News and Information
Students Recognized with the Fall 2023 Graduate School Citations
December 12, 2023
On December 8th, The Graduate School honored individuals who have distinguished themselves in graduate education at Grand Valley State University. The Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence are given to recognize the accomplishments of our students and faculty.
The Graduate School Citation Awards recognize excellence in academic performance in several categories. Graduate students are nominated for these awards by staff or faculty members, advisors, graduate program directors, and departmental chairs or school directors. Faculty members are nominated by the students. The Associate Vice-Provost for the Graduate School reviews the nominees and approves the final selection.
Grand Valley State University is extremely proud of the accomplishments of these graduate students and graduate faculty members. Congratulations to all!
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM
Seidman College of Business
Jessica Henkel, Business Administration
College of Education & Community Innovation
José Capeles, Public Administration
Abbey Cook, Health Administration
Colleen Hill, Literacy Studies
Ashley Knaffle, School Counseling
Rueben Riley, Educational Leadership
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Scott Hanson, Applied Computer Science
David Pearson, Health Informatics
Joshua Veldheer, Engineering
College of Health Professions
Autumn Cannon, Speech Language Pathology
Terese Feldpausch, Occupational Therapy
Jenna Kesh, Physician Assistant Studies
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Faith Kuzma, Biology
Hannah Taylor, Communications
Eléna Tislerics, Cell & Molecular Biology
OUTSTANDING MASTER’S THESIS
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Bibash Lama, Engineering
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Davis Fray, Biology, Annis Water Resources Institute
OUTSTANDING FINAL PROJECT
College of Education & Community Innovation
Katie O’Dell, Special Education
Erika Scheu, Literacy Studies
College of Health Professions
Sarah Corder, Occupational Therapy
Allison Range, Occupational Therapy
Spencer Jackson, Occupational Therapy
Alayna Kagande, Occupational Therapy
Lydia Stout, Occupational Therapy
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Joseph Tekelly, Communications
Jordan Yokubonus, Cell & Molecular Biology
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
George Ebeling, Applied Computer Science
Rebecca Gonser, Engineering
OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION
College of Education & Community Innovation
Sarah Hassan, Social Work
College of Health Professions
Shannon Metzger, Occupational Therapy
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Daniel Dietsche, Applied Computer Science
Michael Doran, Engineering
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Nathan Dugener, Biology, Annis Water Resources Institute
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR PROFESSION
College of Education & Community Innovation
Narelle Hickmon, Criminal Justice
Monica Patton, Health Administration
Kayla Poma, Social Work
Dominique Rickett, Educational Specialist in Leadership
Kam Robles, Public Administration
College of Health Professions
Stephanie Lester, Speech Language Pathology
Torey Todd, Physician Assistant Studies
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Grayson Kosak, Biology
Bridie McClusky, Cell & Molecular Biology
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO GVSU
College of Education & Community Innovation
Robyn Grant, Health Administration
Samuel Jacobs, Public Administration
Kelley McGuckin, Social Work
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Varsha Jawahar, Cell & Molecular Biology
College of Health Professions
Noelle Kraus, Physician Assistant Studies
Sydney Spotts, Occupational Therapy
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Upoma Saga, Engineering
EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT GVSU
College of Education & Community Innovation
Ketashia Berrien, Social Work
John Jawara, Health Administration
College of Health Professions
Trevor Dunn, Physician Assistant Studies
Madelyn Schrot, Speech Language Pathology
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mary Parr, Biology
EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Marianne Kelso, Biology
Elena Tislerics, Cell & Molecular Biology
MAGS DISTINGUISHED THESIS NOMINEES
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jennifer Kinne, English
Maggie Petersen, Biology, Annis Water Resources Institute
OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Daniela Marini, Integrative Studies
College of Education & Community Innovation
Greg Warsen, Educational Leadership and Counseling
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Nicole Harpold, Nursing
OUTSTANDING MENTORSHIP AWARD
College of Education & Community Innovation
Laila McCloud, Educational Leadership and Counseling
Joel Wendland-Liu, Integrative, Religious, & Intercultural Studies
College of Health Professions
Cara Singer, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Jennifer Smart, Audiology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Christina Quick, Nursing
Dianne Slager, Nursing
Padnos College of Engineering & Computing
Wael Mokhtar, Engineering
Abishek Kamaraj, Engineering
KIMBOKO INCLUSION AWARD
Kirkhof College of Nursing
Marie VanderKooi, Nursing