Mercedes Wallace

• Title: Willie J. Young, Sr. Staff Impact Award

Student Life’s own Mercedes Wallace serves as the Director of Buckeye Leadership Fellows (BLF), where she goes beyond program management to serve as a mentor, confidant, and advocate for her students. Whether guiding them through major life challenges or small, everyday concerns, Mercedes meets every individual with empathy, understanding and a judgement-free approach and she creates supportive spaces where students feel heard, valued and empowered. Her dedication was especially evident when she worked tirelessly with city officials to secure proper documentation for a Fellow facing green card delays, ensuring they could participate in an international BLF trip. Mercedes’ ability to balance mentorship with genuine care makes her an irreplaceable resource in students’ lives. No problem is ever too big—or too small—for her to help navigate. Through her leadership, BLF is not just a program but a family, where students know they have someone in their corner at all times.