Aspirations for Student Learning

A group of people pose for a photo against a blue backdrop that reads "Aspirations for Student Learning"

How do we want students to learn and grow through their engagement with Student Affairs?

This all-important question has been at the center of a strategic visioning process recently undertaken by Student Affairs. Through a series of surveys, listening sessions, and working groups, we have arrived at five key student learning outcomes, known collectively as the Aspirations for Student Learning.

Aspirations for Student Learning

Together, these Aspirations will play a critical role in helping Student Affairs fulfill our mission of educating beyond the classroom, helping students to deepen self-awareness, develop relationships, nurture inclusion, and find fulfillment in the collegiate experience to ensure lifelong success and happiness.

Continue reading to explore the Aspirations and be sure to check this page for additional information and updates as the Aspirations are introduced to our community.

The Five Aspirations

Curiosity

Asking questions and exploring new ideas, new relationships, and new possibilities is central to the Student Affairs experience. Learners of all kinds are encouraged to dream big and develop their talents to support community well-being where everyone thrives. As integrative thinkers and lifelong learners, students’ curiosity is harnessed and honed for the benefit of all.

Self-Awareness

Discovery begins within. Student Affairs helps students identify and strengthen their individual values in order to live with greater purpose. Students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and in turn identify their strengths, weaknesses, and ways to employ self-understanding as a powerful tool for academic, professional, and interpersonal success.

Collaboration

Relationships and partnerships are vital to individual and collective success. Student Affairs helps students expand their local and global consciousness and discover ways to build understanding through inclusive and intentional connections. Embracing diverse perspectives and differing viewpoints fosters compassion and inspires action on behalf of others.

Confidence

Developing character along with competency leads to confidence. Student Affairs instills values that promote personal growth and emotional strength. Navigating life’s many challenges requires not just intellectual fortitude, but also healthy self-esteem. Helping students grow both academically and emotionally builds tenacity, determination, and resilience.

Responsible Leadership

Ethical decision making, socially responsible action, and impactful change are realized with great leadership skills. Student Affairs prepares students to become visionary leaders who address complex issues and make the world a better place.

Aspirations Awards

The Aspirations Awards recognize Hopkins students, faculty, and staff who exemplify our Aspirations for Student Learning. Five students, each representing a different Aspiration, and two faculty/staff members are awarded each semester.

Homewood students of any major and level of study and Homewood faculty and staff are eligible for nomination, and multiple names can be submitted. Awardees will be selected and notified by the Aspiration Awards committee.

Nominations for the Spring 2026 Aspirations Awards are now open! Fill out the nomination form to share the story of a student or colleague you would like to see honored for their embodiment of the Aspirations. The nomination deadline is Friday, February 27.

Fall 2025 Student Awardees

  • Curiosity: Joniel Lewis, KSAS ‘26

    “Growth often happens when you step into something unfamiliar and choose to ask questions instead of avoiding what you don’t understand. Learning is one of the most powerful things you can do in life, and curiosity is how you get there.”

  • Self-Awareness: Ja’Niyah Moore, KSAS ‘26

    “Self-awareness is critical to me, as it sets the foundation of my identity, goals, and values. I believe being in tune with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions to serve a greater good helps you build character and foster self-love within.”

  • Collaboration: Sara Kaufman, KSAS ‘27

    “I think most of my personal growth over the past three years has occurred through increasingly regular efforts to talk to people I don’t think I have a lot in common with, to ‘burst the Hopkins Bubble’ by exploring ‘Smalltimore’ and DC, and to volunteer with and serve a diverse range of people.”

  • Confidence: Zabdiel Silva, KSAS ‘26

    “Confidence and belief are what kept me going—realizing that that I not only have my family’s dreams and ambitions on my back but my community’s as well.”

  • Responsible Leadership: Prisha Batra, KSAS ‘26

    “To lead is to be aware of your ripple effect,” of how “your words can either liberate or confine someone else’s possibility… It’s the silent accountability that lingers with every action we take and every life our work touches.”

Fall 2025 Staff Awardees

  • Curiosity: Daniel Lopez, Technical Production Coordinator, Arellano Theater

    “Curiosity is a foundational element to human achievement and has catapulted us to every major achievement we have accomplished, whether in the arts, sciences, or humanities.”

  • Collaboration: Alia Poonawala, Executive Director, Hire Hopkins

    “When you bring the right people into the room, listen deeply, and keep students at the center, collaboration becomes a powerful tool for innovation rather than just another meeting on the calendar.”

Previous Awardees

Spring 2025

Student Awardees

  • Curiosity Award: Ryan Alezz, WSE ’25
  • Self-Awareness Award: Kayley Sanchez Forbes, WSE ’27
  • Collaboration Award: Sun Moon, WSE ’25
  • Confidence Award: Ifeoluwa Akinropo, KSAS, ’25
  • Responsible Leadership Award: Oluwanifemi Adebisi, KSAS ’26

Staff Awardees

  • Collaboration Award: Jessica Dress, Life Design Lab
  • Responsible Leadership Award: Lee Hawthorne, Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Student Initiatives

Fall 2024

Student Awardees

  • Curiosity Award: Arionna Bell, KSAS ‘26
  • Self-Awareness Award: Jess Kuo, KSAS ‘25
  • Collaboration Award: Ritvik Pulya, WSE ‘25
  • Confidence Award: Juni Zugish, KSAS ‘25
  • Responsible Leadership Award: Tom Grehan, KSAS ’24

Staff Awardees

  • Collaboration Award: Taz Shah, Student Outreach & Support
  • Responsible Leadership: Jessica Snell, Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development

Aspirations Celebrations

Aspirations Award recipients will be recognized during Aspirations Celebrations, a semi-annual event that brings our community together to acknowledge students, faculty, and staff for living into the Aspirations. The fall Aspirations Celebration is held in December; the spring Aspirations Celebration is held in May.