Honoring Our 2026 Presidential Award Winners
The 2025–2026 academic year marked a defining chapter on the Hilltop, shaped by meaningful achievements and transformative experiences. Across disciplines and communities, students rose to challenges, expanded their academic pursuits and advanced efforts centered on equity, leadership and social impact.
We proudly recognize 10 outstanding Presidential Award recipients who have transformed their St. Edward’s experiences into lasting impact — advancing their own journeys while uplifting others and contributing meaningfully to their communities and beyond.
Alissabella Adame ’26
Criminal Justice
Life on the Hilltop
- Austin Hispanic Bar Association Scholar
- President of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity
- Spiritual Development Coordinator, Bible Study Leader, and Retreat Leader, Campus Ministry
- Hilltop Hospitality Tour Guide
- Internships with law firms, a family court judge, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“These experiences shaped me into a student who values integrity, honesty, commitment, and intentional leadership. I plan to carry all of these qualities into my future legal career.”
A New Chapter Ahead
Adame will pursue her interest in immigration law by attending law school following graduation.
Matthew Leonardo Barrett ’26
Behavioral Neuroscience
Life on the Hilltop
- Moreau Scholar
- Mass Coordinator and Retreat Leader, Campus Ministry
- Planning Committee Member, St. Edward’s 140th Anniversary Celebration
- Resident Assistant, Residence Life
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“I will continue to lead with passion and purpose, stressing the importance of articulating yourself to others, showing empathy, and having respect for one another. We are all unique in our own way, and through the Holy Cross mission, can use this to fuel our drive to love and serve others, no matter the circumstances.”
A New Chapter Ahead
Barrett will pursue a career in pharmacy, guided by his commitment to servant leadership and care for others.
David Luke Callier ’25
Finance
Life on the Hilltop
- Moreau and Martin Scholar
- Chief Financial Officer, Student Government Association
- Resident Assistant, Residence Life
- Holy Cross Ambassador, The Holy Cross Institute
- Volunteer, Holy Cross Convocation; Austin City Limits (Austin Parks Foundation); South by Southwest
- Commercial Banking Intern, Comerica Bank
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“Through my Holy Cross education, I have learned that growth begins with courage and is sustained through community. Being part of something bigger and helping others do the same has shaped who I am today. I will carry the Holy Cross values of educating hearts and minds, being family, bringing hope, and building respect with me for the rest of my life and apply them in all communities I continue to take part in.”
A New Chapter Ahead
Callier currently serves as a Commercial Banking Associate at Comerica Bank and will continue building his career in finance while developing as a leader in the industry.
Maxwell Hoelker ’26
English Literature
Life on the Hilltop
- Moreau and Martin Scholar
- Senator, Student Government Association
- Copy Editor, Hilltop Views and Sorin Oak Review
- Office Assistant, Campus Ministry
- Spring Break Service Trip Participant, Phoenix, Arizona (supporting unhoused communities)
- Big Event Volunteer
- Study Abroad Participant; achieved N4 level on the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“I believe with my whole heart that I have made good on this promise to myself, and that these experiences of scholarship, leadership, and service have molded me into the man I am today. My experiences have certainly informed who I am today, but I would go so far as to say that my experiences have become a part of me; I am the sum of my experiences here at St. Edward’s, and I am proud of who I have become.”
A New Chapter Ahead
Hoelker plans to pursue professional opportunities in Japan following graduation, building on his academic and linguistic interests.
Jake Darius Louk ’26
Business Administration
Life on the Hilltop
- Martin and Blue and Gold Scholar
- President, Beta Gamma Sigma
- Student Ambassador, Bill Munday School of Business
- Junior Business Student of the Year
- Master Planning Operations Intern, St. Edward’s University
- Proof of Insurance Intern, Marsh McLennan
- Volunteer, Wild Basin, Zilker Botanical Garden, Big Event, and The Huddle
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“Throughout my college journey, I learned to embrace the partial, the unfinished. The mystery became less about the unknown itself and more about how I chose to let the search shape me more than the answer. Allowing myself to look through this lens taught me humility, being humble enough to know I did not have all the answers, but strong enough not to surrender. That was my answer, my experience at St. Edward’s; it was progress, it was incremental, but it pushed me to keep expanding my search.”
A New Chapter Ahead
After graduation, Louk will join Austin-based software development company Accurent as an Operations Analyst.
Anapaula Martinez ’26
Psychology
Life on the Hilltop
- President, Hooves (Helping Others Out Volunteering Every Saturday)
- Resident Assistant, St. Andre Apartments
- Research Assistant, ADHD and caffeine consumption study (Qualtrics-based research and literature review)
- Hooves Service Award Recipient
- Volunteer, Central Texas Food Bank; Phoenix Spring Break Service Trip
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“I have learned how to give myself grace and extend that compassion to others. I came to understand that scholarship, leadership, and service are truly meaningful when grounded or rooted in compassion and care.”
A New Chapter Ahead
After graduation, Martinez will spend the summer traveling before exploring post-graduate opportunities and determining her next professional steps.
Kristy Nyagaka ’26
Business Administration
Life on the Hilltop
- Transfer Student; Associate of Science, Austin Community College
- President, Hilltop American Marketing Association
- Service Break Experience Leader, Campus Ministry
- Board Member, Black Student Alliance
- Resident Assistant, Maryhill and Hilltopper Heights Community
- Human Resources Intern, The Long Center for the Performing Arts
- Operations Intern, St. Edward’s Athletic Department
- Volunteer, Big Event and Special Olympics
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“I choose this life because I love serving others and my community. Through leadership, service, and scholarship, I have grown into someone who leads with faith, serves with intention, and pursues education as a means to uplift others.”
A New Chapter Ahead
Nyagaka plans to apply to graduate programs in business while also pursuing professional opportunities in project management.
Arianna Marie Medina Polanco ’26
Behavioral Neuroscience
Life on the Hilltop
- Martin Scholar
- Vice President, American Medical Student Association
- Bible Study Leader
- Retreat Leader and Faith and Culture Leader, Campus Ministry
- Honors Mentor, Honors Program
- International Student Mentor, International Student Services
- Teaching Assistant, General Biology Laboratory
- Summer Intern, Developmental Science, Yale School of Medicine
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“Altogether, my experiences throughout these four years of college have molded me and shaped me in many ways from a leadership, service, and academic perspective. There is still so much growth that I hope to achieve as I continue to develop personally, professionally, and spiritually, but I am leaving St. Edward’s University feeling very grateful for starting to shape me into who I aspire to be.”
A New Chapter Ahead
After graduation, Medina will participate in a research program at the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University, focusing on culturally responsive behavioral interventions for Latino families affected by autism.
Hannah Simpson ’25
Biology
Life on the Hilltop
- 2025 Fall Commencement Undergraduate Speaker
- President’s Distinguished Scholarship Recipient
- Volunteer, Texas Oncology and Dell Children’s Hospital (Regarding Cancer program)
- Goalkeeper, St. Edward’s Women’s Soccer Team
- Co-author, “Characterization of pectinase-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae UCDFST 09-448 and its effects on cull peach fermentation,” Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“Through the hardships I witnessed, from family troubles to giving up soccer, I have developed exceptional leadership skills and have learned the value in persistence, especially through adverse times. Furthermore, my experience in healthcare settings has informed my primary purpose in pursuing a career in medicine, which is to bridge the gap between patient and physician to create an environment of trust, honesty, compassion, and empathy.”
A New Chapter Ahead
After graduation, Simpson will attend the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston in Fall 2026.
Justin Treviño ’26
Video Game Development and User Experience Design
Life on the Hilltop
- First-Generation College Student
- Vice President, Student Government Association
- Co-author of CAMP Day resolution, raising over $300,000 for the former College Assistance Migrant Program
- Engagement Coordinator/Facilitator, CAMP
- Campus Equity Educator, Student Belonging and Inclusive Excellence
- Orientation Leader
- Associate Director, Big Event
- Teaching Intern, Breakthrough Collaborative (Sacramento, CA)
Lessons That Extend Beyond St. Edward’s
“My mentors and leadership experiences at St. Edward’s University has helped to shape me and have given me opportunities to learn, fail, and grow. My education transformed me into a person who can lead others and leave a legacy for others to follow. I am leaving St. Edward’s with a lifelong commitment to build communities and create future leaders.”
A New Chapter Ahead
After graduation, Treviño will pursue a Master’s in Higher Education in Student Affairs and Administration at the University of Southern California.
