ASU English organizations, mentors honored

By Kristen LaRue-Sandler — April 20, 2026

An ASU certificate that shows an award presented to the 2026 celebration of Dia De Los Ninos, Dia De Los Libros from the Committee for Campus Inclusion. Courtesy image.

ASU Department of English student organizations, program initiatives and mentors were recognized in spring 2026 for their commitment to ASU charter values.

ASU Pitchfork Award for Educational Program

The CALL Club at ASU was again honored—for the second consecutive year—with the ASU Pitchfork Award for Educational Program. Club President Mohamed Almahdi, a PhD student in linguistics and applied linguistics, accepted the award at an event on April 15. "My thanks to Dr. Bryan Smith for 12 years of commitment to supporting graduate student leadership and service in our department," Almahdi said.

ASU CALL Club President Mohamed Almahdi holds the organization's 2026 ASU Pitchfork Award in front of balloons and an ASU sign. Courtesy photo — ASU CALL Club President Mohamed Almahdi holds the organization's ASU Pitchfork Award. Courtesy photo.

Guru Vandana Recognition

Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action) at ASU recognized Instructor of English Tonya Eick, also a PhD student in the linguistics and applied linguistics program, and Shipra Agarwal, an MFA student in the creative writing program, at its Guru Vandana on April 8. The annual event is, according to Club President Devansh Gupta, "a sincere expression of appreciation, a moment where students pause to acknowledge the profound impact educators have on their lives." Both Department of English community members were honored for their support of students.

ASU Instructor Tonya Eick receives recognition at the Guru Vandana held by ASU Hindu YUVA in April. Photo courtesy ASU Hindu YUVA. — ASU Instructor Tonya Eick (left) at the Guru Vandana held by ASU Hindu YUVA in April. Photo courtesy ASU Hindu YUVA.

MFA student Shipra Agarwal strides off-stage at the 2026 Guru Vandana event held by ASU Hindu Yuva in April. Photo courtesy Hindu YUVA. — MFA student Shipra Agarwal at the 2026 Guru Vandana event held by ASU Hindu YUVA in April. Photo courtesy Hindu YUVA.

Graduate Student Government Outstanding Mentor and Teaching Excellence Awards

On April 20, the ASU Graduate Student Government announced Outstanding Mentors for 2026, a list which includes Department of English doctoral students Stephanie Leow (writing, rhetorics and literacies) and Vanessa Sullivan (English education). Sullivan was also the recipient of a Teaching Excellence Award from the organization.

ASU doctoral students Vanessa Sullivan and Stephanie Leow represented ASU Writing Programs during Humanities Week 2024. They are both recipients of awards from ASU Graduate Student Government in 2026. Photo by Meghan Finnerty/ASU.

Committee for Campus Inclusion Catalyst Award Grant

The Department of English's annual Día De Los Niños, Día De Los Libros received an ASU Committee for Campus Inclusion Catalyst Award Grant in support of its 2026 celebration of youth literacy. Día team members Seth Tendler, PhD student in English education; Caden Gillespie, business operations manager; Mary Beth Hollman, program manager; and James Blasingame, President's Professor were on-hand to accept the award at a ceremony on April 15.

Dia team members Seth Tendler, Caden Gillespie, Mary Beth Hollmann and James Blasingame accepted the ASU Catalyst Grant at a ceremony in April. Courtesy photo. — From left to right, Día team members: Seth Tendler, Caden Gillespie, Mary Beth Hollmann and James Blasingame. Courtesy photo.