UMSI announces awards for 2026 graduates

At the 2026 commencement ceremony, the University of Michigan School of Information honored four members of the class of 2026 with student awards. 

This year’s undergraduate and graduate program honorees were nominated by staff, faculty and peers. Collectively, they exemplify UMSI’s mission and values. 

Margaret Mann Award

The Margaret Mann Award is the first and oldest student award at UMSI. It was established in 1938 to honor associate professor Margaret Mann upon her retirement. Mann was the first external faculty member hired into the department of library science when it was created in 1926.

Each year, this award goes to one or more students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and professional promise. The Margaret Mann Award recognizes the heritage of UMSI and the deep roots of professional education in the information field at U-M. The award recognizes future promise through evidence of accomplishment at UMSI.

Honoree: Evan Gomish (Master of Science in Information)

Evan has brought intellectual rigor and care to every aspect of their work as an MSI student. Across multiple courses, they have extended foundational concepts into original contributions to the field. In one course, Evan drew upon the Library Reference Model to develop a classification model describing gender and gender identity — a sophisticated project that was both novel and thoughtful.   

Their professional leadership extends outside of the classroom, where they have led the American Library Association’s student chapter at U-M, organized tutoring sessions for MSI students learning programming and represented UMSI at conferences in their field, including the upcoming Michigan Academic Library Association conference.  

As an instructional aide for SI 511 during the first semester the course was offered, Evan showed uncommon care for their peers’ learning. They went beyond the expectations of the role to serve as a mentor to first-year students navigating an unfamiliar curriculum. Evan’s multiple nominators described a student whose academic excellence is matched by their generosity and maturity. Evan is someone who sees the work we do in the classroom as an extension of the work we must do in the world. 

Edmon Low Award

The Class of 1972 established the Edmon Low Award to honor professor Edmon Low upon his retirement. Nominations are solicited from master's students, and the award recipient is chosen by the executive officers of the School of Information Master's Association. Awardees embody the qualities valued by Low: dedication to service, empathy for others, confidence building, industry, interpersonal acuity, responsibility and humor.

Honoree: Ayana Leelasena (Master of Science in Information)

As president of the School of Information Master’s Association, Ayana has been a powerhouse, combining strong leadership and logistical prowess with an amazing sense of humor. Her approach inspires trust. Ayana managed multiple committees within SIMA, coordinated dozens of student-facing events, and forged new and fruitful relationships with computer science student organizations. 

Beyond her accomplishments on paper, all of her nominators mentioned her ability to make people feel seen. Ayana asks how you’re doing and actually means it. She invites first-years into the fold. She takes her role seriously without taking herself too seriously. One nominator wrote, “She’s someone who leads in a way that feels real.”

Ayana’s impact is felt in the culture she has helped create at UMSI. Her contributions to SIMA have not only expanded programming during her presidency, but ensured the sustainability of the organization beyond her tenure. Her ability to balance responsibility with humor and empathy embodies the spirit of the Edmon Low Award.

John L. King Award

To honor the professor who devoted many years to the development of the Bachelor of Science in Information program, UMSI created the John L. King Award in 2015. The award recognizes an outstanding student in the undergraduate program. 

Honoree: Pari Dar (Bachelor of Science in Information)

Pari has made the most of every opportunity at UMSI, while creating new opportunities for fellow students along the way. As former president of the School of Information Bachelor’s Association, she was instrumental in organizing career preparation events, social programming and study sessions. Pari also represented the voices of her peers by serving on the BSI Curriculum Committee and the Dean’s Advisory Board.

As a new transfer student, Pari has not only forged her own path through UMSI, but has been a supportive, guiding presence for peers transferring from other institutions. During National Transfer Student Week, when one of her classmates was invited to be interviewed alongside a mentor of his choice, he chose Pari, the person who had helped make UMSI feel like home. One nominator wrote, “Pari has been a shining example of what a BSI student can accomplish at UMSI.” We know she will continue to shine in all her future endeavors.

Nikki Candelore Roda Student Impact Award

The only award at UMSI named for a student was inspired by an exceptional student, Nikki Candelore Roda.

Roda had a significant impact on the school while she was here, showing leadership and initiative and inspiring her peers. Ultimately, Roda made UMSI a better place to be a student.

The Nikki Candelore Roda Student Impact Award celebrates a student who has shown initiative and dedication to service, influenced the culture and climate of the school in positive ways and been an insightful leader and good ambassador — a student who will leave a lasting legacy. 

Honoree: Kolbe Sussman (Master of Applied Data Science)

Kolbe has transformed what engaged learning looks like for Master of Applied Data Science students, and she is the first MADS student to receive this award. Through her role in the MADS Association, she expanded opportunities for students to participate in client-based projects and programs, building systems and documentation that will ensure this work can continue for years to come. 

Her leadership is energetic, supportive and strategic. Kolbe has consistently worked to make opportunities more visible and accessible to online students. If you’ve seen her name on the MADS Slack channel, you know she is looking out for you — by sharing opportunities, fostering connection and even creating a new system for peer mentorship. 

Sometimes a student’s impact only becomes visible after they graduate. But Kolbe’s nominators emphasize that her impact on the MADS program is seen and felt every day, and they suspect her contributions will continue as an alumna. We will be so lucky if that is the case! 

To watch the commencement ceremony, visit the School of Information’s 2026 graduation archive.