East Stroudsburg University Senior Finalist for Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence

Ali Zaidi Award

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on May 3, 2022, No Comments

Jessica Irwin, a senior at East Stroudsburg University from Port Matilda, Pa., was ESU’s finalist for the 2022 Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence.

Created in 2000, the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence is conferred upon a graduating senior from one of the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The award was founded by Dr. Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a charter member of the State System Board of Governors.

Irwin is majoring in exercise science. She is completing a three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science program with a concentration in pre-professional therapeutic sciences. Her strong academic success and is just part of her story that makes her an ideal candidate for the award. She is a student who loves to take on challenges and always comes through with the utmost confidence and expected results.

Irwin has been named to the Dean’s List every semester, achieved an impeccable GPA of 4.0 in this demanding and challenging accelerated academic program, and is part of the ESU honors program.

Along with her academic achievements, she has always been a student that immerses herself with many other aspects of being a successful university student by being active in various academic related clubs and athletics. Irwin was named the PSAC Champion Scholar for women’s volleyball in fall 2021 as the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the conference’s championship site.

“I have had the opportunity to interact with Jessica. She is a very passionate and compassionate student, and it shows in the way she interacts with other students, teammates, faculty, and administrators,” said ESU Interim President Kenneth Long. “This passion continues to benefit not just her but our campus. She has used her academic path as the ultimate career builder as she continues to expand her knowledge base and preparation to continue her progress to attain a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology. As her career progresses, I know she will continue to make our University, the State System, and Commonwealth proud.”

Candidates for the 2022 award were recommended by their university president at the conclusion of a campus application and selection process that was open to all graduating seniors. Multiple selection criteria included outstanding academic scholarship, including prizes, honors, and honorary societies; participation in extra/co-curricular activities; and a two-page essay by the nominee addressing how the university has prepared him or her for the next career step.