Jahmarley Vivens ’26 and Sonalini Sapra were recognized for their work in strengthening Guilford's community in the classroom and beyond.
A Guilford student and a faculty member were honored for their service to the College as part of a multi-campus celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Jahmarley Vivens ’26, a business major from Miami, and Sonalini Sapra, the Associate Director for Guilford’s Center for Principled Problem Solving and Excellence in Teaching, were recognized at the 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Jan. 24 at UNCG.
Jahmarley was cited for his leadership at Guilford and for trying to bring students together. He says he kept to himself as a first year student last year, but made a commitment to be more active in student life over the summer. “A lot of students are still trying to come back (socially) from the pandemic and I was one of them,” he says. “I just said to myself, ‘I’m going to get out and try to change myself, try to change the campus.’”
Jahmarley is involved in several programs at Guilford. He’s the marketing chair for the Guilford Student Body Association, leading many efforts to bring students together through campus events. He’s also active in the Quaker Leadership Scholarship Program and is a Bonner scholar.
Terra Roane, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, nominated Jahmarley for the award. “Jah has demonstrated his commitment to humanity while serving as a new resident advisor and vice president of the African Student Association. He also helps clean up the campus with another club, Brothers Doing Positive, and the Frisbee team. He is truly working hard to make sure we have a great community.”
Sonalini was recognized for her student-focused lessons and inclusivity. Amanda Szabo-Huff, who heads the College’s Ethical Leadership Programming, says Sonalini is constantly “persuading our faculty and staff to rise to meet the needs of our diverse student body.”
“Sonalini has a way of helping others care,” says Amanda. “She's dedicated in the classroom and as an administrator to get us all to think about the needs of our undocumented community members, diverse races and religions, genders and economic classes. She exemplifies the deepest respect for others and what we can be together.”