2026 Outstanding Graduating Students

Leah Floyd
Communication Design / Bachelor of Science in Design

Leah Floyd consistently demonstrates excellence in design, thoughtful critical thinking, and a fearless openness to trying new ideas and exploring where they might lead. She is not only a talented designer, but also a kind, generous person and a natural leader who elevates those around her. We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and excited to see where her future takes her.

Laura Troutman
Fashion Design / Bachelor of Science in Design

Laura Troutman is an exceptionally curious fashion design student, driven by an eagerness to explore, question, and expand the possibilities of design. She demonstrates an ability to transform abstract concepts into compelling garments. Her work is distinguished by exceptional technical precision and a deep commitment to craft. Through this synthesis of curiosity, concept development, and skill, Laura consistently produces innovative outcomes that position her as a forward-thinking designer.

Zoe Hong
Industrial Design / Bachelor of Science in Design

Zoe has distinguished herself as an exceptional student through outstanding academic achievement, impressive co-op experiences, an admirable work ethic, and a consistent demonstration of leadership. Guided by an inquisitive perspective and a people-focused mindset, she has devoted her studies to designing meaningful, human-centered products. Her passion for design, combined with her genuine care for people, reflects the integrity and vision of a exemplary designer, deserving to represent the Industrial Design program.

Nicholas Namyar
Design / Master of Design

Nick Namyar is an exceptional student whose work reflects academic and professional achievements in the Master of Design program, alongside meaningful service to the DAAP community. His participatory design project, Designing Audience-Driven Visual Identities for Emerging Musicians, connects students with early-career musicians to produce collaborative branding outcomes. Informed by his co-op in the music industry, the project reflects his evolving professional goals. He has also engaged with undergraduate courses and contributed to DAAP CDRI and Marketing.

Marianne Cadio
Architecture / Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Marianne Cadio is passionate and dedicated, taking her interest in architectural design into and beyond the studio setting. She excels in academia yet finds time to pursue outside competitions, be a leader in student organizations, and travel. If Marianne were a noun it might be ‘curiosity.’ If a verb ‘explore.’ She cares, turning her desire to learn to those immediately around her, taking opportunities to hear lectures, symposia and the expressions of her entire community.

Ellie Holt
Interior Design / Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

Ellie Holt is a designer to watch. Rooted in social change and empowerment, her work explores belonging, inclusivity, and community through poetic, purposeful spatial expression. She pairs strong conceptual thinking with a refined sensitivity to material, light, and detail—transforming the ordinary into rich, meaningful environments. An intuitive problem-solver and generous collaborator, Ellie brings energy, optimism, and lift to every team. It is a true joy to recognize her as an outstanding student.

Devanshi Patel
Architecture / Master of Architecture

Devanshi Patel is a rare design seeker with an intense focus on unique and creative design ideas. Her thesis demonstrates a sophisticated approach to large-scale post-industrial riverfront sites and conveys a broad and comprehensive understanding of aging infrastructure, complex flood plain ecologies, historical archaeologies, and a significant paradigm shift in the city's desire for maximum future housing densities. Devanshi is individually driven, yet collaboratively thoughtful and supportive. She embraces the collective and is a great team player.

Ella Morriss
Art History / Bachelor of Art History

Ella Morriss is an outstanding student whose academic excellence and professional initiative distinguish her among her peers. A double major in Art History and English, she is a Dean’s List scholar and recent inductee into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Ella has gained meaningful museum experience, through gallery talks, exhibition work, and internships at the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Museum Center. Her extensive study abroad and language study reflect an impressive global engagement with art history.

Sidney Whipps
Fine Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts

Sidney Whipps demonstrates artistic excellence rooted in technical craftsmanship and deep curiosity for understanding the intersection of living in a physical and digital landscape. She has participated in various exhibitions in the Ohio Valley and worked in local art spaces. Sidney presented a co-lecture titled Sustainable Reclaim Solutions in Studios at the 2026 NCECA conference in Detroit. She is the 2025-2026 DAAP Clay Club president, leading clay enthusiasts through fun and innovative community engagement.

Dominic Bley
Art Education / Master of Arts

We selected Dominic Bley because of his outstanding performance as a cohort leader, performance in coursework, and exhibition work at DAAP Annex in August 2025. His research project focused on community spaces and culinary arts education. Dominic has taken arts-based research into the Cincinnati community with The Garden of Joy Culinary Academy as a center for free, garden-to-table culinary arts education which exemplified his Masters project in the program.

Sea Dax
Fine Arts / Master of Fine Arts

Sea is an interdisciplinary artist with a strong commitment to his practice and a prolific body of work. Sea is constantly doing research and challenging his practice; his work ethics are an inspiration to other students. Sea is present with the cohort of first year MFAs, is generous with his input and feedback, and cares for his peers. He always has a joyful demeanor and is ready to lend a hand whenever and wherever is needed.

Quinn Leibold
Horticulture / Bachelor of Science

Over the past decade, Quinn has held diverse horticultural roles at universities, hydroponic farms, and public institutions, focusing on plant health diagnostics, pest and disease management, and maintaining varied plant systems. These experiences built a strong foundation in horticulture and plant pathology. Academically, he maintains a high GPA at the University of Cincinnati while working full time. His diligence, research interests, and professional involvement indicate strong preparation for graduate study and future scientific contributions of research.

Ella Lisac
Urban Planning / Bachelor of Science

Ella Lisac is passionate about urbanism and environmental resilience – a timely topic given the environmental stresses due to urbanization. She has excelled at DAAP academically as a Cincinnatus Scholar and been on the Dean’s list every year since Fall 2021. Her application for the Fulbright Program and proposal for study abroad at TU Delft to investigate environmental technology solutions, especially for water management and flood protection, reflects her propensity to take on big challenges.

Sean Johnson II
Urban Studies / Bachelor of Science

Sean Johnson has shown himself to be a thoughtful student and exemplary citizen on and off campus. Sean has engaged in the study of cities with an eye toward justice and fairness. His classroom work and extracurricular record reflect this focus. He has served in leadership roles in both College Mentors for Kids and the UC NAACP chapter. He has also performed over 100 hours of community service with the UC Center for Community Engagement. Sean seeks to lift up those around him.

Iris Boyer
Community Planning / Master of Community Planning

Iris Boyer has demonstrated strong leadership, collaboration, and initiative in her capstone course. During a Chicago workshop with the Greater Chatham Initiative, she effectively coordinated her team and synthesized ideas, receiving positive feedback from local stakeholders and professionals. She listens carefully, collaborates well with others, and brings a strong work ethic and professional manner. Her capstone project focuses on developing a housing cooperative model with a rental equity program, reflecting her commitment to housing equity.

Gabrielle Ragusa
Landscape Architecture / Master of Landscape Architecture

Gabrielle (Gabi) blends advanced intellectual inquiry with scholarship bringing a focused research approach to studio that addresses impacts of design to site – all of which inspires and motivates her colleagues.

As member and officer of the student chapter of ASLA, her leadership connects our students with practicing professionals through workshops and events. As a DAAP ambassador, Gabi is an energetic role model for the college and champion of the MLA program.