ACUI is the professional home to thousands of campus community builders around the world, focused on the critical work within college unions and student activities. UMD is a member of Region V, which encompasses seven U.S. states and one Canadian province.
The Undergraduate Student of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding student within the Region who has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, made significant contributions to their home campus, and serves as a role model for their peers.
A senior in the College for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Dakota currently serves as the leadership student coordinator in the Kirby Student Center, a position he has held for the past three years. In that time, he has contributed greatly to leadership efforts, including the successful creation and launch of a new leadership development program this fall: Bulldogs United in Leadership Development. In this role, he has also been vital to the operations of UMD’s Omicron Delta Kappa Circle.
Dakota’s many contributions to UMD are evident through his numerous leadership roles. Beyond the Kirby Student Center, he advocates for students as the Speaker of Congress for the Student Government Association and serves as a role model for student involvement and academic excellence as a member of University Honors. Furthermore, he has shown dedication to welcoming new students and fostering early success, serving as an orientation leader with the Bulldog Resource Center, a Bulldog Welcome Week volunteer with Kirby, and a Learning in Community peer leader with the Academic Writing & Learning Center.
“In all that he does, Dakota truly exemplifies the ACUI values of Community, Inclusion, Learning, and Innovation,” Brenna Hucka, assistant director of student activities and leadership in the Kirby Student Center, said. “His consistent dedication to excellence and profound impact on campus life contribute to Kirby’s mission of creating community at the heart of campus. We are so proud of his accomplishments.”
Dakota was recognized along with other Region V award recipients at the 2025 ACUI Region V Awards Ceremony during the Regional Conference on November 11, 2025.