Nissiya will be among the students recognized at the annual James E. McLeod Honors and Awards Ceremony as 2018 Ralph Bunche Scholars. The Award is named in honor of Ralph Bunche who was a United Nations mediator and 1950 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Recognition is given for outstanding academic achievement to undergraduate students of African and African American descent. This Award recognizes the academic achievement of freshmen who have completed at least 14 graded units in the semester and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. It also recognizes undergraduates who have completed at least 14 graded units in the semester and have a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher for at least 3 consecutive semesters.