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

Bhavya Shri Meda, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

Brooke Walters, Data Science and Analytics

Fiyinfoluwa Olajide, Cybersecurity

Louis Marx, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Applied Computer Science

College of Education and Community Innovation

Ashmita Dhakal, Health Administration

Bex Takacs-Britz, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership

Erica Austin, Literacy Studies

Joseph Oosterman, Public Administration

Lisa Moorhouse, Social Work

Rashawny Alic, Criminal Justice

Robyn Gardner, Educational Leadership

College of Health Professions

Anja Whitehouse, Athletic Training

Ashlee Wheaton, Clinical Dietetics

Brittany Daniel, Doctor of Audiology

Chloe VanTassell, Clinical Dietetics

Josiah Thompson, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Mariel Lewis, Medical Dosimetry

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Aidan Rosinksi, Applied Statistics

Alona Chekalina, Cell and Molecular Biology

Amanda Anka, Communications

Ashley Davies, Biostatistics

Natalie Aalderink, School Psychology

Kirkhof College of Nursing

Elizabeth Rouse, Doctor of Nursing Practice

Jennifer Schnepp, Nursing

Padnos College of Engineering

Abigail Douglas, Engineering

Seidman College of Business

Alan Snyder, Professional Business Administration

Chris Knape, Executive Business Administration

OUTSTANDING MASTER’S THESIS

College of Health Professions

Rachael Vannette, Clinical Dietetics

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Ruth Yeboah, Communications

Seth Hiers, Biology

Padnos College of Engineering

Prithwi Raj Das, Engineering

OUTSTANDING FINAL PROJECT

College of Computing

Caleb Cheruiyot, Applied Computer Science

Pranitha Presingu, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

Shannon Wasson, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

College of Education and Community Innovation

Jaydenn Knepp, Higher Education

Jessica DeBoer, Literacy Studies

Miranda Young, Educational Leadership

Ophelia Zornu, Social Work

College of Health Professions

Ashley Stroop, Athletic Training

Erika Ippel, Athletic Training

Faith Smith, Public Health

Irelyn Ankenbauer, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Natalie Graber, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Rebekah Simmons, Doctor of Physical Therapy

William Burrel, Doctor of Physical Therapy

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Maxwell Ritchie, Communications

Sony Penupothula, Cell and Molecular Biology

Kirkhof College of Nursing

Andrea Catto, Doctor of Nursing Practice

Kimberly Cook, Nursing

OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION

College of Computing

John Moses Bollarapu, Data Science and Analytics

Ken Muchira, Data Science and Analytics

Kirkhof College of Nursing

Sarah Geoghan, Doctor of Nursing

Padnos College of Engineering

Allan M. Ngaruiya, Engineering

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR PROFESSION

College of Education and Community Innovation

Abigail DeMeo, Public Administration

Alexis Harvey, Public Administration

Alyssa Beil, Social Work

Cole Myers, Health Administration

Rashawny Alic, Criminal Justice

Ryan Engle, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership

College of Health Professions

Claudia Thelen, Clinical Dietetics

Jacqueline Clark, Public Health

Rylee Cooper, Doctor of Physical Therapy

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Hannah Bekius, Cell and Molecular Biology

Kirkhof College of Nursing

Jenifer VanWyngarden, Doctor of Nursing Practice

EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO GVSU

College of Computing

Ian Curtis, Data Science and Analytics

College of Education and Community Innovation

Albert Okwei, Public Administration

Mackenzie Green, Social Work

College of Health Professions

Claire Lynch, Public Health

Elizabeth Kalafut, Clinical Dietetics

Lauryn Carlisi, Clinical Dietetics

Marissa Kolp, Doctor of Physical Therapy

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Taylor Carlson, School Psychology

EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT GVSU

College of Education and Community Innovation

Albert Okwei, Public Administration

Daniela Centeno, Social Work

Kobe Rhynes, Health Administration

College of Health Professions

Ashley Perryman, Public Health

Mackenzie Allen, Clinical Dietetics

Sydney Washington, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Padnos College of Engineering

Erin Searcy, Engineering

EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY

College of Education and Community Innovation

Sidney Sparks, Social Work

Tai Verbrugge, Public Administration

College of Health Professions

Mary Fournier, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Skylar Clark, Clinical Dietetics

Terin Hieftje, Public Health

Kirkhof College of Nursing

Chelsi Linzner, Nursing

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

Dr. Emily Bemben, Nursing

Outstanding Mentorship Award 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Dr. Anthony Spencer, Communications