Tony Andenoro (Chair of the Dean’s Leadership Academy, Director of Community Engagement & Programming), Shania Grant (Ignari), Maria Bustamante Mendoza (Graduating Vanguard), Bailey Mawhir (Graduating Vanguard), Jack Nixon (Graduating Vanguard), Madison Coddington (Ignari), Naelys Luna (Founding Dean & Professor)

 

Honoring Leadership in Action

Florida Atlantic University’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice recently celebrated its inaugural class of graduating Dean’s Leadership Academy Vanguards, as they prepare to step into the next exciting season of their professional lives.

Created to identify learners who ‘lead from the front and are critical to the success of their organizations,’ the Limen ad Maiora “Threshold to Greater Things” themed event, held in the S.E. Wimberly Library University Board Room, honored the individual journeys of each Vanguard while highlighting the meaningful, real-world impact their leadership will have on the communities they serve. The celebration also recognized the Ignari members of the cohort, serving as mentors who ‘ignite the flame,’ in this case, the passion for leadership through their continued growth, dedication, and emerging leadership.

“There are moments in higher education when you are reminded why this work matters,” said Dr. Tony Andenoro, Director of Community Engagement and Programming, who led the event. “Walking alongside the inaugural Vanguards has been one of those moments—watching purpose awaken, confidence deepen, and leadership emerge in ways that give me tremendous hope for our future.”

 

Tony Andenoro (Chair of Dean’s Leadership Academy, Director of Community Engagement & Programming), Bailey Mahwir (Graduating Vanguard), Bailey Mawhir (Graduating Vanguard), Maria Spadavecchia (Vanguard), Sigal Rubin (Undergraduate Coordinator, Student Success Coordinator, and a Senior Instructor, CCJ), Mika Nikolaou (Vanguard), Shania Grant (Ignari), Maria Bustamante Mendoza (Graduating Vanguard)

 

Celebrating Purpose-Driven Student Leaders

Designed to move leadership from theory to lived experience, the Dean’s Leadership Academy advances student learning by providing real-world opportunities to mentor others and engage with industry leaders, community partners, and policymakers. Through these experiences, students learn to interpret complexity, engage diverse perspectives, and make informed, values-based decisions—accelerating the development of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, complex problem-solving, and moral judgment in ways traditional classrooms alone cannot fully achieve.

 

Recognizing the Impact of Vanguard Graduates

Dr. Naelys Luna, CSWCJ Founding Dean and Founder of the Dean’s Leadership Academy, shared her gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the graduates and reflected on the vision that inspired the Academy. “The Dean’s Leadership Academy began as a vision to introduce the idea of leadership as the willingness to take on responsibility with reflection and integrity,” said Luna. “That vision became reality in January 2026 through the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Tony Andenoro, Rachael Schmidt, and the collective commitment of our faculty, staff, and students. Witnessing our inaugural Vanguards grow into professionals who lead with humility, courage, and compassion has been deeply affirming and reinforces that when purpose guides us, the impact is profound for our students and for the communities they will shape.”

 

A Milestone Moment for Emerging Changemakers

Conceptualized by Dr. Luna in January 2025 and led by Dr. Andenoro, the Dean’s Leadership Academy represents a bold new approach to leadership education within the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. Its inaugural year followed a year-long planning process that began in January 2025, engaging faculty, staff, and students across the College. Students were identified and interviewed in Fall 2025, with the first cohort announced in November 2025.

More than a traditional leadership program, the Dean’s Leadership Academy is a leadership revolution grounded in ethical purpose, reflection, and social innovation. Participants are hand-selected based on their demonstrated impact and collaborative potential, with the guiding aim of developing purpose-driven leaders equipped to navigate complexity, serve their communities, and create meaningful change. By blending academic rigor with immersive, real-world experiences, the Academy prepares students to lead authentically in an increasingly interconnected world.