News and Information
Students Recognized with the Winter 2025 Graduate School Citations
April 11, 2025
The selection process reflects a collaborative effort, with graduate students being nominated by faculty, advisors, program directors, and departmental leaders, while faculty members were nominated by students in recognition of their invaluable contributions to teaching, mentorship, and inclusion. The nominations underwent a thorough review process conducted by the Interim Vice Provost for the Graduate School, who approved the final selections. This celebration highlights the university's commitment to academic excellence and its pride in the remarkable accomplishments of its graduate community. Congratulations to all the award recipients!
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM
College of Computing
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Bhavya Shri Meda, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
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Brooke Walters, Data Science and Analytics
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Fiyinfoluwa Olajide, Cybersecurity
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Louis Marx, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
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Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Applied Computer Science
College of Education and Community Innovation
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Ashmita Dhakal, Health Administration
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Bex Takacs-Britz, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
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Erica Austin, Literacy Studies
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Joseph Oosterman, Public Administration
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Lisa Moorhouse, Social Work
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Rashawny Alic, Criminal Justice
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Robyn Gardner, Educational Leadership
College of Health Professions
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Anja Whitehouse, Athletic Training
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Ashlee Wheaton, Clinical Dietetics
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Brittany Daniel, Doctor of Audiology
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Chloe VanTassell, Clinical Dietetics
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Josiah Thompson, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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Mariel Lewis, Medical Dosimetry
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Aidan Rosinksi, Applied Statistics
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Alona Chekalina, Cell and Molecular Biology
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Amanda Anka, Communications
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Ashley Davies, Biostatistics
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Natalie Aalderink, School Psychology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Elizabeth Rouse, Doctor of Nursing Practice
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Jennifer Schnepp, Nursing
Padnos College of Engineering
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Abigail Douglas, Engineering
Seidman College of Business
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Alan Snyder, Professional Business Administration
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Chris Knape, Executive Business Administration
OUTSTANDING MASTER’S THESIS
College of Health Professions
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Rachael Vannette, Clinical Dietetics
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Ruth Yeboah, Communications
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Seth Hiers, Biology
Padnos College of Engineering
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Prithwi Raj Das, Engineering
OUTSTANDING FINAL PROJECT
College of Computing
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Caleb Cheruiyot, Applied Computer Science
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Pranitha Presingu, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
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Shannon Wasson, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
College of Education and Community Innovation
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Jaydenn Knepp, Higher Education
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Jessica DeBoer, Literacy Studies
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Miranda Young, Educational Leadership
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Ophelia Zornu, Social Work
College of Health Professions
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Ashley Stroop, Athletic Training
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Erika Ippel, Athletic Training
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Faith Smith, Public Health
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Irelyn Ankenbauer, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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Natalie Graber, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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Rebekah Simmons, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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William Burrel, Doctor of Physical Therapy
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Maxwell Ritchie, Communications
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Sony Penupothula, Cell and Molecular Biology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Andrea Catto, Doctor of Nursing Practice
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Kimberly Cook, Nursing
OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION
College of Computing
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John Moses Bollarapu, Data Science and Analytics
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Ken Muchira, Data Science and Analytics
Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Sarah Geoghan, Doctor of Nursing
Padnos College of Engineering
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Allan M. Ngaruiya, Engineering
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR PROFESSION
College of Education and Community Innovation
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Abigail DeMeo, Public Administration
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Alexis Harvey, Public Administration
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Alyssa Beil, Social Work
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Cole Myers, Health Administration
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Rashawny Alic, Criminal Justice
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Ryan Engle, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
College of Health Professions
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Claudia Thelen, Clinical Dietetics
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Jacqueline Clark, Public Health
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Rylee Cooper, Doctor of Physical Therapy
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Hannah Bekius, Cell and Molecular Biology
Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Jenifer VanWyngarden, Doctor of Nursing Practice
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO GVSU
College of Computing
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Ian Curtis, Data Science and Analytics
College of Education and Community Innovation
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Albert Okwei, Public Administration
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Mackenzie Green, Social Work
College of Health Professions
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Claire Lynch, Public Health
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Elizabeth Kalafut, Clinical Dietetics
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Lauryn Carlisi, Clinical Dietetics
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Marissa Kolp, Doctor of Physical Therapy
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Taylor Carlson, School Psychology
EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT GVSU
College of Education and Community Innovation
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Albert Okwei, Public Administration
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Daniela Centeno, Social Work
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Kobe Rhynes, Health Administration
College of Health Professions
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Ashley Perryman, Public Health
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Mackenzie Allen, Clinical Dietetics
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Sydney Washington, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Padnos College of Engineering
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Erin Searcy, Engineering
EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY
College of Education and Community Innovation
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Sidney Sparks, Social Work
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Tai Verbrugge, Public Administration
College of Health Professions
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Mary Fournier, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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Skylar Clark, Clinical Dietetics
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Terin Hieftje, Public Health
Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Chelsi Linzner, Nursing
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Samuel Terranova, Doctor of Nursing
Jennifer Rose Palm Memorial Award for Excellence in Service to Graduate Education
- Heather Koster, School of Interdisciplinary Health
Outstanding Teaching Award
Kirkhof College of Nursing
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Dr. Emily Bemben, Nursing
Outstanding Mentorship Award
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Dr. Anthony Spencer, Communications