by Choya Randolph, M.F.A. ’18

For over a decade, the First Year Experience Committee has been acknowledging first-year students who exhibit academic excellence, community and campus involvement, and strength in leadership. This year, they selected first-year student Anastasia Dakis.

Dakis is an avid artist whose love for drawing led her to major in neuroscience and minor in studio art for therapy and talent development. She is a recipient of several Adelphi scholarships, including the Presidential Scholarship. Outside of academics, Dakis is extensively involved on and off campus. She is a commuter senator for the Student Government Association, serves on the After Dark and Green committees, and has volunteered for veterans hospitals, soup kitchens and underserved schools through the First-Year Community Action Program. Next year she’ll be a resident assistant.

Sarah Eltabib, lecturer in General Studies, co-chairs the First Year Experience Committee with Jennifer Walsh, senior coordinator of academic services. “What we found most remarkable about [Dakis] was her connection to her culture and her maturity in conversation,” Eltabib said.

For three years, Dakis has been a Sunday school teacher. Last year, she was elected president of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association chapter on Long Island.

President Christine M. Riordan presented Dakis with her award during Professor Joshua Kaye’s Critical Thinking Skills class in Hagedorn Hall on April 10. “She has a humble confidence and maturity that is rarely seen in someone her age,” Dr. Riordan said.

“Having President Riordan personally deliver the Outstanding First-Year Student Award was an extreme honor,” said Dakis. “Having awards that recognize all the great work Adelphi’s student leaders do motivates the student body to increase their involvement…this involvement is essential to continue making the college experience at Adelphi exceptional.”