Student Award Winners

Each year the Department of Geography & Environmental present awards to students that show outstanding leadership qualities and academic excellence.

2026 Student Award Winners

Dorn C. McGrath Award

Presented to a Geography Graduate Student in recognition of Scholarly Excellence

Ali Sorrels 
Ali graduated from the University of Denver in 2020, with a BA in International Studies and Public Policy. Her current research with the Department of Geography and the Environment contributes to the longstanding tradition of human–environmental geography. Her master's thesis titled, Subsistence in a Fragmented Landscape and the Promise of Co-Governance, examined the impact of subsistence regulation on Alaskan Native livelihoods and the intersecting politics of species conservation along the Yukon.

Muriel H. Parry Award

Presented to a Geography Senior in recognition for Scholarly Excellence

Bridget Kinnaman
Bridget is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Geography with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. Throughout her time at GW, she has worked as a research assistant studying the impact of mines on local communities and with YouthMappers, contributing to open source mapping efforts of global infrastructure. For her senior capstone, Bridget developed a predictive model to identify optimal locations for urban gardens to combat food insecurity in America's largest cities. After graduation, she will travel to Sweden to conduct research on the clean energy transition.

Robert D. Campbell Prize

Presented to a Geography Senior for outstanding Leadership and Scholarship

Madison Dias
Madison was one of ten DC students awarded a full scholarship to GW through the Steven Joel Trachtenburg Scholarship Program, recognizing leadership in the DC community. During her four years, she participated in the selective Global Bachelor’s Program, completing four study abroad experiences in Belfast, Lisbon, and Rio de Janeiro.

Beyond academics, Madison served as a board member of a local NGO, ConnectDMV, leading a Projects for Change program that empowered DC high school students to create community initiatives. She also volunteers at IONA, teaching cardio kickboxing to seniors, and partnered with CIEE to promote study abroad opportunities on campus.

She is grateful to Dr. Kansanga, Dr. Cullen, and Mr. Hinton for their mentorship.

Carenna Thompson
Carenna will be graduating in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Geography, minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Her research examines the effects of immigrant integration in post-conflict cities, using a case study of Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was awarded the Undergraduate Research Award to conduct interviews in Belfast with immigrants and first-generation residents. Carenna is a member of The Eta Society for Global Affairs and Director of the non-profit, Kesem at GW. She would like to thank the faculty in the department for their support and is grateful for the friendships she has made through studying geography at GW. In Fall 2026, she will begin a Master’s of Urban Spatial Analytics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Thomas Foggin Award

Presented to an Environmental Studies Senior in recognition of Scholarly Excellence

Eli Brown
Eli is an Environmental Studies major, graduating in three years, summa cum laude. Eli's academic work reflects a strong interest in the intersection of environment, policy, and society. While at GW, Eli contributed to campus life as part of That’s That on Sports, a student-run radio show that highlights commentary and discussion on current sports topics. Eli will attend Cornell Law School this fall, where they plan to build on their interests in environmental and public policy. Along the way, Eli has remained a dedicated fan of the Muppets, with a particular appreciation for the Swedish Chef. Eli is honored to receive the Thomas Foggin Award and grateful to the faculty and peers who s

Arabella Freeman
Arabella was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where her interest in human-environment interactions first originated. She began her experience with the Geography & Environment department as a freshman, wanting to study environmental issues but not quite sure where else it would take her. She has since fallen in love with the language of placemaking and the stories urban environments reveal. She is interested in how social identities and geographies of power are produced across space with a focus on environmental justice and health, urban development, and cultural sustainability. Her love for studying human-environment interactions and urban geographies sprouted at her home on the Gulf Coast but has been tended and nurtured by her mentors and classmates within the department. She will be returning home to New Orleans for a gap year prior to graduate school, ultimately pursuing research focused on socio-ecological systems and urban health and development.

Maya Kaplun
Growing up in Rhode Island, Maya witnessed firsthand the impacts of extreme weather and climate-related challenges on coastal ecosystems and communities. Those early experiences sparked her passion for environmental science and a commitment to ensuring that smaller communities have a stronger voice in policy discussions. During her internship on Capitol Hill with Senator Jack Reed, she worked alongside energy and environment staffers to research climate resiliency in the state of Rhode Island. She also engaged directly with constituents from her home state, ensuring their concerns were heard during a historic government shutdown. Maya is currently contributing to the SESTRA Rivers project as a research assistant, developing a governance vulnerability-resilience index to support Alaska’s indigenous communities in the face of climate change. After graduation, she hopes to build a career in environmental governance and policy, contributing to meaningful climate solutions across the world.