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Mialie T. Szymanski, assistant to the dean at �Ը������� University at Trumbull, is honored with the university’s I AM FIRST Graduate Student Award, recognizing exceptional first-generation graduate students who demonstrate determination, leadership, scholarship and service reflective of �Ը�������’s mission.

A Newton Falls resident and graduate of Western Reserve Academy, Mialie learned she had won the award while delivering a Veterans Day keynote speech for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Though she was unable to be in two places at once and attend the ceremony in person, she watched the announcement live on Microsoft Teams.

The award celebrates graduate students who are the first in their families to pursue advanced or terminal degrees. Mialie is the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s and then also a master’s degree and is completing additional coursework in journalism education and library science at �Ը�������, carrying a 4.0 GPA. She also holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a humanities concentration from Hollins University and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from �Ը������� ’25.

She attributes this recognition to the support of her colleagues.

“I have not come across an individual as passionate and committed to advancing the mission of the university as she is,” her nominator stated.

The I AM FIRST award adds to a growing list of university honors. In 2024, Mialie received �Ը�������’s Community Engaged Staff Award, presented by the Community Engaged Learning Division of University College. That award recognizes staff who embody the university’s strategic goal of community impact. Mialie was selected for her work with a wide range of community organizations and initiatives, including the Book Buddies partnership with the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library and her longstanding support of �Ը�������’s K-9 Flashes program. All of these relationships help identify �Ը������� as stewards of place in our communities, which is one of the Regional Campus priorities. 

A lifelong advocate for animals, Mialie has been involved in animal-related service since childhood when her family says she knew every cat and dog in the neighborhood and they were the highlight of daily walks. “I'm definitely the one who will say ‘hi’ to the dog before I say ‘hi’ to the human,” she admits with a smile. For decades she has volunteered with shelters, supported K-9 police units and raised awareness for service and working dogs. Her sassy cat, Wish, is a frequent fixture in her stories, presentations and campus life.

Mialie’s advocacy extends into her professional and creative work. A former journalist and published author and illustrator, she wrote a story-time column, “Puppy Tails: Adventures of Doodle Dog,” which ran for 117 editions in a regional newspaper, and often incorporates animals into her writing and art. She also served as a two-term regent of the David Hudson Chapter, NSDAR, where she led projects supporting literacy and first responders, including the animals that work alongside them. Following that she served at the state level as Public Relations and Media Chair overseeing the awareness efforts of nearly 100 chapters across Ohio. She had the opportunity to contribute her talents as a local artist when the Food Network show Restaurant: Impossible uplifted an eatery in Garrettsville, led by British Royal Navy veteran Chef Robert Irvine, whose foundation includes service dog organizations in their areas of support. “I loved being able to use my skills to help others in the community,” she said.

This summer, Mialie presented “Pawsitive Energy: Animals as Ambassadors for Strengthening University and Community Relations” as a graduate student at the International Town & Gown Association conference hosted at �Ը�������. The presentation highlighted how our furry friends, including the university’s K-9 units, the Veterinary Technology program’s partnerships, and community literacy initiatives, help connect the university to the community. “One gentleman in particular cited my clear passion for what I was doing and reiterated to me that nothing is successful without passion,” she recalls. “I'll hold those words with me for a long time.” This is also the program she presented to the DAR last weekend, adding a spotlight on military working animals.

“Animals make our world better,” Mialie said. “They’re incredibly smart, intuitive, caring and loyal. And they have a great sense of humor. Whether you get to watch the amazing ways they work, or how excited they are for the simple pleasure of going for a walk and getting goofy chasing a squirrel, or they curl up on your lap when you’ve had a challenging day at work. They connect us in ways nothing else can.”

Her dedication has fueled multiple fundraising efforts benefiting �Ը�������’s K-9 teams, including recent contributions supporting Sgt. Anne Spahr and her partners K-9 Coco (ret.) and K-9 Salem, an explosive device detection team.

Mialie continues to encourage community participation through events such as the university’s annual Dog Days of Summer fundraiser each August, which supports the �Ը������� K-9s, and the winter Forest of Flash Fellowship Giving Trees, which spotlight, in part, the Vet Tech program and its collaboration with the local Animal Welfare League. Doodle Dog, the floppy-eared puppy from her story-time column, earned his Doctorate in Barketing diploma from the �Ը������� K-9s this year as part of the Dog Days activities.

Despite the whirlwind events surrounding the award announcement, which included her keynote speech and an author fair at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Mialie said the recognition reinforces her passion for service.

As she says in her presentations, “pets” are a shared language and connect us in ways nothing else can. “I know the ‘pawsitive’ impact animals have made on my life and those around me, and I want to support that in whatever ways I can for others to experience the same,” she said. “Community impact is ingrained in the way I live my life. I am so incredibly grateful and honored to be a leader in making a difference.”

Those interested in assisting the K-9s can learn more at