Emily Muckerheide, a senior majoring in operations and supply chain management at the University of Indianapolis.

Emily was nominated for her work with the UIndy chapter of College mentors for Kids (CMFK), for which she served as president this year. Her chapter pairs approximately 100 children from IPS schools with a similar number of UIndy students who serve as their mentors. Emily oversees the leadership team of 20, who handle logistics for this complex service project, addressing transportation issues, providing nutritious food, and raising funds to cover these and other expenses, such as supplies and activity expenses, and other miscellaneous costs. Emily has led the group through successful fundraisers that secured funding for all necessary expenses to guarantee an effective and thriving program. Fundraising events include online outreach, the Friends & Family Campaigns, The Walk for Kids, and more. Under Emily’s leadership, the chapter promotes mentor appreciation and recognition and has seen an increase in mentor retention rates of about 50%. Additionally, in collaboration with Million Meal Movement, Emily also led a large service project with the children and their mentors, through which they helped prepare and package 1,000 meals for the past two years.

In the words of her nominator, “I know that Emily is truly worthy of this nomination and she would represent this honor well but also carry it throughout her life. I honestly cannot think of a student who better exemplifies the qualities of integrity, commitment to serving those in need, and dedication to fostering the growth and gifts of others.”