The Clio Hall Awards recognize outstanding collaboration with the Graduate School's GradFUTURES team on professional development for graduate students. These award-winners have been selected for their role in creating or expanding resources and programs, and elevating the visibility and impact of professional development. A committee reviews nominations submitted from across campus. The awards are presented each year at the GradFUTURES Forum. 

"The Graduate School's GradFUTURES program is fueled by an ecosystem of campus partners, faculty, alumni, graduate student leaders, and industry partners," said Eva Kubu, senior associate dean for professional development and director of GradFUTURES.  "Each of this year's Clio Hall Award honorees has helped ensure that Princeton's holistic approach to graduate student professional development is innovative, inclusive, and integrated into the experience of graduate students." 

An award ceremony and reception was held on Tuesday, March 25 to honor the awardees. 

2025 Clio Hall Awardees

Cole Crittenden *05, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Cole Crittenden *05 (Slavic Languages and Literatures) has and continues to play a key role in ensuring that professional development is an intrinsic part of the graduate student experience at Princeton. During his time as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Graduate School, he recognized that professional growth requires structured, intentional engagement, and he created frameworks that have become models of excellence. Cole helped establish the first graduate student experiential programs at Princeton, the University Administrative Fellowship Program and the Community College Teaching Fellowship as well as the first Professional Development Learning Cohort. These programs created a strong foundation and models for the subsequent GradFUTURES programming that began in 2019. Cole remains a steadfast champion of graduate student professional development in his new role as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs as he establishes new University initiatives and outreach programs that may offer potential opportunities for graduate students’ personal and professional growth. 

Ian Gunady *24 (MAE), Consultant, BCG

Ian Gunady *24 (MAE) exemplified exceptional student leadership by spearheading the GradFUTURES Consulting learning cohort in spring 2024. Dean Sonali Majumdar, with whom Ian closely collaborated,  praised Ian as an extraordinary student leader—who demonstrated a rare combination of strategic thinking, efficient implementation, and humble leadership. He approached Dean Majumdar with the idea to launch a cohort after participating in a 2-day consulting bootcamp she coordinated and receiving an offer from BCG. He recognized the impact of that experience and wanted to engage additional graduate students in a similar but more intensive program that included a capstone project. Ian helped strategically design meaningful  capstone projects with Princeton University's Office of Tech Licensing, Sustainability Office, PU Press, and the Library. In addition to the professional exploration and immersive learning the 67 participants gained, there were other significant impressive results of this cohort. Six students who completed the cohort secured offers from top consulting firms including BCG, Bain, and other life science consultancies. In addition, Ian established a virtuous cycle of mentorship by securing commitments from all 6 of these newly placed consultants to mentor future cohorts moving forward. His nuanced approach to program development, student engagement, and long-term alumni support has led to an enduring and impactful learning ecosystem.

Ken Noonan *72, Senior Advisor at Lightstone Ventures

Ken Noonan *72 (BIO/CBE) is a Senior Advisor at Lightstone Ventures. He is also an extraordinary alum mentor, providing transformative professional guidance and psychosocial support to graduate students through the GradFUTURES mentorship program. Over four years, he has mentored 12 graduate students, providing nuanced support and an ongoing commitment that extends long after they graduate. With deep expertise in life sciences and entrepreneurship, Ken offers critical advice as his mentees navigate complex career decisions and transitions. His mentorship is characterized by comprehensive, personalized guidance—helping students tackle challenging professional decisions, explore emerging career pathways, and overcome personal and professional uncertainties. Whether supporting a graduate student contemplating a startup, transitioning between scientific domains, or strategizing career pivots, Ken consistently offers strategic insights and compassionate counsel. Beyond individual mentorship, Ken has also been instrumental in further developing the mentor program, contributing case studies to the alumni mentor e-learning orientation and training and providing constructive feedback that enhances the program and the entire community’s mentorship capabilities. Ken goes above and beyond typical alum mentors' commitment and is a shining example of the power of committed mentorship and championship– and the profound impact of engaged, strategic alumni support in graduate student professional development.

Keely Swan, Associate Director, Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (C-PREE)

Keely Swan has been a key partner to the Graduate School and a pivotal force in developing science policy training at Princeton, dramatically expanding opportunities for graduate students across disciplines. As the director of the Science, Technology and Environment Policy (STEP) program, she collaborated with GradFUTURES to design comprehensive science policy training initiatives that bridge academic research and public policy. Her innovative and collaborative approach led to several impactful programs this year. She helped establish a campus-wide Science Policy learning cohort and assisted in securing two GradFUTURES faculty fellows (Ali Nouri and Jesse Jenkins) to offer their expertise in designing and teaching sessions of the program. She also liaised with colleagues in the Offices of Federal and  State Affairs colleagues who connected cohort members with policymakers at the federal and state levels. Keely also partnered with GradFUTURES to co-sponsor Princeton graduate students to participate in the AAAS CASE (Catalyzing Advocacy for Science and Engineering) program in D.C. Keely has transformed science policy training and created interdisciplinary opportunities for Princeton's graduate students and the next generation of scientist-advocates.

About the Clio Hall Awards

Each year, the GradFUTURES Clio Hall Awards are presented by the Graduate School's professional development team to faculty, staff, graduate alums, and graduate students in recognition of significant contributions to the professional development of Princeton graduate students. The criteria include outstanding collaboration and partnership to create or expand professional development resources and programs and/or to elevate the visibility and impact of professional development for graduate students. A committee reviews nominations submitted from across campus, and the award is presented each year at the GradFUTURES Forum.  

The name for the Graduate School’s GradFUTURES Clio Hall Award is inspired by “Clio Hall”, a landmark Greek-revival style building at the University. Built more than 125 years ago (1893), it is the home of the Graduate School’s administrative offices and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School. Clio Hall originally housed the “Cliosophic Society”, the oldest college debating club in the US. The award itself, a miniature 3D printed replica of Clio Hall, has been produced with the generous support of the Council on Science and Technology.(Link is external)