Alumni Association Award Winners

Each year the University of North Carolina at Asheville recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the University, their communities, or fields of endeavor. Because of the exemplary nature of their achievements, recipients represent the very best of the UNC Asheville experience and serve as role models for the entire University community. The awards are presented annually during Homecoming. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame. Below are our prestigious 2025 winners:

 

The Pisgah Award for Alumni Achievement

Named in homage to Mount Pisgah, one of the area’s tallest peaks and the campus’ visual center, the Pisgah Award recognizes alumni (degreed or non-degreed) for outstanding achievement in their fields of endeavor.

Tiffany Sen ‘93

Tiffany Sen is the Chief Procurement Officer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she oversees a large-scale operation that ensures one of the world’s most prominent cultural institutions runs proficiently. Her role is vital to the museum’s mission, and Tiffany is deeply passionate about museums as custodians of the world’s collective memory—places that store, protect, and engage with global artistic and cultural heritage.

Tiffany’s career exemplifies the interdisciplinary values of her University of North Carolina Asheville education, where she studied music, social sciences and business courses from 1988 to 1992, graduating with a bespoke arts management degree. She has successfully blended creativity, business acumen, and complex operational problem-solving throughout her career. Before joining The Met in 2017, Tiffany honed her superpowers through leadership roles at the luxury brand LVMH and the fashion company Ann Taylor.

A proud alumna, Tiffany remains connected to her alma mater, recently hosting a group from the university’s career center at The Met. During their visit, she shared her deep gratitude for her time at UNCA, her insights into the industry, and advice on building a personal brand, navigating career paths and refining passion and purpose.

In her spare time, Tiffany plays the flute in a rock and roll band, showcasing the creativity and versatility that have defined both her professional and personal life. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and her enduring commitment to blending art and industry to make a meaningful impact.

Thomas D. Reynolds Alumni Award for Service to the University

Son of the University’s founder and graduate of the Class of 1937, Thomas D. Reynolds spent sixty years as one of the University’s strongest promoters and most active volunteers. This award recognizes one alumnus/a (degreed or non-degreed) each year for exemplary service to UNC Asheville.

Leigh McBride ‘71

Leigh McBride has demonstrated immense pride in her alma mater throughout her life, beginning with her active involvement as a student at UNC Asheville. As a student leader, she participated in student government and even took on the spirited role of the university’s bulldog mascot. Her dedication to UNCA extended into a long and meaningful career in Admissions, where she played a vital role in shaping the university’s community and supporting countless students in their educational journeys.

Beyond her professional contributions, Leigh is an avid supporter of Bulldog athletics and can often be found cheering at basketball games, embodying her unwavering school spirit. As an alumna, Leigh has given back to the university in numerous ways, including serving on the Alumni Association’s board of directors (formerly the Alumni Council) during two impactful terms in the 1970s and 1990s. She is also a committed financial supporter, having pledged a planned gift to establish an athletic scholarship, ensuring her legacy will continue to benefit future generations of student-athletes. Leigh’s lifelong dedication to UNCA exemplifies the enduring bond between alumni and their alma mater.

Mullen-James Social Justice & Equity Impact Award

Established in 2022, this award is given annually to a member of the UNCA Community in honor of Dr. Dee and Dr. Charles James, and Dr. Dolly Jenkins-Mullen, and Dr. Dwight Mullen. These four professors  dedicated their personal and professional careers to social justice, equity, and inclusion within their fields. The award is presented to those alumni, students, or initiatives in which, through their actions, advocacy, and/or collaborative partnerships have demonstrated a true commitment and dedication to systems change work either at the University or broader community level.

Lakesha McDay ‘08

Lakesha McDay ’08 has dedicated her career to enriching communities across North Carolina through leadership roles that advance social justice, equity, and health outcomes. She currently serves as president of The Moriah Group. Previously, Lakesha held senior leadership positions at the New Hanover Community Endowment, Mission Health, Dogwood Health Trust, and UNC Asheville. She has focused her career on addressing the social determinants of health and fostering sustainable improvements in community well-being. As the Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Director at Dogwood Health Trust, she spearheaded initiatives to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities, furthering her commitment to societal equity.

Beyond her professional work, Lakesha is deeply engaged in her community. She has served on the boards of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Delta House Life Development of Asheville, Carolina Day School, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, and the YMCA of Western North Carolina. Her service reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities. Lakesha exemplifies the values of the Mullen-James legacy, making tangible progress toward achieving societal equity through her accomplished career and impactful community involvement.

 

Francine M. Delany Alumni Award for Service to the Community

A member of the class of 1966, the University’s first baccalaureate class, and the University’s first African-American graduate, Francine contributed a lifetime of service to Asheville and the surrounding community in support of childhood education. This award recognizes one alumnus/a (degreed or non-degreed) for exemplary service to their community, state, or nation.

Darlena Moore ‘85

Darlena Moore ’85 is president of Mountain Girl Initiative, a foundation for funding scholarships for students involved in the foster care system. Moore found herself in foster care as an older teen after her mother’s death, and she has continually sought to support youth in that situation. Her efforts are also in honor of her beloved foster parents, Dick and Mary Gilbert. Darlena enjoyed a successful career in marketing and created the Gilbert Scholarship initially with the proceeds from a granola business. She now focuses her efforts on fundraising to provide scholarships for foster care youth to help them achieve their college dreams.

 

Roy A. Taylor Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna of the Year Award

Named in honor of the University’s first valedictorian, founder of its first Alumni Association, and distinguished member of the United States Congress, the Roy A. Taylor Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna Award is the highest award given to an alumnus/a and recognizes those graduates of UNC Asheville and its predecessor colleges for extraordinary achievement.

Denise Stredrick ‘92

Dr. Denise Stredrick is the Health Scientist Administrator at the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Disease Prevention.  In this role, she coordinates collaborative efforts with NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to enhance the NIH portfolio on prevention research. Prior to joining the ODP, Dr. Stredrick served as the Acting Director in the Office of Science Policy and Analysis (OSPA) at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and as the Branch Chief of the Science Policy and Planning Branch within OSPA. As Acting Director of OSPA, she led NIDCR’s science policy, strategic planning, legislative affairs, analyses, and stakeholder outreach. Before NIDCR, Dr. Stredrick worked as a program officer in the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health where she managed policy and legislative activities and led the effort to develop the 2019–2023 Trans-NIH Strategic Plan for Women’s Health Research. Dr. Stredrick has guided the development of strategic plans for other NIH ICs and worked as a scientific review officer for the National Cancer Institute.