Nija Jasman DeLeon-Saunders '26 Receives the 2026 Pathfinder Award

Bay Path University presented Nija Jasman DeLeon-Saunders with the 2026 Pathfinder Award, recognizing her extraordinary academic achievement, leadership, perseverance, and commitment to service while balancing family, career, and community responsibilities.

A resident of Hartford, Nija earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through The American Women’s College at Bay Path University. While working full time for the State of Connecticut in the Department of Consumer Affairs and raising five sons, she achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Nija’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. She demonstrated meaningful leadership as treasurer of her children’s school PTO, volunteered with her church and a local food pantry, and served as a member of the Resident and Community Advisory Group for the Ascend North End Pipeline initiative in Hartford. Her dedication to expanding access to essential resources in underserved communities reflects the compassion, integrity, and leadership that define the Pathfinder Award.

Presented annually to a graduate of The American Women’s College, the Pathfinder Award honors a student who achieves academic excellence while balancing the demands of family life, career, and community service. Recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and embody perseverance, leadership, and the courage to forge their own path toward achieving their goals.

The award was established by John Davis in honor of his wife, Robyn Davis, Bay Path University Trustee Emerita and Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2010. This year’s recipient received a beautifully inscribed glass globe created by nationally known local artist Josh Simpson, a Bay Path honorary degree recipient, symbolizing the journey of a courageous pathfinder.

Through her resilience, service, and unwavering commitment to her family and community, Nija Jasman DeLeon-Saunders '26 exemplifies the spirit and purpose of the Pathfinder Award.