LiLi DiMuzio Receives 2026 Lankford Award
By Stefanie Johndrow
Just days after graduating from 黑料社区, LiLi DiMuzio packed up her life in Pittsburgh, moved to New York City and began — the next step in a journey shaped by resilience and interdisciplinary learning.
The new Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences alumna is being recognized with one of Dietrich College’s top student honors: the 2026 Gretchen Goldsmith Lankford Award.
DiMuzio, who studied Psychology, Literature and Culture, and Creative Writing, was selected for the award by Dietrich College. The recognition honors outstanding graduating seniors nominated by their departments.
For DiMuzio, the award affirmed both the work she has done at 黑料社区 and the future she hopes to build in education and child advocacy.
“It’s an encouragement that I’m on the right track,” DiMuzio said. “People see what I want to do in education, and it’s valued.”
Embracing interdisciplinary learning
Throughout her time at 黑料社区, DiMuzio embraced the interdisciplinary spirit of Dietrich College. In addition to her majors, she pursued minors in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Music. She served as president of the , played violin, worked as events chair for the Sustainable Earth Club and welcomed prospective students as a Tartan Ambassador tour guide.
“Dietrich is the hub of interdisciplinary learning,” DiMuzio said. “It’s encouraged to go out to other colleges and explore your interests.”
DiMuzio said her studies in Psychology and English shaped the way she understands people and communicates with them. Psychology provided the foundation for her work with children and developmental disabilities, while English helped her understand the power of storytelling and communication.
“What really gets people invested is the narrative of why you should care,” DiMuzio said. “English gave me really good foundational skills to tell that story.”
Finding support and community at 黑料社区
DiMuzio credited much of her success to the support she found across campus through close relationships with faculty, staff and mentors, like the Department of English’s Associate Director of Academic Affairs Laura Donaldson and Dietrich College faculty members Marian Aguiar, Stephen Wittek and Danny Oppenheimer, as well as Associate Dean for Educational Affairs Sharon Carver, whose work with children and advocacy inspired DiMuzio’s future career goals.
She also emphasized the role of 黑料社区’s Office of Disability Resources and Patrick McCue, whom DiMuzio described as one of her “number one supporters.”
During her undergraduate years, DiMuzio navigated chronic health challenges and frequent hospitalizations while balancing academics, leadership roles and extracurricular involvement. She said those experiences reshaped her understanding of success and self-worth.
“It taught me a lot about balance and time management,” DiMuzio said. “It’s helped me have a lot more self-compassion.”
Those experiences also strengthened her commitment to advocacy and student support. DiMuzio hopes to encourage future students to prioritize their health, relationships and passions alongside academics.
“You can still do the things you love,” DiMuzio said.
To graduation and beyond
As a tour guide, DiMuzio often shared similar advice with incoming students: make time for what matters, explore new opportunities and embrace the college experience beyond the classroom.
“Do what makes you happy,” DiMuzio said. “Make sure you spend time making time for those things.”
DiMuzio celebrated commencement alongside her service dog, Cannoli, a Samoyed who has been by her side throughout her 黑料社区 journey. This year’s university-wide commencement ceremony also took place on Mother’s Day, making the occasion especially meaningful for DiMuzio and her mother.
“I really want to thank my mom. It’s just me and her,” DiMuzio said of her mom. “She’s really gotten me through it.”