2025 Alumni Award Recipients in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
We are honored to recognize the recipients of our College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Awards of Distinction.
- Daniel Nikolits, ’07, CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Global Engagement
- LaMarcus D. Howard, ’09, CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Professional Practice
- Emily Rambo, ’16, CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Public Service
- Angeline Boulley, ’88, MPA ’01, CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Scholarly or Creative Activity
CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Global Engagement
The distinction for global engagement is awarded to alumni who make a global impact. Whether working domestically or abroad, these alumni have acquired the cultural proficiency and skills to improve the lives of people where they are and impact their lives in a significant way.
Daniel Nikolits
Dan Nikolits, '07, turned a CMU double-major in German and Anthropology into a life of global service. On campus he packed his days with discovery—Anthropology and German Clubs, University Theatre, MHTV—and even founded the After-Hours Improv Club. After a study-abroad in Germany and an internship at Minute Man National Historical Park, he spent a year with AmeriCorps—then, when the 2008 crash froze hiring, he pivoted to graduate school. Dan earned an MA in International Relations at UNC-Chapel Hill, including a year at Humboldt-Universität in Berlin. Since 2012 he’s been at the World Bank—now an External Affairs Officer—helping governments tackle long-term challenges from education and infrastructure to clean water and energy. His through-line is simple and bold: connect people, policy, and purpose to reduce poverty and expand opportunity worldwide.
CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Professional Practice
The distinction for professional practice is awarded to alumni who are highly skilled practitioners in their field. These are people who make a difference in the lives of people every day through their craft and deep understanding of the human condition.
LaMarcus D. Howard
Dr. LaMarcus, '09, Howard leads by centering student well-being. A CMU Bachelor of Social Work graduate who returned for a master’s in Educational Leadership, he earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. Today, as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at North Carolina Central University, he oversees Student Health and Wellness: the Health Center, Counseling, Accessibility Services, and the Recreation & Wellness Center. His work is strategic and personal—building systems where students can access care, persist, and thrive. A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Howard publishes and presents nationally on access, persistence, and leadership development, translating research into real-world outcomes for students. His career shows what it looks like when equity, data, and compassion drive institutional change.
CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Public Service
The award of distinction for public service is awarded to alumni who broadly serve the public good. Their involvement at the local, state or national level shapes public practices and they are effective change agents. These alumni value diverse perspectives and aim toward a more fair and just society.
Emily Rambo
Emily Rambo, '16, channels “Fire-Up Chips” energy into everyday problem-solving for Michigan families. After her CMU History degree—and a CMU master’s in Political Science—she served in the Michigan House for the 73rd District, tackling everything from WIC/SNAP access to coordinating with the DNR on, yes, difficult geese. A brief stint in the private sector clarified her calling: public service with impact. Since 2022 she has been Programming & Communications Director for the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, supporting physicians who care for our state’s kids—organizing education, advocacy day, and the annual conference. Her proudest work centers youth mental health, suicide prevention, and gun-violence prevention—bringing top experts to Michigan pediatricians. She also serves her community as a Meridian Township Park Commissioner.
CLASS Alumni Award of Distinction for Scholarly or Creative Activity
The distinction for scholarly or creative activity is awarded to alumni who have contributed to our understanding of the human condition. They are experts in their field and share their knowledge widely.
Angeline Boulley
Angeline Boulley, ’88, MPA ’01, is a CMU alumna whose stories have captivated readers around the world. A member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, she devoted much of her career to Indigenous education—culminating as Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Then came her breakout: Firekeeper’s Daughter, a New York Times best-selling YA thriller that weaves Ojibwe culture, community, and coming-of-age into something unforgettable—winner of the Printz Award and the Walter Dean Myers Award, and now headed to Netflix. Her follow-up, Warrior Girl Unearthed, became a bestseller too, cementing her place as a leading voice in contemporary literature. Through craft and advocacy, she opens doors for Native stories and young writers alike.