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Senior Elizabeth O'Hara was one of five students to receive a Rising Star Award from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA). The award honors standout students at New Jersey colleges and universities because of their academic work, leadership and community service.

"While this award is a testament to all that I have been able to accomplish during my time at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø, I think it’s also a tribute to everyone who helped me get to this point," O'Hara says. "Whether it be my family, professors, peers or mentors around campus, so many people have played a part in supporting my journey and helping me stay grounded in my values. Along the way, they’ve helped me to understand the importance of working hard, leaving everything better off than I found it and progress over perfection."

O'Hara is a graphic design and computer science double major with a 4.0 GPA. She has taken on a number of leadership roles throughout her time at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø, and many involve welcoming and supporting current and future students. Since May 2021, she has served as the student body president. She is a tour guide, orientation leader, member of the Leadership Development Program and president of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's Unified Sports Club, where ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø students and Special Olympics athletes play a variety of sports together.   

"For me, the goal was never to take on as many leadership roles as I could just to fill a resume," she says. "Instead, I wanted to be more intentional with the organizations I joined and leave a positive and lasting impact."

O'Hara's work with the Unified Sports Club has inspired her career aspirations. She hopes to be an advocate for accessibility in her work, designing and developing software with particular attention to visual, auditory, motor and cognitive abilities. She plans to pursue a master's in software engineering after graduation.

"I cannot think of a more deserving recipient than Liz, who embodies the spirit of the Rising Star Award," says Dr. Kelly Bidle, dean of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Bidle nominated O'Hara for the award. "She is truly a natural leader and an outstanding student and is passionate about serving her community. We are very proud she has been recognized for this honor."

O'Hara will be honored at NJBIA’s 7th annual Women Business Leaders Forum from Sept. 22 to 24. The event is New Jersey’s largest professional women’s conference. Participants engage in workshops, TED-style talks and inspiring keynotes from nationally renowned speakers.