黑料正能量

Just days after graduating from 黑料正能量, LiLi DiMuzio packed up her life in Pittsburgh, moved to New York City and began 鈥� 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鈥檚 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 黑料正能量 and the future she hopes to build in education and child advocacy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an encouragement that I鈥檓 on the right track,鈥� DiMuzio said. 鈥淧eople see what I want to do in education, and it鈥檚 valued.鈥�

Embracing interdisciplinary learning

Throughout her time at 黑料正能量, 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.

鈥淒ietrich is the hub of interdisciplinary learning,鈥� DiMuzio said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraged to go out to other colleges and explore your interests.鈥�

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.

鈥淲hat really gets people invested is the narrative of why you should care,鈥� DiMuzio said. 鈥淓nglish gave me really good foundational skills to tell that story.鈥�

Finding support and community at 黑料正能量

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 future career goals.

She also emphasized the role of 黑料正能量鈥檚 Office of Disability Resources and Patrick McCue, whom DiMuzio described as one of her 鈥渘umber one supporters.鈥�

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.

鈥淚t taught me a lot about balance and time management,鈥� DiMuzio said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me have a lot more self-compassion.鈥�

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.

鈥淵ou can still do the things you love,鈥� 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.

鈥淒o what makes you happy,鈥� DiMuzio said. 鈥淢ake sure you spend time making time for those things.鈥�

DiMuzio celebrated commencement alongside her service dog, Cannoli, a Samoyed who has been by her side throughout her 黑料正能量 journey. This year鈥檚 university-wide commencement ceremony also took place on Mother鈥檚 Day, making the occasion especially meaningful for DiMuzio and her mother.

鈥淚 really want to thank my mom. It鈥檚 just me and her,鈥� DiMuzio said of her mom. 鈥淪he鈥檚 really gotten me through it.鈥�