Quinnipiac Students Win Student Leadership Award

Caption: Shannon Flaherty, left, and Jahmil Effend, assistant director of campus life, student centers and student involvement at Quinnipiac University, show off the National Association for Campus Activities Ken Bedini Student Leader Award Flaherty received for her outstanding work as president of the Student Programming Board at Quinnipiac. Contributed photo.

Quinnipiac University senior wins the National Association for Campus Activities’ student leadership award for the Northeast

HAMDEN - Shannon Flaherty, president of the Student Programming Board at Quinnipiac University, was recently awarded the National Association for Campus Activities Ken Bedini Student Leader Award for the Northeast Region. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of the Northeast region’s undergraduate student leaders who continuously make a difference in their institutions.

“I am grateful for this award,” said Flaherty, a senior who is majoring in communications and media studies at Quinnipiac. “I love being the bridge between students and fun campus events that encourage community and interactions with students you might have never seen around campus. I am very honored to receive this award and would not be where I am today without my former adviser Hannah Cranston and all the SPB members who took me under their wing when I was a freshman.”

In addition to the Student Programming Board, Flaherty is involved in many campus activities, including QTHON, a dance marathon that raises funds for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center; Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s honor society; and Quinnipiac Spirit. She also has been a Teletubby performer at ice hockey games and various other sporting events.

“Shannon has dedicated her entire four years at Quinnipiac to getting involved in co-curricular involvement to make a difference for the community. It has been a true honor to watch her grow into a respected student leader on campus,” said Hannah Cranston, associate director of campus life, student centers and student involvement at Quinnipiac.

The programs organized by SPB light up the Quinnipiac community by allowing students to enjoy activities outside of the classroom, said Jahmil Effend, assistant director of campus life, student centers and student involvement.

“I believe that SPB allows students to make a consistent connection with campus. Whether through weekly late-night programs or our many traditions, SPB serves as a vital role in building memories that students can carry with them long past their college years,” said Effend. “This award is a testament to the great work of our students here at Quinnipiac. Shannon being recognized, for me, confirms that we have some of the best student leaders in the Northeast on our programming board.”

Many describe Flaherty of Marshfield, Mass. as a dedicated individual who motivates others to enhance the student experience through leadership, explained Cranston.

“Knowing Shannon for her entire undergraduate career at Quinnipiac has been an honor. Watching students become leaders is such an awarding experience and when those leaders are recognized it’s a cherry on top of the sundae,” Cranston said. “Our work revolves around the development of our students through co-curricular involvement. Students like Shannon keep us motivated as professionals in student affairs. We are lucky to have her at Quinnipiac.”