The Chancellor's Scholar recognizes students with the highest cumulative grade point average during their academic careers. Congratulations Michelle and Matthew!
2023 Sherry Queener Graduate Student Excellence Award
Elise Daugherty
School of Liberal Arts, Museum Studies (Master’s)
“During her time in the Museum Studies program, Elise has taken advantage of multiple experiential learning opportunities which have resulted in important contributions to the community and the cultural life of the city. Most notably is her participation as a volunteer on the FBI Art Crime Team and her aid to support the cultural heritage repatriation of thousands of cultural objects and human remains of over 500 individuals…Her mentors praise her energy, leadership, organizational abilities, and action-oriented disposition. She is well poised to impact her field.”
- One of Elise’s nominators
Meredith Bauer
School of Science, Psychology (PhD)
“I’d like to point out the importance of Meredith’s research for understanding the science of Addiction Neuroscience associated with binge and compulsive alcohol use, which affects the health of tens of millions of Americans. Her future plans are ambitious, and I fully expect that Meredith will grow to be a leader in this field, making a significant impact on our understanding of Addiction Neuroscience. Her productivity as a graduate student argues strongly that she will be successful in reaching her goal of being an accomplished academic researcher, mentor, and teacher in the field of Neuroscience.” - One of Meredith’s nominators
2023 Chancellor's Scholar
Michelle Loftin
Master’s in Biology
“Michelle is a truly well-rounded scholar who has performed extraordinarily well in three arenas in her master’s program; 1) as a student in graduate classes in biology, 2) as a teaching assistant in undergraduate Biology laboratories, and 3) as a graduate assistant in my own laboratory.” – One of Michelle’s nominators
Matthew Smart
Ph.D. in Earth Sciences
“Matt’s academic successes and the high quality of his PhD thesis has led him to landing a faculty position right after graduation at the US Naval Academy, where he is an Assistant Professor of Oceanography himself! Starting from service and ending there is a phenomenal arc of his graduate experience, and he continues doing research and training the next generation of students.” – One of Matthew’s nominators
Asma Azabi
School of Dentistry
Natasha Bragg
School of Social Work
Jackeline Bravo
School of Liberal Arts
Taul Cheong
School of Liberal Arts
LilyAnne Grieve
School of Medicine
Mariana Maciel
School of Engineering and Technology
Tim McFarlane
School of Public Health
Donya Nemati
School of Health and Human Sciences
Thye Ngo
School of Nursing
Sarah Nikkhah
School of Informatics
Madeline Peyton
School of Public Health
Falen Pope
School of Philanthropy
Samantha Tippen
School of Medicine
2023 Elite 50
Congratulations to all the Elite 50 award winners!
Each year, IUPUI honors 50 graduate and professional students who demonstrate excellence beyond the classroom—in areas such as campus leadership, scholarly work, and community engagement. These IUPUI Elite 50 represent the best of the best among IUPUI’s graduate and professional students and capture everything that makes IUPUI exceptional.
2023 William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion award recipients
The William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion honors graduates who have excelled in their commitment to the community through activities such as service learning, volunteerism, community/social issue advocacy, community work-study, and political engagement.
Read about these honorees on the Center for Service and Learning's Plater Medallion 2023 recipient webpage.
Christina Dantam
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Kate Kollman
School of Nursing
Alejandra Méndez
School of Medicine
Alyssa Pier
School of Liberal Arts
Kevin J. Prather
School of Social Work
Haleigh Rigger
School of Social Work
Jake Whiteside
School of Medicine
2023 University Distinguished Ph.D. Dissertation Award
Wenzhe Jiao
"I have had the honor of knowing Wenzhe for over six years as his Ph.D. advisor, and I can confidently say that he is the most gifted student I have ever had the privilege of working with. Currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wenzhe has demonstrated exceptional creativity, research skills and intellectual independence." Wenzhe's advisor
Madeline Hellmich (School of Liberal Arts) and Kayleigh Jennings (School of Medicine) were each awarded with the 2023 Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award, an institutional competition which entails rigorous review by a panel of faculty. Both were also nominated to the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools for the regional Distinguished Master’s Thesis Competition, which will occur in spring 2024.
Read more about Madeline and KayleighOther Outstanding Student Awards
2023-2024 Wells Graduate Fellowship
2023 Lieber Memorial Associate Instructor Award
Aishat Motolani
Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, IU School of Medicine
“During my scientific career, I have worked with approximately 80 students, fellows, and technicians, and Aishat is one of the best. Her ability to take on leadership roles, pioneer initiatives, and be a team player is outstanding on multiple levels…Her excitement for research and enthusiasm for being a contributing member to the Indiana University community is evident to anyone she works with. She is continually sought for her expertise, collegiality, and motivation from individuals across the IU School of Medicine and beyond.” – Aishat’s nominator
Read about the Wells Graduate Fellowship
Andrew Cale
Ph.D. Candidate Anatomy Education Track, IU School of Medicine
“Overall, faculty in my department report that Andrew’s teaching far exceeds expectations, as evidenced by the high ratings he receives in his course evaluations, which often match or even exceed those of tenured faculty whose appointment is specifically education…His work embodies what it means to be an effective and dedicate educator, and I am certain he will continue his dedication to teaching throughout the remainder of his career.” – Andrew’s nominator
Read about the highly-respected Lieber Memorial Associate Instructor Award2023 IUPUI Women's History Month Recognition Award Winners
Graduate and Professional Students
Kristina Johnson-Yates, Ph.D. program, Urban Education Studies, IUPUI School of Education
Karen DSouza, Ph.D. program, Computer and Information Science, IUPUI School of Science