It is with great honor and pride that we announce Jewel Konja as the recipient of the esteemed Collegiate of the Year Award—an honor that celebrates her remarkable leadership, exceptional contributions, and genuine commitment to the spirit of LKS.
Throughout her tenure as President of Omicron Chapter, Jewel consistently displayed a passionate commitment to excellence, adapting with agility to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her strategic, team-oriented leadership style was a guiding light for her chapter, leading them through uncertain times with shared decision-making and a dedication to the well-being of her fellow sisters and their patients.
Jewel’s inclusive leadership, grounded in the principles of diversity and equity, is a testament to her commitment to LKS’s core values. Her role in evaluating recruitment efforts and chapter operations through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) showcases her dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment within the Fraternity. This commitment extended to the educational sphere, where she prioritized DEI learning in chapter meetings and during the 2022 Hygeia Day program.
Jewel’s leadership prowess was not confined to DEI efforts; she, alongside her eBoard, elevated the goals of each committee and drove fundraising activities to new heights. The remarkable success of the inaugural Project Hope WaLKS, which raised an impressive $2265, speaks volumes about Jewel’s ability to bring about positive change and rally her chapter members toward meaningful causes.
Her academic accomplishments are equally commendable. Jewel is a top scholarship recipient, boasting an exceptional GPA and achieving success in five research projects, with a publication and three national presentations to her name—a testament to her dedication to the field of pharmacy. Her induction into Phi Lambda Sigma, earned in her second year, is a testament to her exceptional leadership and commitment to the highest standards of excellence.
In addition to her academic achievements and Fraternity leadership, Jewel’s commitment to professional growth shines through her internships in both community and hospital pharmacies. She is a true role model for her sisters, always striving to improve the chapter and ensuring every member finds success and enjoyment within the LKS sisterhood.
As Jewel embarks on the next chapter of her journey, with a PGY1 residency at a prestigious and competitive residency-focused health system, she continues to engage with the alumnae, demonstrating her commitment to the ongoing success of the Lambda Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Her Fraternity Advisor, Mary Beth O’Connell, shares, “Jewel Konja has consistently and passionately given her talents and time to help Omicron reach greater excellence in all aspects of chapter function, and actively engage, support, and serve her classmates and patients. She was an excellent President doing strategic, team oriented, and shared decision-making leadership during mostly COVID-19 pandemic years.”
In celebrating Jewel Konja as the recipient of the Collegiate of the Year Award, we honor her exceptional leadership, commitment to excellence, and embodiment of LKS’s core values. Her contributions to her chapter, her community, and the field of pharmacy make her a shining example of the spirit of LKS. Congratulations, Jewel, on this well-deserved recognition—an embodiment of the true essence of the Lambda Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
