UA Alumni Association names 5 Under 35 Award honorees

The University of Akron Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of the Eighth Annual 5 Under 35 Awards, which honor five exceptional young alumni whose professional achievements and community impact exemplify the spirit of The University of Akron (UA). Established in 2018, the awards recognize alumni under the age of 35 who are making meaningful contributions in their fields and communities.

The five honorees are:

• Moriah Cheatham Williams '19
  Juris Doctor; attorney with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Akron office
• Mario Micale '17
  B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications; founder and principal of Narrative Digital Media
• Jessica Quartermaine '14
  B.S. in Biomedical Engineering; senior project manager and scrum master at Revvity
• Dr. Eman Tadros '19
  Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision - Marriage and Family Therapy; assistant professor at Syracuse University
• Erik Zito '16
  B.A. in Psychology; manager, change management, at KPMG

The 2026 5 Under 35 Awards event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union on The University of Akron campus.

The event is co-hosted with the University Ambassadors student organization. University Ambassadors partner with academic and administrative offices to promote and represent the University at special events with current and prospective students, alumni, donors, government officials and friends of UA.

The 5 Under 35 Awards ceremony is a distinctive open-forum event that brings together UA student leaders, faculty, staff, and the honorees' families and friends. Through moderated conversation, honorees share their personal journeys, professional insights, and lessons learned, offering inspiration and practical advice to current UA students.

This year's call for nominations generated more than 40 outstanding applicants. After thoughtful review, the selection committee identified five honorees who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement, community engagement, and a continued commitment to The University of Akron.

"Each year, the 5 Under 35 Awards celebrate alumni who reflect the very best of The University of Akron: driven, engaged, and prepared to lead," said Willy Kollman, vice president of university engagement and executive director of The University of Akron Alumni Association. "This year's honorees showcase the diverse academic paths and career outcomes made possible at UA, whether as undergraduate or graduate students or as juris doctor candidates, and highlight our shared commitment to educating service-minded leaders who are ready to make a difference in the world."

For additional information about the event and the honorees, visit https://www.uakron.edu/alumni/events.

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