News & Events

June 4, 2026

The Moynihan Center at CCNY hosted our annual Spring Reception, bringing together our extraordinary community of thought leaders, practitioners, and emerging civic leaders.

The evening was a wonderful opportunity to welcome our newest cohort of Moynihan Public Scholars and Distinguished Practitioners, while also celebrating the achievements of student fellows who are graduating this spring or have recently earned prestigious honors and scholarships. It was inspiring to see new connections forming among fellows from diverse professional backgrounds, career stages, and perspectives.

We were proud to present three major awards during the event:

Distinguished Fellow Award, Kathryn Gioiosa
This award honors a senior who has demonstrated sustained commitment to the mission and values of the fellowship over their two years in the program. The recipient embodies a genuine calling to public service through intellectual initiative, principled leadership, and thoughtful engagement across differences.

This year’s Distinguished Fellow is Kathryn Gioiosa. Recently named the 2026 Colin Powell School Valedictorian, Kathryn has already established herself as a public service leader. She founded TREEage, a youth‑led climate activism organization that has raised over $900,000, for which  she was named to the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact List. Kathryn was also selected as a Truman Scholar—the only recipient from New York State last year—and completed the AFSCME Union Scholars Program with Harvard’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy. This summer, she will intern in Washington, DC, alongside fellow Truman Scholars. Through her extraordinary achievements and leadership, Kathryn exemplifies the Public Service Fellowship’s mission to cultivate the next generation of civic leaders. 

Distinguished Alumni Award, Daniel Ricci
This award recognizes an alum who has demonstrated a sustained and meaningful commitment to public service since graduation through mentorship, participation in events, and support for current students.

This year’s recipient is Daniel Ricci. After completing his fellowship internship at the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Daniel was hired full‑time and now serves as program manager, data and compliance. Since graduating, he has remained deeply engaged with the fellowship, mentoring students, participating in panels, supporting fellows interning at EDC, and helping open doors for those who follow. Daniel exemplifies the spirit of service and community that defines our program.

Distinguished Mentor Award, Annette Nielsen
This award recognizes a mentor committed to shaping the next generation of public service leaders. This award honors the essential role mentors play in building the Moynihan network, a cross-generational community rooted in service and leadership.

This year's recipient is Annette Nielsen, board member of the Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center. One of the earliest volunteers to serve as a mentor for our undergraduate fellows, Annette has been offering her invaluable guidance to City College students long before our mentorship program officially launched. In addition to providing fellows with advice and support, Annette has opened doors to professional opportunities, connecting her mentees with leaders across public service, nominating them for awards, and helping them secure jobs, including at the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center, where she previously served as executive director. We are also proud to share that both of Annette’s mentees have been named Colin Powell School valedictorians, a tribute to both our fellows’ academic excellence and Annette’s valuable mentorship.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to all who continue to support our mission of strengthening civic spaces and cultivating the next generation of public service leaders. We are excited for the year ahead.