A Look Back at the Fall 2025 Semester with the Kearns Center’s Featured Photos

Annual events, celebrations and academic achievements were all part of the Fall 2025 semester at the David T. Kearns Center.

By
Alexa Olson
Published
December 31, 2025
A collage of photos from various events.

The fall 2025 semester was filled with moments of impact and growth with the center seeing a major increase in the numbers of students coming through its doors. The Kearns Center held 27 different events and workshops throughout the semester, seeing more students attend than in years prior.

The reinstatement of CASC 145 in the fall semester was also a huge driver of engagement as new students enjoyed attending workshops and coming to the center to meet with advisors, use the computer lab or chat with friends in the living room.

Here is a look back at all the featured photos we posted on our website this semester, including a few more that were too good not to share!

September 2025

Kearns Kicks-Off the Semester

In September, the Kearns Center kicked things off with the Kearns Kick-off. Students were able to come to the center and learn more about the programs and events the Kearns Center had planned for the semester.

Two students smile as they use a kiosk to sign in.
Two students sign into the Kearns Center, September 2025. Photo: Alexa Olson, University of Rochester
A collage of four student images on a graphic sign.
The David T. Kearns Center was proud to have four students working as program assistants during the semester. Austin, Alex, Janai, and Khia worked the front desk in the fall.
A view of a room full of people facing towards a presentation.
Twenty three students were inducted into the Student Support Services Program in the fall. The SSS induction ceremony was held on September 23, 2025, in Feldman Ballroom. Photo: Austin Okoase, University of Rochester
A person speaking from behind a podium.
SSS Scholar Janelly Andrade-Gonzales speaks at the SSS Induction Ceremony about her experiences in the program. Photo: Austin Okoase, University of Rochester

October 2025

Kearns Workshops a Success

In October, the Kearns Center hosted several events including a financial literacy event and a Kearns Living Room takeover.

Students sitting at a long table listening.
A student listens to a presentation about financial literacy in the Kearns Center classroom. October 21, 2025. Photo: Austin Okoase, University of Rochester

November 2025

First-Gen Week 2025

The David T. Kearns Center along with several campus partners hosted a total of five First-Gen Week events, with nearly 300 total students attending. The Kearns Center brought Dr. Reggie Walker, Director of EOP at Rider University, to campus as the 2025 First-Gen Week Featured Speaker.

Dr. Walker delivered an impactful address titled: ‘First But Not Last: Rewriting the Narrative for First-Gen Students,’ which talked about the journey of first-gen students who carry the pressure of being the first in their family to obtain a college degree while ensuring they are leaving an impact that won’t make them the last. This experience was one of empowerment that aimed to help students see a degree as the first of many life-changing accomplishments and experiences they will have.

A person standing outside on a sunny day smiling at the camera.
Dr. Reggie Walker poses for a photo in front of Rush Rhees Library, November 6, 2025. Photo: Alexa Olson, University of Rochester.
Two students wearing black t-shirts stand back to back pointing their thumbs at themselves.
During First-Gen Fun Day, many students came out to pick up their ‘First-Gen Proud’ t-shirts. Photo: Alexa Olson, University of Rochester

Also in November, the Kearns Center’s Pre-College Program hosted the 9th Annual HEOP Fair, welcoming over 20 universities from across New York and 187 students from five area schools, providing students with direct access to college representatives.

December 2025

Third Annual David T. Kearns Center Student Leadership Awards

Six students and one faculty member took home hardware at the 3rd annual Kearns Student Leadership Awards on December 9, 2025. Najla Silmi won the Kearns Resilient Scholar award; Kelsey Faranda won the award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research; Bethsa Vernelus won the Kearns Civic Engagement Award; Professor Liz Tinelli won the First-Gen Champion Award; Komail Mohebbi won the Kearns Student Leadership Award; Khia Williams won the Kearns Staff choice award, and new this year was David T. Kearns Legacy award – given to a student who embodies the legacy of our namesake, David T. Kearns. That award was given to Janai Hodges. “If anything I have done has upheld the legacy of David T. Kearns, then I am incredibly proud,” Hodges said during her acceptance speech.

A group of students holding their awards while smiling at the camera.
Pictured left to right: Williams, Hodges, Faranda, Silmi, Vernelus and Tinelli. Photo: Alexa Olson, University of Rochester