Professional Awards
National and International Awards
Outstanding International Education Initiative Award (2024)
American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International The Outstanding International Education Initiative Award recognizes outstanding programs and educational initiatives that support international education and global dimensions of student development. American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International is a major international comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. It is a leading U.S.-based scholarly professional association headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. This award is presented by the Association’s Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development. |
NASPA Region I Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award (2023)
NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award acknowledges an individual who embraces the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to create learning environments that are enriched with diverse views and people. The recipient has strong and sustained record of professional and/or civic involvement in activities that promote diversity and inclusion in education and/or the community; actively engaged in advocating for and advancing diversity and inclusion in the profession through one’s administrative and/or academic work; reputation for taking a stand on critical issues related to diversity and inclusion even at risk to one’s reputation and vocation; and whose work has “broken barriers.” NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is U.S.-based international organization headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. It is the largest association in student affairs with a diverse network of professionals and institutions across the globe. NASPA Region I encompasses the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont in the USA; and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. |
Equity and Social Justice Award: Change Agent (2023)
National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) The Equity and Social Justice Awards were established to provide the conference with an important way to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate members of the shared community who demonstrate exemplary service in three categories i.e., Mentorship, Scholarship, and Change Agent. The change agent award honors an individual who would be considered a scholar and/or change agent in the field of diversity, inclusion, equity, or social justice. The National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) is a U.S.-based dynamic annual conference that creates space for individuals and campus teams to work collaboratively under the guidance, tutelage and expertise of recognized and effective scholars, practitioners, and change makers. It serves as the leading national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in higher education. The NCORE conference supports the complex task of creating and sustaining comprehensive institutional change designed to improve racial and ethnic relations on campuses and to expand opportunities for educational access and success. |
Outstanding Contribution to Student Leadership Programs Award (2023)
NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education The Outstanding Contributions to Student Leadership Programs Award recognizes a professional staff or faculty member’s work at the campus level in the area of student leadership programs. The award recognizes individuals who have made contributions above and beyond the assigned duties of their position and have had a significant impact on student leadership programs at their institution. NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is U.S.-based international organization headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. It is the largest association in student affairs with a diverse network of professionals and institutions across the globe. This award is presented by the Association’s Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community. |
NASPA NOW Professional Award [Innovation] (2022)
NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education This early career achievement award recognizes the exceptional contributions from new professionals and graduate students within NASPA and their impact upon the student affairs profession. NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is U.S.-based international organization headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. It is the largest association in student affairs with a diverse network of professionals and institutions across the globe. |
Outstanding Social Justice Educator, Trainer, or Mentor Award (2022)
American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International This award recognizes an individual who is personally committed to social justice education and/or activism and is an outstanding educator, trainer, or mentor to other professionals or students in social activism. American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International is a major international comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. It is a leading U.S.-based scholarly professional association headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. This award is presented by the Association’s Commission for Social Justice Education. |
Annuit Coeptis Award - Emerging Professional (2022)
American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International Annuit Coeptis Award – Emerging Professional is an early career achievement award given to recognize individuals who have already demonstrated evidence of the potential, through their work, for significant contribution to the field of student affairs in the areas of administrative service, teaching, innovative practices, scholarship, and leadership. American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – College Student Educators International is a major international comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. It is a leading U.S.-based scholarly professional association headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. |
NASPA Region IV-East Outstanding New Professional Award (2020)
NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education This early career achievement award is given for exemplary performance, active involvement in NASPA, and significant promise for future leadership roles in the student affairs profession. NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is U.S.-based international organization headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. It is the largest association in student affairs with a diverse network of professionals and institutions across the globe. NASPA Region IV-East encompasses the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, and the Canadian province of Ontario. |
Edward S. Blankenship Outstanding Staff Award (2020)
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars The Edward S. Blankenship Outstanding Staff Award is given for superior scholastic achievements, outstanding leadership, efforts to promote excellence in global education, and support of the development and activities of a local chapter of Phi Beta Delta. Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars is a scholarly and professional society, unique because it is resolutely interdisciplinary and international. Phi Beta Delta is dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in global education. The society’s mission is to recognize achievement in international educational interchange and to serve as a catalyst to increase the recognition, credibility, and importance of the international experience, and develop a network of individuals involved in international experiences. |
NASPA NOW Professional Award [Inclusion] (2019)
NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education This early career achievement award recognizes the exceptional contributions from new professionals and graduate students within NASPA and their impact upon the student affairs profession. NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is U.S.-based international organization headquartered in Washington D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education. It is the largest association in student affairs with a diverse network of professionals and institutions across the globe. |
Outstanding Academic Leader Award (2018)
Golden Key International Honour Society This award, from the International Leadership Council (ILC) of the Golden Key International Honour Society, recognizes outstanding performance in the society’s three pillars of academics, leadership, and service. Particularly, this award recognizes outstanding leadership through service to Golden Key within the academic community or the community-at-large and personal academic achievements |
Institutional Awards
Staff Member of the Month Award (2022)
The University of Mississippi |
Exceptional Performance Award (2020)
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, University of Iowa |
New Advisor of the Year Award (2018)
Division of Student Affairs, Texas A&M University This award recognizes individuals who, within 2 years of becoming an advisor to a recognized student organization at Texas A&M University, have clearly distinguished themselves by providing exemplary guidance, support, and dedication |
Student Awards
National and International Awards
David Merchant International Student Award for Achievement (2017)
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars An annual award administered by the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars. This award is given to an international student who is an active member of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society, who has demonstrated great interest and involvement in international activities and superior scholastic achievement. Only one award is given every year. Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars is an academic and professional society, unique because it is resolutely interdisciplinary and international. Phi Beta Delta is dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in global education. The society’s mission is to recognize achievement in international educational interchange and to serve as a catalyst to increase the recognition, credibility, and importance of the international experience, and develop a network of individuals involved in international experiences. |
The President’s Volunteer Service Award (2015)
The United States Corporation for National and Community Service This national honor is offered in recognition of volunteer service. Established in 2003, the Award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups, and families who have met or exceeded required volunteer hours through their service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. The US Funds for UNICEF nominated me for this award for my service to children around the world |
Member of the Year Award (2015)
US Funds for UNICEF This award is given to a UNICEF Campus Initiative Club member that has demonstrated commitment, passion, and reliability for the progress towards ZERO, and for the service in helping to educate, advocate, and fundraise for world's children. This member recruits and supports new members, promotes club events, and is an ambassador for the club in the community |
University Awards
Eppright Outstanding International Student (2018)
Texas A&M University This award is the highest honor bestowed on a currently enrolled international student at Texas A&M University. Every year the university recognizes one student for their excellent academic records, outstanding contributions to leadership, and promotion of international awareness through involvement in a wide array of university and community activities |
Fourth Place | 2018 Annual Brazos Valley Worldfest
Cultural Display booth: “World Cultures” Texas A&M University Brazos Valley Worldfest is an annual community festival hosted by Texas A&M University that promotes and celebrates the international diversity and heritage of the Brazos Valley. Every year, over 60 international student organizations, individuals, and professional groups participate in the festival |
Third Place | 2017 Annual Brazos Valley Worldfest
Cultural Display booth: “World Cultures V: Beyond the Geographical and Political Boundaries” Texas A&M University Brazos Valley Worldfest is an annual community festival hosted by Texas A&M University that promotes and celebrates the international diversity and heritage of the Brazos Valley. Every year, over 60 international student organizations, individuals, and professional groups participate in the festival. |
Guseman Award (2017)
Graduate and Professional Student Council, Texas A&M University The Guseman Award is an annual achievement award that recognizes a graduate or professional student member of Texas A&M University that has made outstanding contributions to the success and prosperity of the welfare of the graduate student body at Texas A&M University |
Second Place | 2016 Annual Brazos Valley Worldfest
Cultural Display booth: "World Cultures IV: Manifestation of Human Values, Beliefs, & Behaviors” Texas A&M University Brazos Valley Worldfest is an annual community festival hosted by Texas A&M University that promotes and celebrates the international diversity and heritage of the Brazos Valley. Every year, over 60 international student organizations, individuals, and professional groups participate in the festival. |
Diversity Service Award (2015)
Texas A&M University The Diversity Service Awards acknowledge and honor the efforts of students, faculty, and staff who strive to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity in its multitude of forms at Texas A&M University. The recipients must have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the value of diversity, outstanding efforts to promote an environment free from bias and discrimination, and have worked to provide students, faculty, and staff a university experience rich in perspectives and opportunities to learn from each other |
First Place | 2015 Annual Brazos Valley Worldfest
Cultural Display booth, “World Cultures: A Kaleidoscope of Cultures” Texas A&M University Brazos Valley Worldfest is an annual community festival hosted by Texas A&M University that promotes and celebrates the international diversity and heritage of the Brazos Valley. Every year, over 60 international student organizations, individuals, and professional groups participate in the festival. |
Margaret Rudder Community Service Award (2014)
Texas A&M University This award is the highest honor bestowed on a currently enrolled student at Texas A&M University for community service. The Margaret Rudder Community Service Award seeks to recognize and award those who significantly impact their community and, as a result, are themselves impacted by that contribution |
Buck Weirus Spirit Award (2014)
Texas A&M University This award is the highest honor bestowed on a currently enrolled student leader at Texas A&M University. The Buck Weirus Spirit Award honors students who demonstrate high INVOLVEMENT, create positive EXPERIENCES throughout the Aggie community, IMPACT student life at Texas A&M and enhance the Aggie SPIRIT. Unlike other awards, the Buck Weirus Spirit Award recognizes those students who make contributions to the university through participation in student organizations, Aggie traditions, and university events. It recognizes students for their outstanding contributions to student life programs at Texas A&M University |
Class Star Award for Leadership (2014)
Class Councils, Texas A&M University Class Stars is a university-wide awards program, started by the Class Councils, to annually recognize outstanding members of each class. The awards come in five categories: Academics, Athletics, Leadership, Service, and Spirit. One student per class will be selected in each category, for a total of 20 awards across the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. This program is unique in that students are nominated by their peers |
First Place | 2014 Annual ArtFest
For Warali paintings, “Story of Aggieland in Maroon & White” Memorial Student Center Visual Arts Committee | Texas A&M University ArtFest is an annual student art competition and exhibition sponsored by the Memorial Student Center's Visual Arts Committee at Texas A&M University. Every year, the top three winners of ArtFest are exhibited in the James R. Reynolds Student Art Gallery, along with the other special mentioned entries, and receive a prize. |
Class Star Award for Service (2013)
Class Councils, Texas A&M University Class Stars is a university-wide awards program, started by the Class Councils, to annually recognize outstanding members of each class. The awards come in five categories: Academics, Athletics, Leadership, Service, and Spirit. One student per class will be selected in each category, for a total of 20 awards across the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. This program is unique in that students are nominated by their peers |
First Place | 2013 Annual Brazos Valley Worldfest
Cultural Display booth: “World Cultures: What We Have In Common” Texas A&M University Brazos Valley Worldfest is an annual community festival hosted by Texas A&M University that promotes and celebrates the international diversity and heritage of the Brazos Valley. Every year, over 60 international student organizations, individuals, and professional groups participate in the festival. |
High School Awards
Outstanding Student of the Year Award
S.A.M. English Medium School, Nandurbar, India. Given to a student for their achievements in extracurricular and academic activities, for bearing good conduct, and for demonstrating leadership through leadership roles in various student clubs while maintaining good academic records |
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