Four soon-to-be Southern graduates have earned this year’s Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award, recognizing their dedication to community service, academic excellence, and campus involvement.
Each year, 12 seniors are chosen by the four Connecticut State Universities – four each from Southern and Central, and two each from Eastern and Western. The Barnard Award is considered among the university’s most prestigious student awards, with criteria including a 3.7 GPA or better and significant participation in university and/or community life.
Meet this year’s scholars:
Stephanie Allis
Hometown: North Branford, Conn.
Degree: B.S. in social work and sociology, with a concentration in criminology and criminal justice
A first-generation college student and single mother of six children with a deep commitment to service, Stephanie Allis has experienced both foster care and foster parenting. She began her college education later than many of her peers, balancing coursework alongside parenting, employment, and caregiving responsibilities. “My path to higher education has been anything but linear,” she said.
Allis transferred to Southern in 2023 to pursue a double major in social work and sociology, with a concentration in criminology and criminal justice. Shortly after transferring, she experienced several personal setbacks, including family losses and serious health issues, but she navigated these challenges and continued to succeed.
Academically, she has excelled, earning a place on the Dean’s List and President’s List and receiving awards for academic distinction. Her work experience and community activities share a common thread of engagement with and service to others.
At Southern, Allis’ campus activities have also centered around supporting others, such as helping with a food drive, a peer support group, and a community need project with the New Haven Pride Center.
“In my experience, her work at the undergraduate level is of a higher quality than most graduate students I have had over 30 years of teaching,” wrote Social Work Professor Stephen Monroe Tomczak of Allis, adding that “she has an unusual dedication and commitment to the values and ethics of the profession. . . . by ‘walking the walk’ through community involvement.”
After graduating, Allis plans to enroll in a master’s program in social work and a Juris Doctor program in family law. Her ultimate goal is to become an advocate for foster children in Connecticut. “I am driven by a desire to ensure that vulnerable populations are not only protected, but heard, respected, and supported with dignity,” Allis said.
Hannah Ashiru
Hometown: Waterbury, Conn.
Degree: B.S. in chemistry, with a concentration in biochemistry
When Hannah Ashiru started college, like many students she was motivated by curiosity and a desire to grow. But the more experiences she encountered along the way – whether it be tutoring or presenting her research at a symposium – she began to view her growth differently. She began to see that she could actually make a contribution to something larger than herself and make a difference for someone else.
As a chemistry tutor, she has coached students in effective study strategies and supported demanding STEM coursework. Beyond campus, she serves on the Safe Haven Junior Board, contributing to volunteer training and fundraising for a domestic violence advocacy organization.
Enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (4+1) Program, she is currently in the second semester of a four-semester research project, a rigorous commitment that entails about nine hours per week of supervised laboratory work and sustained scientific writing and documentation.
Before her senior research at Southern, Ashiru was an Undergraduate Pre-Med Research Fellow at Hartford Hospital, where she investigated the potential adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in surgical patients.
She has received a number of awards and scholarships for academic excellence.
Ericka C. Barnes, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, wrote, “Hannah is the type of senior chemistry student that chemistry professors dream of: capable, dependable, meticulous, and genuinely excited by the process of discovery,” adding, “She is among the strongest students I have taught in my 15 years of employment at SCSU.”
Beyond graduation, Ashiru hopes to pursue a career in medicine, having learned through her research of the gaps that exist in how women’s health, particularly gynecological diseases, are researched. “I no longer approach my academic journey as just preparation for a future career,” she said. “I now see my journey as a commitment to contributing to a field that demands dedication, intellectual rigor, and responsibility.”
Paul Concordia
Hometown: Norwalk, Conn.
Degree: B.S. in social work, minor in sociology
For Paul Concordia, the path to higher education was not linear — but it has been shaped by resilience, service, and a commitment to helping others navigate the challenges he once faced.
Graduating from Southern with a 3.94 GPA, Concordia has built a reputation as a compassionate leader and advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorder, and mental health challenges.
For more than seven years, Concordia has worked in the Bridgeport community through the Recovery Network of Programs. Beginning as a recovery support specialist, he advanced to a supervisory role and now serves as a peer support coordinator. In that position, he manages a caseload while mentoring a team of recovery support specialists and helping individuals reconnect with housing, treatment, employment, and family support systems.
His fluency in Spanish and French has strengthened his ability to build trust and reduce barriers for those seeking help. Concordia’s professional experience has also informed his academic work, bringing real-world perspective to classroom discussions on ethics, policy, and social systems.
“Paul brings a rare integration of intellectual rigor and grounded compassion to his work,” said Joy Jegede, assistant professor in the School of Social Work. “His commitment to social work is not abstract but deeply practiced.”
Concordia’s impact extends beyond his professional role. He volunteers extensively within the recovery community, mentors individuals navigating substance use challenges, and supports peers within his academic cohort as they prepare for careers in social work.
A father of three, Concordia says his education has been driven by a desire to strengthen the systems that support individuals and families facing adversity.
“I view education not simply as a personal achievement, but as a responsibility,” Concordia said. “One that equips me to serve my family, my community, and the systems that shape our collective well-being.”
Heather Gaydowen
Hometown: Wallingford, Conn.
Degree: B.S. in psychology, minors in film studies and honors transdisciplinary studies
When Heather Gaydowen arrived at Southern Connecticut State University, she didn’t expect to become a researcher, campus leader, and mentor. But by saying yes to new opportunities, she discovered a passion for research and community building that would shape her college experience.
A member of the Honors College, Gaydowen has distinguished herself academically and as a campus leader, graduating with a 3.98 GPA and a perfect 4.00 GPA in her psychology major.
Her path into research began early at Southern when she joined the Stress, Anxiety, and Well-Being (SAW) Laboratory led by Associate Professor Christopher Budnick. What began as a research assistant position soon evolved into a leadership role. By 2025, Gaydowen had advanced to lab manager, mentoring fellow undergraduate researchers and guiding projects from initial research questions through data analysis and conference presentation.
Through her work in the lab, Gaydowen has presented multiple conference posters and secured more than $7,300 in competitive research funding. Her honors thesis explored maladaptive daydreaming and its implications in workplace settings, reflecting a broader interest in improving employee well-being and advancing equity in organizational environments.
“Heather is one of the most capable and dependable undergraduate researchers I have supervised,” Budnick said. “Her ability to combine creativity, methodological rigor, and a genuine concern for employee well-being and equity is particularly notable.”
Outside the lab, Gaydowen has strengthened student engagement across campus. She serves as president of both the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology students. Under her leadership, membership in the Psychology Club grew significantly, and the organization earned Southern’s Outstanding Student Organization of the Year Award in 2025.
She also works as a senior commuter assistant in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development, helping commuter students connect with campus resources and community.
After graduating, Gaydowen plans to pursue a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology, continuing research focused on occupational health and workplace equity.
“My goal is to use everything I’ve learned to become the professor, leader, and person that my younger self would be proud of,” Gaydowen said.
