Office of the Dean
Date May 8, 2025
All News

SPH Student Award Winners & Speakers

By Dean Ashish K. Jha

The 2025 student award winners and student speakers for commencement

Dear SPH Community,

I am pleased to announce the 2025 student award winners as well as the community-nominated student speakers for this year’s commencement celebrations! Each awardee and speaker has shown significant dedication to their education, the school and local community. They have proven themselves to be true leaders amongst their peers in public health.

We look forward to celebrating these individuals on Friday, May 23rd, at the School of Public Health Community Celebration from 4 - 6 p.m. in Market Square (College / North Main Street).

We hope you will join our alumni, students, their loved ones, faculty and staff to gather as a community to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating students and welcome public health alumni back to campus for Reunion. A social reception will follow the speaking program.

Please see below for the full list of award winners and student speakers:

2025 Student Award Winners

Academic Excellence

  • Neil Mehta ’25
  • Jenna Grossi OMPH’25

Community Impact Award

  • Samantha Rubey, OMPH’25

Diversity & Inclusion Catalyst

  • Diahmin Hawkins, ScM’25
  • Laini Tuboku-Metzger, MPH’25
  • Amelia Walsh, OMPH’25

Gerontology Center Research Prize

  • Matthew Campos, MPH’25
  • Sirui (Rita) Zhang, MPH’25
  • Emma Beier, MPH’25

Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis

  • Sara Santacruz ’25
  • *Honorable Mention - Melissa Ponce ’25
  • *Honorable Mention - Diane Rakotomalala ’25

Public Health Impact Award

  • Yuliya Velhan ’25
  • Anna Alikani, Ph.D.’25
  • Clarissa Garcia, MPH’25
  • Derrick Webb, MPH’25
  • Mikaela Byers, MPH’25
  • Troy Nash, OMPH’25

2025 Student Speakers

  • Khushi Patel ’25
  • Vivian Uzoechi, MPH’25
  • William Nardi, Ph.D.’25

Congratulations to our award winners and speakers. Thank you for your hard work and service to our school and public health initiatives around the globe!

I hope to see you all on May 23rd as we celebrate the accomplishments of our community members at the 2025 School of Public Health Community Celebration!

Sincerely,

Jha signature

Ashish K. Jha, M.D., MPH
Dean, School of Public Health
Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice