University of Wisconsin–Madison

2026 Achievement Awardees at CeO

CeO Celebrates Achievement & Success

The Center for Educational Opportunity (CeO) is proud to celebrate a remarkable group of alumni and partners whose dedication, leadership, and impact continue to strengthen our community and advance student success at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

  • Dr. Julie Janiak has been named the recipient of the 2026 Division of Enrollment Management’s Outstanding Campus Partner Award. This honor recognizes her exceptional collaboration in advancing the university’s mission. Dr. Janiak’s steadfast commitment to building CeO’s incoming classes—despite an evolving federal landscape—has been instrumental. Her personalized outreach to prospective students, particularly first-generation scholars, reflects a level of care and intentionality that makes a lasting difference in helping students feel seen, supported, and confident in choosing UW–Madison.
  • Dr. Johnny Uelmen has been selected as a 2026 TRIO Achiever by the Wisconsin Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel. Nominated by colleagues Dr. Julie Janiak, Ryan Grady, and Hyewon Park, this recognition celebrates both his accomplishments and his enduring commitment to the mission and values of TRIO programs. He will be formally honored at the WAEOPP Annual Conference TRIO Achiever Banquet.
  • Ryan Grady has been recognized with the OACS Community Leadership Award, highlighting his meaningful contributions to building community and supporting student engagement.
  • Val Díaz Moreno, a physics major, has earned a UW Teaching Assistant Award and further distinguished herself as an Open Quantum Initiative Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory. Her achievements reflect both academic excellence and a strong commitment to research and innovation.
  • Leslie Wright has been honored with the Outstanding Returning Adult Student Award, recognizing her perseverance, dedication, and inspiring journey back to higher education.

Together, these awardees embody the spirit of CeO—demonstrating excellence, resilience, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for all.