Graduate School’s Cunningham named Cross Scholar for leadership promise | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Graduate School’s Cunningham named Cross Scholar for leadership promise Graduate School’s Cunningham named Cross Scholar for leadership promise Published: January 11, 2018 Author: Erin Blasko Association of American Colleges and Universities University of Notre Dame graduate student Tony Cunningham is among seven recipients of the 2018 K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award, presented annually to the most promising future leaders in higher education in the U.S. Administered by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the Cross Award recognizes graduate students who show exemplary promise as future leaders of higher education; demonstrate a commitment to developing academic and civic responsibility in themselves and in others; and whose work reflects a strong emphasis on teaching and learning. The award provides financial support for students to attend the AACU’s annual meeting, covering travel, lodging, registration and a one-year affiliation with the organization. This year’s meeting takes place Jan. 24-27 in Washington, D.C. Cunningham, a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, is currently completing his degree as a clinical intern at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System in Leavenworth, Kansas. His research focuses on the importance of sleep for memory and emotion regulation and how disrupted sleep may affect mood and cognition in a variety of clinical populations. Cunningham is a two-time Notre Dame graduate, having earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University. He is a past recipient of the University’s Sister Jean Lenz, O.S.F., Leadership Award for his leadership in promoting a more diverse, inclusive campus for students. He lives in Mishawaka, Indiana. “I am thrilled to see Tony recognized for this prestigious award,” said Laura Carlson, vice president and associate provost and dean of the Graduate School. “I have known Tony throughout his graduate career in psychology and have long been impressed not only by his scholarship but also by his exceptional leadership activities: He co-created the Graduate Student, Spouse, and Significant Other Network, was a finalist in the Three Minute Thesis Competition, founded a neuroscience journal club, won awards for his direction of undergraduate researchers and presented his work on the importance of sleep to local high school athletes.  “Tony models the leadership qualities graduate students can cultivate when they embrace social responsibility while embodying the Graduate School’s core belief that ‘your research matters,’” Carlson added. The Cross award is open to all doctoral-level graduate students who are planning a career in higher education, regardless of academic department. This year’s recipients were selected from a pool of more than 200 nominees from 119 institutions. The award honors the work of K. Patricia Cross, professor emerita of higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of seven books on teaching, learning and assessment. “This year’s group represents the emergent understanding of ‘inclusive excellence’ in American higher education,” Cross said. “They are serious and published researchers, award-winning teachers, campus leaders and catalysts for campus/community involvement. Their stories are amazingly diverse and, taken together, give us a vision of an American higher education that will serve our increasingly complex society.” Contact: Erin Blasko, assistant director of media relations, 574-631-4127, eblasko@nd.edu Posted In: University News Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 Congresswoman Liz Cheney to speak at Notre Dame on the future of democracy September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 22, 2022 ND Forum keynote event to feature Emmy Award-winning actors in Theater of War Productions’ presentation of ‘The Suppliants’ in Notre Dame Stadium September 21, 2022 In annual address to faculty, Father Jenkins outlines campus-wide vision for elevating excellence September 15, 2022 Lilly Endowment Inc. grant helps to expand Notre Dame pre-college programs for Hoosier high school students For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn