
2025 Outstanding Graduate Awards
Each Fall, we present our Outstanding Graduate Awards to recognizing graduates who exceed expectations by consistently improving their work, accepting feedback, and leading by example for their peers. We wish the awardees and all our graduates great success as they launch or advance their creative careers!
To honor the highest student achievement, Sessions College staff and faculty nominate Outstanding Graduates each year. Below are our 2025 Outstanding Graduate Award recipients, announced October 8, 2025.
Awards Process
Each Outstanding Graduate in this class graduated in the 2024-25 school year. Award recipients were selected by Faculty and staff. Factors include strong body of creative work, excellent academic record, and overall contributions to Sessions College.
Stefanos Dardanos
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
“The 100% online nature of Sessions meant I could study at my own pace and continue working. I always stayed two weeks ahead with my classes, so honestly it was easy for me to function under a different time zone, living in Greece.” Read more
Marissa Sasscer
Associate Degree in Illustration
“Studying online, you can study from anywhere, so I was able to spend more time with my family while in school. Meanwhile, being able to access lectures and discussions online gave me a great deal of flexibility in balancing school with life.” Read more
Emma Thorburn
Associate Degree in Digital Photography
“The best thing about Sessions is how many classes they offer. I took such a wide variety of classes pertaining to photography. It taught me a lot about what I use almost everyday in my photography.” Read more
Kalisha Loeser
Undergraduate Certificate in Graphic Design
“It was nice not having to worry about going to a physical class after working at my full-time job. It’s not always easy to manage work/school life balance.” Read more
Stephen Adair
Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Media
“The teachers are what makes the school. All of my teachers have been great when offering criticism and explaining how to get better and move forward in our profession.” Read more
Jada Broome
Associate Degree in Illustration
“Being able to study at any time or place was very convenient, and it was cool to share classes with people from a variety of different backgrounds. Additionally, it was an affordable option when compared to in-person programs.” Read more
Maura Jean Kelch
Undergraduate Certificate in Web Design
“I liked the community of Sessions and the extra effort they put into making you feel welcome. Having the opportunity to complete my degree online let me continue my education while being home with my kids and working.” Read more
Previous Award Recipients
2020-2024 Outstanding Graduates
2024
Micky Jordan, Graphic Design
Kristin Weidemann, Graphic Design
Ian Richmond, Web Design
Viansa Lozano, Illustration
Sharla Fossen, Digital Photography
Jaclyn Marr, Illustration
Thomas Newhall, Digital Media
2023
Samantha Nelson, Graphic Design
Maria Jose Nunez Bonequi, Illustration
Alexandra Adukeh, Graphic Design
Nicholas Fairman, Digital Media
Haley Stoufer, Digital Photography
Justin Moss, Web Design
Brandi Kambalov, Illustration
Megan Lewis-Reed, Marketing Design
Douglas Gorham, in Digital Photography
William Esque, Graphic Design
2022
Adrienne Schaumann, Illustration
Angelique Shipley, Web Design
Deborah Lefever, Illustration
Dhani Mouttet, Graphic Design
John Olson, Digital Media
Kristy Ren-Hayzlett, Illustration
Kylie Welsh, Graphic Design
Ronald Graham, Digital Photography
2021
Michelle Buck, Advertising Design
James Warren, Digital Photography
Kimberly Udall, Web Design
Kristin McKellar, Graphic Design
Charlotte Sidwell, Illustration
Paige Windus, Digital Photography
Robin Imse, Digital Media
Sruti Rajagopalan, Digital Arts
On On Lao, Graphic Design
Christine Lee, Multimedia Arts
2020
Katherine Butts, Illustration
Rachel Herring, Graphic Design
Kristy Nilsson, Advertising Design
Ted Wales, Web Design
Robin Imse, Illustration
Tanner Watson, Digital Photography
Erin Buonocore, Graphic Design
Hannah Wessel, Graphic Design
Benjamin Glinksky, Web Design
2016-2019 Outstanding Graduates
2019
Christin Rogers, Graphic Design
Lynne Adams, Illustration
Sharon Capps, Digital Photography
Michael Kunz, Digital Arts
Nicole Porata, Web Design
Savannah Dimovski, Advertising Design
2018
Sharon Capps, Graphic Design
Ivan Hunt, Digital Photography
Meka Angoe, Web Design
Cynthia Keith, Advertising Design
Alicia Hernandez, Illustration
2017
Theresa Slater, Graphic Design
Ryan Evans, Digital Photography
Daniel Bardits, Web Design
Paula Carreck-Choin, Graphic Design
Della Schapiro, Web Design
2016
Jessica Somerton, Web Design
Scott Warren, Graphic Design
Kim Schiavone, Illustration
Natasha Gonzales, Web Design
Chris Telford, Graphic Design
Eladia Laines, Illustration