Charlottesville, VA - Charlottesville resident Katherine Cudé is the recipient of the Piedmont Virginia Community College Board Community Service Award.

The award was established in 2006 to recognize PVCC faculty, staff and students who have made significant contributions through volunteer service in Central Virginia or to communities throughout the nation and the world.

Cudé was selected by the PVCC Board in recognition of her volunteer activities with the Student Government Association, including the implementation of the Student Voice Project, an avenue for students to offer suggestions to college administration to improve their PVCC experience. She volunteers with local political organizations, is active in Virginia21 and helped organize "Elect-Her," an event at PVCC for young women interested in running for public office.

This summer, Cudé will participate in the University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership College Leaders Program Class. She is the only community college student admitted to the class of 2013. The Institute prepares the Commonwealth's emerging leaders for public service as candidates for office, government officials and citizen activists in the affairs of their communities, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.

Cudé plans to transfer to U.Va. in the fall and major in political science.