Each year, we celebrate 15 of Ringling College of Art and Design’s most outstanding and engaged fourth-year students. Bright and vibrant, bursting with passion and creativity—these students are trailblazing new paths and paving the way for a new generation of creatives. They are both dreamers and doers, making up the colorful core of our transformative campus community.
Each Trustee Scholar exemplifies dedication, originality, brilliance, ambition, and talent in their field of study, as well as service to the College and the community. Faculty from each academic department and representatives from the Office of Student Life nominate two students from the junior class in their areas for consideration as Trustee Scholars for the following year. The Board of Trustees chooses one from each of those categories to be named Trustee Scholar. Two students were selected from Graphic Design this year due to a tie vote.
The College’s annual Trustee Scholar Awards celebration will take place on Friday, November 8, 2024. The event will begin with a reception, followed by a formal ceremony during which each Scholar will be introduced. Scholars will then have the opportunity to share remarks with guests—family, friends, or College faculty and staff—about how they are helping to inspire the new future of art and design.
Meet the 2024-25 Trustee Scholars
HAYLEY KIRK—Business of Art and Design
SIERRA SONBERG—Computer Animation
JENNA OLSON—Creative Writing
OLIVIA DUMAS—Entertainment Design
MICHAELA COWAN—Film
VALERIA GUERRA-GARCÍA—Fine Arts
SHREYA KADUKAR—Game Art
JAYDEN BADILLO—Graphic Design
AVERY FROST—Graphic Design
SKY CHANDLER—Illustration
DIANE LEE—Motion Design
MORGAN SCOTT—Photography and Imaging
VANILOPE TANG—Virtual Reality Development
NOSIPHO VILAKAZI—Visual Studies
CAPRI EASTERDAY—Student Life
The Trustee Scholarship is awarded annually Nominees are required to submit a written statement and a portfolio of their work for the Trustee Scholar Selection Committee, composed of members of the Board of Trustees to review and make a selection.
The winners are selected based on:
- Exceptional creative talent, communication skills, and distinction of mind
- Contributions to the department, College, and/or community
- Leadership, citizenship, mentorship
The nomination process for the 2025-26 Trustee Scholars will begin this spring and the winners will be selected in May. Learn more about the Trustee Scholar Award and see past Scholars and events.