The Mary Jean Simpson Award is presented to the senior student who best exemplifies the qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship. It is named in honor of Mary Jean Simpson who exemplified these qualities throughout her professional career, including as UVM’s third Dean of Women (1938–1955) and as Bill Clerk to the United States Senate (1926–1933). This year’s recipient is Magdalena Sorrentino (she/her). 

Sorrentino is an Elementary Education major with a minor for dual-certification in Education for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and a concentration in English. Graduating with 4.0 GPA, Sorrentino attributes her academic achievements to the College of Education and Social Services’ embracing of John Dewey’s perspective around the interconnectedness of learning and life. In times of struggle, she reminded herself that the goal ‘was to embrace the learning process” and became an active participant in her education. 

After learning about the College’s academic goals and UVM’s Our Common Ground as a prospective student, Sorrentino soon understood that being a part of the UVM community requires active participation in the construction of a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society. Throughout her years on campus, contributing to this legacy has been her focus. Sorrentino has served on the CESS Student Advisory Board for four years holding the Chair and Facilitator role for the last two years. She is the CESS Student Director for Strategic Initiatives, a member of the Nordic Ski team, the ESL Club, UVM Mortar Board Honor Society, was on the Dean’s List every semester of her college career, received the UVM Presidential Scholarship, and was appointed by the Provost to serve on the CESS Dean’s search committee. Sorrentino’s leadership has been described as purposeful and transformational, and that she is respectful, relationally, and systematically.   

Beyond her campus involvement, Maggie has worked full-time and part-time jobs throughout her college career; she founded and ran “Beading the Stigma,’ an organization that raises awareness around mental health and suicidality; through the Fletcher Free Library, she developed a 10-week summer STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) program to be used in local parts in the Burlington Community; and served as a coach for the Vermont Special Olympics. 

Reflecting on her UVM experience Maggie says, “A UVM education is transformative. Inspired and nourished by professors, peers, coursework, community service, and research, I have become a changemaker, advocate, and lifelong learner.”