Nadiya BeCoats, a student in the University of Vermont College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the university’s 2026 Keith M. Miser Leadership Award in recognition of her compassionate, sustained leadership and deep commitment to community care at the University of Vermont.

BeCoats designed her own major in Community Health and Wellbeing with a minor in Childhood Studies, shaping an academic path that mirrors her passion for food justice, youth mentorship, and intercultural connection. Across her four years at UVM, she has emerged as a leader whose impact is felt both on campus and throughout the broader Burlington community.

Since 2023, BeCoats has served as the undergraduate director of Rally Cat’s Cupboard, UVM’s on‑campus food pantry. In this role, she has dedicated countless hours to addressing food insecurity with an emphasis on accessibility, sustainability, and dignity. More than providing food, she has helped create a welcoming space where the entire Catamount community feels supported and respected.

Her leadership extends beyond the Cupboard. BeCoats has been deeply involved with the DREAM Program as a youth mentor for all four years, supporting local youth from low‑income and refugee communities. She also organized opportunities for DREAM students to engage with campus spaces such as the Mosaic Intercultural Center, helping build bridges between UVM and the wider community.

BeCoats has additionally served in leadership roles with the Black Student Union, contributed to community‑based research through the Catamount Community Schools Collaborative, and participated in food systems internships and research funded by a SURF grant. Her work reflects a leadership philosophy rooted in kindness and consistency.

Through her unwavering dedication to service and her ability to lead with empathy, BeCoats exemplifies the values of the Keith M. Miser Leadership Award and leaves a legacy of connection and community at UVM.