Two Seton Hall University members honored as National Role Models

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University alumnus Brandon Larmore, director of the Academic Resource Center, and Yvonne Pruitt, a junior theater major and peer adviser, have been recognized as National Role Models at Minority Access’ 17th annual Conference in Washington, D.C., which took place Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

“To be a recipient of the National Role Models Award indicates the awardee has excelled in a field and their achievements are worthy of emulation by others,” Mason Monroe, director at Minority Access, said in a press release. “Since 2000, more than 500 faculty, students, administrators, alumni and renowned innovators worthy of emulation have been honored as role models at the National Role Models Conference for their achievements.”

Minority Access is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing diversity, decreasing disparities and reducing incidences of environmental injustices. Its mission is to assist colleges and universities, the federal government, agencies of other governments and corporations in implementing programs and providing services to recruit, enhance and retain underserved and underrepresented populations.

SHU’s associate vice president of Freshmen Studies, Robin Cunningham, nominated Larmore, citing his work as a peer adviser, graduate assistant and now full-time employee. He was previously recognized as the Division of Student Services’ “Adviser of the Year” for his work with Habitat for Humanity.

“He came right to mind; he is a true role model to students and an inspiration to colleagues,” Cunningham said.

“I feel honored to be among a select group of individuals and validated that I’m doing what I set out to do, which is encouraging students to always do better and be the best version of themselves,” Larmore said.

Larmore is just as adept at spotting a role model as being one; he nominated Pruitt.

“Yvonne Pruitt is a phenomenal student leader on campus who can be relied on for any task and is committed to helping students. She continues to pay it forward and help students thrive here at Seton Hall,” Larmore said.

Pruitt has been recognized under the Division of Student Services’ “Celebrate Our Students” program, which highlights students who have made an impact on campus. Her banner can be seen in the main entrance of Jubilee Hall. More recently, she devoted her time and efforts to directing the children’s theater production, “Once, In a Time of Trolls,” at Seton Hall Weekend.

“I’m very proud. It’s surreal at the moment. I’m grateful for my experience here and thankful for Dean Cunningham, Brandon and Dean Yates for giving me the opportunities to do great things,” Pruitt said.

While attending the conference, Larmore and Pruitt shared their ideas and experiences with other attendees, learned new strategies on how best to engage students and how to instill in students the necessary skills to be successful in the job market and beyond.

“It was empowering to see minorities being celebrated,” Pruitt said. “In the climate of our world today, we turn on the news and there’s usually something negative that minorities are a part of. People tend to focus on that. This conference made sure that minorities succeeding in their endeavors had a chance to know that it is worth something and that we can, and do, make a difference. It was amazing to be surrounded by such support and encouragement.”

“Both Brandon Larmore and Yvonne Pruitt embody servant leadership. They go above and beyond to give time to service that benefits the university. We are very proud here in the Division of Student Services. It is inspiring to know that we have people here that belong in such a prestigious group,” Cunningham said.

  Seton Hall University