exudes the Otis spirit with her determination, creativity, and innovation."
Student Leader of the Year
Jamila Koch
Student Leader of the Year is someone who wholly reflects the mission of the Otis College Student Leadership Program: "Otis College of Art and Design student leaders are devoted to enriching students’ experiences on campus by providing them with a network of support and guidance, developing interactive programming, and fostering a friendly and diverse community that is built on respect". This person has worked hard to support and engage the Otis College student body, has thrived for excellence, and has served their community with enthusiasm, dedication, flexibility, and inclusiveness.
Nomination: "Jamila serves as a member of the Food Committee and they have gone above and beyond in their participation and contributions to this committee. Before every Committee meeting, Jamila would connect with their peers to gather feedback and add the feedback to the agendas. I am deeply grateful for Jamila's leadership"
Additionally, Jamila served as a Resident Assistant and Women in Animation President during the 2021-22 academic year.
Outstanding Club/Organization of the Year
Women in Animation (WIA)
Nomination: The Women in Animation (WIA) receives special recognition for their excellent work in supporting its members and contributing to our campus community. This student-led organization provided opportunities for professional development and interactive and meaningful programming. They also planned events that took students off-campus to grow their skills. This club's contributions to Otis College and Student Life has made a lasting impact, and their legacy will surely thrive and grow here at Otis College.
Student Leaders
The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership would also like to thank all the student leaders in the following student groups for their incredible contributions to our campus community. Their hard work and dedication has made an amazing impact and we are so lucky that we had the opportunity to work with them!
Campus Activities Board
- Sami Back
- Bella Borquez
- Gabi Masso-Isern
- Adriene Im
- Maddie Davis
- Erin Jones
Peer Mentor
- Aine Schimmelman
- Emelie Gardanier
- Daycie De Luz
- Patrick Henderson
- Suni Mullen
- Bowen Friddle
TISO
- Ami Kurosawa
- Isabel Park
- Laura Salazar
- Moria Fan
Student Union
- Kaiden Robinson
- Alan Xu
- Reanna Brown
- Arabella Osorio
- Sami Back
Resident Assistants
- Tiahna Barmore
- Lee Hill
- Daron Vinson
- Izzy De Paz
- MarcAnthony Smith
- Jamila Koch
- Nyjah Yates
- Reanna Brown
- Sam Ortiz
- Rose Gharzarian
- Alyssa Rodriguez
Admissions Student Ambassadors and Student Outreach Mentors
- Alana Washington
- Anders Pomeroy
- Ashley Khalil
- Daycie De Luz
- Jaki Maj
- Lucien Caro
- Leila Al Jazzaf
- Bowen Friddle
- Erin Jones
- Winnie Hu
- Laura Salazar
- Neshia Farhangi
- Kayla Dang