Building Connections & Bridging Differences Awards

Annual Awards 

The BCBD focus has been towards raising awareness about the Initiative and how it is congruent with the mission, vision and values of W&M. This entails highlighting where these are already active on campus. 

The BCBD team developed awards to recognize individuals and groups on campus who embrace and promote the initiative's mission. These awards are presented annually to honor individuals and teams who exemplify a commitment to building a community that fosters deep human connection, engages diverse perspectives and seeks wisdom in bridging differences.  The awards are presented in four categories: faculty, staff, student and group. This year’s awards include two winners in the group category.

The winners for 2026 are:

• Faculty: Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, Thomasina E. Jordan Director of the American Indian Research Center
• Staff: LaShawnna Hill, administrative staff assistant for Facilities Management
• Student: Ellie Moser ’27
• Group: Take Back the Night and Care Support Services

The awardees will be honored at this year’s Faculty & Staff Recognition & Connection event, scheduled for Aug. 28.

"The four recipients of the 2025-26 BCBD award exemplify the compassion, empathy, and courage needed to bridge differences and build meaningful connections,” said Christopher Renjilian, associate vice president for health and wellness and chair of the BCBD committee. “Their commitment to fostering understanding and belonging enriches our entire university community and serves as a model for us all."

Faculty

According to a nominator, Moretti-Langholz is dedicated to advancing understanding of William & Mary’s shared history and centering Indigenous voices and perspectives. She co-authored a book on the history of Indigenous people at the university, and she has helped curate the university’s American Indian art collection. She also has helped build bridges among Indigenous cultures on campus by encouraging collaboration, recognition and mutual support.

“Her work exemplifies empathy in action - grounded in listening, respect and a genuine commitment to inclusion — making her a truly deserving recipient of this honor,” wrote a nominator.

Staff

As the face of the operations team in Facilities Operations, Hill manages administrative needs across multiple departments and sets the standard for competence. But what really sets her apart is her “profound attentiveness to others,” according to a nominator. She regularly sends thoughtful notes to colleagues and celebrates their milestones. She volunteers in the broader community and regularly attends campus events. She is a descendant of the Williamsburg Bray School and has participated in four of their events. She also joins their monthly Bray School stories on Zoom as often as possible.

“She does not just acknowledge difference — she steps toward it with curiosity and empathy,” wrote a nominator. “LaShawnna makes William & Mary a more human place, and she deserves this recognition deeply.”

Student

As the founder and president of the Italian Club on campus, Moser brings together students who are Italian or have an interest in Italy. She is also a founding member of the W&M NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) club and serves as a Peer Health Educator. In addition she volunteers at the Williamsburg House of Mercy, which serves people experiencing homelessness. She does all this while pursuing psychological research, with an aim to attend medical school and one day become a psychiatrist.

“She truly is an incredible member of the W&M community and has been a key part of its success around students’ mental health and inclusion,” wrote a nominator.

Group

A dedicated student committee put together this year’s Take Back the Night event at William & Mary to raise awareness about sexual violence and support survivors. The group brought together numerous campus and community partners and created opportunities for connection, including a march, resource fair and survivor speak-out. The April 2026 event provided an opportunity for the campus community to listen and engage with varying perspectives.

“The TBTN committee’s leadership demonstrated what it means to bridge differences through compassion, action and a commitment to belonging for all,” wrote a nominator.

Care Support Services provides assistance to students throughout their time at William & Mary. Through ongoing engagement, the team guides students through challenges while also celebrating milestones in growth and achievement. Each year, the team manages and triages more than 1,200 care concerns in close partnership with other campus partners, and an on-call system provides after-hours crisis response.

“For their transformative influence, tireless advocacy, and profound commitment to student wellbeing and retention, Care Support Services stands as a truly deserving recipient of the Building Connections and Bridging Differences award,” wrote a nominator.