Ceremony
Processional
National Anthem
Sarah Sarver
Welcoming Remarks
Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dean
Distinguished Speaker Address
Sarah Swim, B.P.H.
Master of Public Health ’26
Recognition of Graduates
George Hack, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Associate Dean for Educational Affairs
Master of Science, Biostatistics
Kyle Richard Duffy
Isaiah Jacob Grayam
Lucia Maria Jimenez
Nicole May Kindel
Hyun-Jun Lee
Tracy Lin
Shuhui Qin
Kaily I Rosal
Kent G Slinker
Jianing Song
Sophia Maria Teklitz
Yuwen Wei
Chuanhao Yang
Mallory Elizabeth Yee
Xia Zhao
Master of Arts, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Megan Nicole Allen
Marisa Isabel Arellano
Alyssa Marie Auderer
Emma T Boloutchi
Jonathan Tyler Brito
Bailey Fawcett
Diana Carolina Ferreiro
Chloe Isabella Flossic
Carson Fontana
Melanie Gonzalez Fumero
Ragan Elizabeth Grantham
McKenzie Annalena Heikens
Elizabeth Frances Huff
Julia Nereyda Javier
Alexys Paige Leishman
Alyssa Celeste Maisto
Charlotte Marie Maloney
Laurynn Taylor McGee
Delaney Lynn Mohesky-Martin
Macy Monsour
Trish-Ann Trina Parkinson
Natalia Elizabeth Schurr
Hannah Elise Showalter
Caroline Grace Smith
Hannah Suissa
Catherine Leala Valencia
Alexandra Isabella Walters
Olivia Marie White
Master of Health Science, Environmental and Global Health
Shaymaa Abushabab
Trystan Alek Bordeau
Carlos Antonio Cordero Corretjer
Master of Science, Epidemiology
Anjoli J. Armstrong
Robyn Noel Memphis
Cole Micah Mohanna
Joel Caleb Rowe
Gerik W Tushoski-Alemán
Master of Health Administration
Cristoniel Santos Abrenica
Zona Ahmed
Austin Glen Armbruster
Brennen Jon Bishop
Hannah Brown
Christine Chong
Alivia Cullu
Caia E’aurian Davis
Rachel Katherine Donly
Helen Irene Eisenberg
Hannah Michelle Fliess
Juliana Greer
Tamara Racquel Gregory
Aaliyah Marie Hernandez
Bailey Mika Howard
William Frank Gallese III
Michael Joseph
Nabila Kabir
Loretta Del Carmen Morgan
Erin Elizabeth Solomon Norris
Tatiana Marie Odasz
Muskan Falgunbhai Patel
Lauren Ashley Rapavy
Hannah Eve Rutstein
Manouchca Megan Saintilus
Madeline Frances Swift
Bailey Chelan Watson
Grace Yun
Master of Public Health
Ruth A Adeyemi
Meghan Rae Aguerreberry
Victoria Samantha Alonso
Emma Lauren Anderson
Mary Anthony
Ryan Michael Athay
Brittany D Barbeau
Paige Nicole Beckey
Anita Beijer
La-Shaun Ariel Bryan
Zihan Cao
Alexandria Nicole Cashman
Amanda Catherine Cotter
Tony Eduard El-Rady
Jake Benjamin Feigenbaum
Hannah Patricia Fetko
Margaret Elizabeth Flores
Patricia Gonzales Maia Da Fonseca
Emma Alyce Formet
Elijah Freedman
Shreya Gadikota
Gretel Garcia
Sophia Layla Amro Gazze
Michelle Geier
Ellie S. Giardino
Aubrey Mackenzie Graydon
Katherine Sarah Grissett
Acacia Starr Hart
Emilee Noelle Hauser
Hannah Fechtel Jury
Maya Marie Kelly
Sophia Michelle Keschner
Atia Khan
Cassandra Kuhn
Britney Marie LaBorde
Emilie Joan Lestrange
Melissa Christa Lewis
Carson Rafael Llorente
Wilnie Lormejuste
Neha Madamanchi
Richard P Madolid
Alexander Malik
Mya Amani Maybank
Jakob Meredith
Jesse Evalyn Meyer
Jayabharath Reddy Onteddu
Jeel Parimal Patel
Nicole Marie Perry
Mackenzie Cheyenne Porter
Precious De Ann Williams Powell
Sejal Dakshina Ramlogun
Karin Rashid
Ronald J Renuart Sr.
Carli Nicole Rodriguez
Santiago Ojeda Sainz
Jillian Angela Sendin
Kathryn Michelle Stroud
Sarah Valerie Swim
Anna Nicole Swygert
Aidan Ravi Taschner
Elizabeth Hailey Teresi
Macy Caroline Thompson
Justine Torres
Aleeyah Uddeen
James Carlton Van Sickle
William Winslow Waples
Sofia Isabel Wilson
Sarah Isabella Wittich
Adrianna Maria Zambrano
Master of Science, Psychology
Tyler Ann Busch
Rebecca Lynn Greenberg
Hannah Hoogerwoerd
Faith Marie Kimmet
Alexa Cristian Valko
Tanvi Verma
Nathaniel Tobias Wydra
Bachelor of Health Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Amira Sadiq Alkoriji*
Brittney Caroline Bailey*
Katelyn Rose Barkman*
Bridget Mary Louise Barnao
Brody Michael Bertone*
Eryn Drew Brazlavsky*
Deirdre Aine Yuying Breen***
Nina Faye Burt***
Talia Paige Cartwright*
Chloe Anne Chang*
Isabella Rose Colosimo*
Ashley Nicole Comesanas*
Reese Ann Comprosky*
Madison Brooke Curtin*
Makenzie Leigh Daniel*
Brianna Renee Daunhauer*
Kaitlyn Grace DePani*
Ruby Elizabeth Doran*
Alexis Yvette Feher*
Julia Ashlyn Fendell*
Riley Caroline Fraunfelter*
Cassandra Angele Garcia*
Ginelys Ginel*
Daniella Renee Gomez*
Kyli Nykole Gooden*
Maya Jordan Grill*
Amanda Virginia Grossman*
Kelly Lynn Held-Arruda
Caterina Marie Hernandez*
Jacqueline Grace Hoffman***
Kyra Melissa Antje Howell
Mackenzie Ruth Igdalsky*
Kaily Rose Jimenez*
Elizabeth Grace Jones*
Ivana Elenia Jordan*
Hannah Elizabeth Kauffman*
Jeremy Labrador*
Brooklin Louise Leccese*
Alyssa Nicole Lopez
Hannah Elizabeth Loy
Sarah Jade McCartney*
Erin Anne McEvoy*
Olivia McNeill***
Erin Alexandra Meaney*
Samantha Eve Mednick
Hannah Kathryn Mehr*
Annemarie Grace Meier*
Jillian Dora Mersky*
Megan Elizabeth Meyer*
Mya Nicole Necolettos*
Stacy Leigh Norman*
Kathryn Spencer Norris*
Amanda Tavany Noy*
Whitney Caroline Pepe*
Sophia Lily Perez*
Truc Thanh Pham*
Lauren Maria Picciolo*
Grace Rodriguez***
Trinidad Rojas*
Sophia Alexa Salem*
Jesenia Santana*
Ava Rebekah Schlussel*
Emme Rose Schnell*
Sophie Olivia Spangrud*
Nathan Miles Strain
Alla Zemskih Stubina*
Molly Rebecca Taylor*
Erin Kathleen Vandiver*
Chaya Shehani Wijewardane*
Alexander James Williams*
Jaime Michele Willis*
Alafia Young-McLune*
Caroline Leann Zetterower*
*cum laude **magna cum laude ***summa cum laude
(cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude are tentative and subject to final grades.)
Bachelor of Health Science
Julia Lynn Abbaticchio*
Maria Grecia Rodriguez Acosta
Lucy Abigail Adams*
Marilyn Elizabeth Aguila*
Jacqueline Nicolasa Ajche*
Anela Ajkic*
Juniper Joy Anaston*
Paige Catherine Antolick*
Faith Anna Armitage*
Alexis Marie Augustin*
Amanda Marie Ayoub*
Kayla Nicole Baloyra*
Aakanksha Bandarupalli*
Kristin Lien Barnes*
Daniela Barreto*
Alexandra Batista*
Claire Elizabeth Bender*
Devyn Nicole Bernstein*
Sofia Teresa Besil***
Sophia Isabelle Blanco*
Hannah Elizabeth Blanton*
Camila Del Boca*
Meher Bookseller*
Devon Alexander Borg**
Adley Elizabeth Boston*
Sydney Brooke Bouchard*
Karsyn Avery Bratten*
Parker Reese Brown*
Brittney Vi Bui*
Jelianys Ramos Burgos*
Hailey Marie Burns*
Alexandra Caballero*
Sofia Victoria Cabanillas***
Mia Valentina Cabrera***
Gabriella Cacciapuoti*
Lizbeth Janely Campos*
Isabel Cherie Cannella***
Ashley Marie Cardona*
Jack Bailey Carranza*
Maite Alberdi Carro*
Ashley Brooke Carson*
Krystine A Carter*
Gabriela Carvajal*
Josemiguel Iturri Carvo*
Victoria Rae Catalano*
Kendall Lauren Chastain*
Kennedy Jananne Chester*
Archisha Rajkumar Chityal***
Raegan Amor Cintron*
Jeniffer Jean Claude*
Chloe Jayne Claxton
Reese Emerson Cohn*
Manoucheca Commandant*
Emma Leigh Crammer*
Armando Manuel Cruz*
Melissa Eileen Cruz*
Alexis Noelle Cunningham*
Krista Ann Curcio*
Brianne Carrie Cutler*
Carolyn Frances Daly*
Haden Edward Davidson*
Jimmy Charles Davis*
Kate Rose Davis*
Griffin Michael Deane*
Isabella Delgado*
Jamie Cristine Delgado*
Emma Grace Dent*
Alyssa Rose DePaola*
Isabella Rose Deters*
Samantha Lynn Devino*
Ryan James Devito*
Ava Nicole Devorace*
Hallie Tia Dickson*
Sophia Louise Donovan***
Avery Grace Doty*
Madelyn Helene Eason*
Brooke A East*
Annika Dona-Maria Ettienne*
Brooke Madelyn Evans*
Alyssa Lauren Fennen***
Owen Conlin Ferenc*
Sophia Keira Ferguson*
Nicolas Michael Fernandez*
Madison Grace Fiske*
Ethan Alexander Fleming*
Julie Oliveira Fontan*
Lily Danielle Frank***
Eitan Furman*
Hannah Michelle Gallagher*
Hitika Jignesh Gandhi*
LeAhyari Amari Garcia*
Thalia De la Caridad Garcia*
Anusha Garg*
Sara Lauren Gerstenfeld*
Lillian Grace Ghozali*
Giuliana Della Marie Giannone*
Harleen K Gill***
Delaney Katherine Goodger***
Brandon Thomas Grassie***
Payten Keel Gray*
Braydon K Greene*
Anna Lavonne Grenevicki*
Markram Albert Groenewald**
Abigail Alyssa Gunn*
Madison Victoria Haire***
Angela Grace Hanna*
Ava Elizabeth Hanzelka*
Emily Grace Hart*
Lucy Madelyn Hazelett*
Eden Rey Hechter*
Kamili A Henry*
Emily Abigail Hernandez*
Arabella Persephone Hertelendy*
Clune Hill*
Kierstyn Rebecca Hill*
Ann Marie Hitpas*
Mollie Elana Hoffman*
Maheera Aanmol Hossain**
Lillie Montine Howard*
Kathryn Lucille Humes***
Stella Reese Hurwitz*
Marlena Ceilia Hutchinson*
Emely Irias**
Shirley Jiang*
Joy Abigail Johnson*
Jethin Varghese Joji*
Delaney Gray Kasher*
Kylie Neijna Katims*
Alexandra Nicole Kaye*
Tamia Breanna Kennedy*
Aliya Amira Khan*
Leila Marie King*
Violet Alene Knobel*
Sriya Choudary Kommineni*
Laura Koppitch*
Sofia Jordan Koves*
Valeria Michelle Kovtun*
Julie Marie Kramer*
Kiana Brooke Krutchaiyan*
Sydney Elizabeth Kuzmick*
Madison Eugenia Langguth*
Erik Lavandeira*
Ethan Le*
Preston Le*
Nelia Yii Xun Leong*
Alexis Skye Levine*
Brooke Ellen Lewis*
Ketura Dergemanie Pierre Louis
Rebecca Louise Ludy*
Gabriella Luz Luna*
Hannah Marie Mannino*
Jordyn Alexis Mason*
Zofa Minza Matondo*
Hannah K Maus*
Natalia Maya***
Anna McCarney*
Hope Caroline McCrary*
Katie Allison McDonnell*
Elise J Mecca*
Sarah Elizabeth Mill*
Melissa Miri*
Angelina Monfiletto*
Tyler Joseph Montgomery***
Simran Moorjani*
Michael Morales*
Mallory Morrell*
Samantha Abigail Mullins*
Isabella Mae Muñiz**
Amy A Naing*
Stessie Narcisse*
Katie Nessa*
Isabel Gia Han Ngo*
Hoang-Thy Ho Nguyen*
Cole Michael Nixon*
Joseph Shane Oliver*
Carlos Javier Ortiz*
Mia Rachel Pardo*
Suhyun Park*
Marley Parks*
Ayush Kalpesh Patel*
Brianna Guadalupe Patino*
Ariana Linette Majano Perez*
Don Pham*
Laynee Ann Plawa*
Alexandra Madison Polo*
Hector Alejandro Pomar*
Abigail Christy Pope
Tatum Reese Pope*
Alexander William Poultney*
Adria Prapuolenis*
Ella Hope Previti*
Tiffany Mai Quach*
Victoria A Rabacchi*
Sia Rajput***
Ashna Amar Rajyagor-Bulsara*
Caitlin Ashleigh Raymond*
Jansen Eric Reece*
Rio Eileena Reynolds
Anika Rideout*
Elizabeth S Riley*
Danielle Madison Robins*
Ariana A Robinson*
Katherine J Rochman*
Emily Alyse Rodriguez*
Kevin Gabriel Rodriguez*
Nicholas Rafael Rodriguez*
Elysia Kaitlin Rogers*
Tiffany Ross*
Deven Jaan Roylance*
Gabriella Sabag
Zoe Leah Sakellarios*
Rebecca Danielle Salamon*
Jordyn Victoria Salbe*
Dilani Kamalika Samarasinghe*
Servio Sanchez-Herrera*
Jae Olivia Sarner***
Samantha Brooke Schube*
Kelly Alyssa Van Sciver*
Emily Scoufis*
Sophia Victoria Scribani*
Adriana Noelle Santiago Secrest*
Abby Reese Settimio*
Kh’Nautica J Shakir*
Julia E Shepp*
Leila Gayle Shugart*
Shedeline Similien
Malida Joana Sisouphanouvong*
Brenda Marquez Solano***
Nathalie Soler**
Divya Somayaji*
Liliana Madora Soto
Shaila Jenna Spritzer*
Kaylee Elizabeth Stacy*
Hailey Michelle Stafford*
Paige Elena Stauffer*
Eileen Stefaniak*
Carlee Renate Stenger*
Hadassah Liora Sternfeld*
Mikayla Rose Stesney*
Grace Sarra Stoker*
Claire Louise Sugar*
Varsha Suresh*
Kathryn Isabella Tamares*
Brenna Grace Tango
Hilary Liana Taylor*
Lauren Ashley Taylor*
Maxim Victor Thellab*
Candalyn Denae Thompson*
Victoria Monteiro Tieze*
Abigail Morgan Townsend***
Hongloan Thi Tran*
Leah Grace Turkasz*
Sahira Sahar Uddin***
Danielle Vanunu*
Jessica Maria Vitola*
Rebecca Ann Vogt***
Daniel Aaron Weinberger*
Anna Katherine Wells*
Kaylee Michelle Wesner*
Christa Halaina Wetjen*
Emily Kathryn Wild*
Brooke Ann Williamson*
Briley Rose Winfrey*
Rachel Joyce Wong*
Brooke E Wright*
Elli Nicole Wu*
Hunter Martin Young*
Julia Jiayu Yuan*
Hailey Renee Zangla*
Luke Xinyou Zhang*
Eros Zhao*
*cum laude **magna cum laude ***summa cum laude
(cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude are tentative and subject to final grades.)
Bachelor of Public Health
Saad Hussain Ali*
Claudia Valentina Alvarez***
Caitlyn Nance Annunziato*
Amari J Batiste*
Ariane Shanoy Bignall*
Amaya Mellori Black*
Dana Carolina Jinete Calvo*
Dara Brynne Cannon*
Adrianna Celani*
Alina Alice Chacko**
Ava Elizabeth Cohen*
Theresa Inze Cook*
Carolina Cordon-Morales
Laura Anne Cullen*
Caleb Burton Curtis*
Ava Grace Davis*
Ceschley Minerva Denis*
Ryleigh Alyssa Duarte*
Isabella Won Dy*
Davante Mario Ellington*
Graham David Fetterolf*
Katherine Amparo Fontan*
James Michael Fygetakis-Gollop*
Elena Kantiana Gener*
Liliana Lizeth Gonzalez-Alvanez***
Fauzia Haque*
Alexander Redding Hill***
Kathryn Lynn Holmes*
Daniela Maria Hoyos*
Julie Hua*
Islande Isaac*
Zarah Sofia Kerawala
Eugene Joseph Kim*
Sophia Larralde*
Amanda Victoria Lopez*
Hannah Rubina McCartney*
Emma Ann Millar**
Ethan Asbery Miller*
Lauren Julia Minor*
Dylan Alexandra Mitas*
Johanna Moncy*
Gabriella Angelie Montilva
Sierra Grace Mulholland*
Preston James Norfleet*
Kevin O Nwozo*
Krish Manish Parikh*
Asha Nandini Puthanveetil*
Tracy Qu***
Matthew J Rahrig*
Hannah Alexis Rider*
Alexa Avrey Rivers*
Stephanie Mathilda Robert*
Melanie Elizabeth Rodriguez*
Hayden Joelle Rosania*
Alexandria Joy Roth*
April Rose Torres Salva*
Chloe Elizabeth Seifert*
Anna Noelle Shannin*
Ashley Michelle Shannon*
Andrea Elana Reginaldo Sison*
Jade Lizet Thurston
Ann Maria Titus*
Eva Maria Ventrella*
Abbie Gayle Wooley*
Kensey Marie Yates***
*cum laude **magna cum laude ***summa cum laude
(cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude are tentative and subject to final grades.)
Closing Remarks
Alma Mater
Recessional
About our speakers
Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H., is the Dean and Robert G. Frank Endowed Professor at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions. She joined the university in July 2022 as the sixth dean of the college since its founding in 1958. While the college represents many different disciplines, they all share a common focus on prevention and a commitment to a four-part mission of education, research, service and clinical endeavors.
Dr. Virnig’s research examines how patient factors and system factors combine to influence care and outcomes. Her research focuses on cancer care, women’s health, end-of-life care and the measurement of racial and ethnic disparities in care and health outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries. Her work has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She serves on the American Cancer Society’s Council for Extramural Research. She is the author or co-author of more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, including an article on breast cancer surgery that was named one of the 10 best papers of the decade (1999-2009) by the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
She is a member of the leadership team for the Research Data Assistance Center, or ResDAC, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-funded program providing free assistance to academic, government and nonprofit researchers interested in using Medicare and Medicaid data in their work.
She earned both her Ph.D. and M.P.H. in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, Dr. Virnig held positions at the University of Miami and Dartmouth Medical School’s Center for Evaluative Clinical Sciences. She previously served as a Professor in the division of health policy and management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and as the school’s Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research.
Sarah Swim, B.P.H.
Sarah Swim is graduating from the University of Florida Master of Public Health program with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She holds undergraduate degrees in Public Health and Political Science, and she has worked in diverse fields to promote positive health outcomes in underserved communities. She is passionate about improving access to healthcare, reducing health disparities and disease prevention. This is reflected in her most recent work conducting a statewide rural health clinic needs assessment in collaboration with the Florida Rural Health Association and Suwannee River Area Health Education Center. Results will be used to improve the health of thousands of residents.
After graduation, she will participate in the Ferguson RISE Graduate Fellowship Program through the Kennedy Krieger Institute. As a fellow, she will collaborate with researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence to conduct research on respiratory viral molecular epidemiology. In this role she hopes to contribute to meaningful research that promotes the development and equitable dissemination of novel prevention and treatment tools for respiratory viral pathogens.
She would like to thank her family, friends and the faculty of the College of Public Health and Health Professions for supporting her academic journey and future endeavors.
George Hack, Ph.D., M.Ed.
George Hack, Ph.D., M.Ed., is the Associate Dean for Educational Affairs at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Technology from the University of Florida and has designed online and face-to-face instruction in a variety of environments, including secondary, undergraduate, graduate, professional, adult vocational training and military schools.
At the University of Florida, Dr. Hack has served in various roles, including working at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as a coordinator of extension nutrition education programs, teaching graduate and undergraduate technology courses in the College of Education, and serving as assistant director for instruction and information systems in the Health Science Center Libraries. He has also collaborated on the Compendium for Children’s Health with a team of international physicians, setting up an online environment for pediatricians to receive instruction in community pediatrics.
Dr. Hack’s research interests include human-computer interactions in learning as well as pedagogy influenced by situated and grounded learning theories. In addition, he has served 10 years in the military with four years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Ceremony officials and staff
Platform party
Beth Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dean and Robert G. Frank Endowed Professor
Sarah Swim, B.P.H.
Graduate, Master of Public Health ’26
David Fuller, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
George Hack, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Educational Affairs and Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Jamie Pomeranz, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Mattia Prosperi, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for AI and Innovation and Professor, Department of Epidemiology
Michael Marsiske, Ph.D.
Professor and Interim Co-Chair, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Lori Waxenberg, Ph.D.
Clinical Professor and Interim Co-Chair, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Sarah McKune, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Environmental and Global Health
Stephen Kimmel, M.D.
Dean’s Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology
Lee Revere, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Christine Myers, Ph.D.
Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy
Krista Vandenborne, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
Charles Ellis, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Benjamin Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Ph.D. Program Director and Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Global Health
Keith Benson, Ph.D., M.H.A., M.B.A.
Director, Master of Health Administration and Clinical Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Erta Cenko, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology
Brittney Dixon-Daniel, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Director, Bachelor of Public Health and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Steven Foti, Ph.D.
Director, Biostatistics Graduate Studies, and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics
Carolyn Hanson, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Karen Hegland, Ph.D.
Director, Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Ara Jo, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Program Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Lindsey King, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Director, Social and Behavioral Sciences program, and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Zhoumeng Lin, Ph.D.
Director, M.P.H. Environmental Health concentration, andAssociate Professor, Department of Environmental Health
Michael Moorhouse, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Yuhan Mou, Ph.D.
Director, Bachelor of Health Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Robert Parker, Ph.D.
Coordinator, M.P.H. Biostatistics concentration and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics
Alana Rawlinson, Ph.D.
Director, Honors Program and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Jose Reyes, Au.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Jerne Shapiro, M.P.H.
Coordinator, M.P.H. Epidemiology concentration and Instructional Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology
Sophie Spratley, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor for Educational Leadership
Heather Stark, M.D., M.P.H.
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Global Health
Yulia Levites Strekalova
Coordinator, M.P.H. Population Health Management concentration, and Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Julia Varnes, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Director, Master of Public Health and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Caroline Waddell, Ph.D.
Director, M.H.S. in One Health and Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Global Health
Gaia Zori, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Coordinator, M.P.H. Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration, and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Lara Zwilling, L.M.H.C.
Instructional Assistant Professor, undergraduate programs
Marshals
Olivia Ardizzone
Mark Bishop
Tracy Centanni
Natalie Chichetto
Robert Cook
Kayla Fernandez Cummings
Sanaz Darcy
Robert Doyle
Beth Gibson
Brittany Gibson
Heidi Horwitz
Sarah Judge
Rebecca Kidwell
John Lednicky
Kristen Lewandowski
Nicole Marlow
Lauren McDonald
Andre McFadden
Lisa McNeil
Michela Mir
Sharon Nelson
April O’Neal
Emily Oliva
Aprinda Queen
Kelly Rock
Mary Starkey-Smith
Dawn Stewart
Linda Struckmeyer
Jared Tanner
Hongwu Wang
Alix Wheeler
Photos by Ashleigh Lucas and Lindsay Gamble
Honors and awards
Academic honors
The university offers three levels of honors: cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude. At the College of Public Health and Health Professions, these honors are defined as:
Cum laude
3.5 upper-division grade point average on all courses taken at UF beginning the semester after accumulating 60 credits.
Magna cum laude
3.75 upper-division GPA and successful completion of HSC 4969 and 4970, including research poster presentation and thesis, or SPA 4931, including thesis and depending on major, and no student conduct or honor code violations. Dean’s review of thesis designates honors level.
Summa cum laude
3.85 upper-division GPA in addition to all requirements at the magna cum laude level.
Cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude are tentative and subject to final grades.
Bachelor’s and master’s level awards
Biostatistics
Outstanding MS Online Student
Xia Zhao
Outstanding MS On-Campus Student
Sophia Teklitz
College
Jewel Ahrano Scholarship
Jessica Ralph
Paige Zolecki
Judson A. Clements Memorial Scholarship
Delaney Ding
Breona Green
Paul M., Laura L., and Amy L. Deutsch Endowment in Life Care Planning Scholarship
Mohammad Alissa
Anna F. Gutekunst Scholarship
Bruna Good God
Sam and Connie Holloway Endowed Scholarship
Eugene Kim
Johanna Moncy
Kaplan-Stein Endowed Scholarship
Breona Green
Perri Family Fellowship
An Le
Peoples-Sheps Endowed Scholarship
Mya Maybank
Horace and Vivian Sawyer Endowment
Anita Beijer
Ronald J. Spitznagel Service Fellowship
Islande Isaac
Bruce Thomason Family Memorial Scholarship
Brooke Jennings
Undergraduate Teacher of the Year
Laurie Gauger, Ph.D.
Dean’s ambassadors
Paige Antolick
Aakanksha Bandarupalli
Sophia Blanco
Alina Chacko
Jeniffer Jean Claude
Amanda Czubkowski
Brooke Evans
Liliana Gonzalez-Alvanez
Alexandra Kaye
Tamia Breanna Kennedy
Eugene Joseph Kim
Whitney Caroline Pepe
Laynee Plawa
Emily Alyse Rodriguez
Nicholas Rafael Rodriguez
Dean’s Scholars
Undergraduate
Liliana Gonzalez-Alvanez
Jacqueline Hoffman
Rebecca Vogt
Graduate
Calean Hook
Alexandra Rodriguez
Delta Omega honorary society 2026 inductees
Students
Sophia Amro Gazze
Emma Anderson
Ryan Athay
Anita Beijer
Michelle Geier
Aubrey Graydon
Daniela Hoyos
Melissa Lewis
Jesse Meyer
Karin Rashid
Mohammed Ruzieh
Megan Still
Kensey Yates
Honorary
Scott Darius
Faculty
Tracie Baker, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Alumni
Valentina Gomez, M.P.H.
PHHP Days
Outstanding Posters
Master of Public Health Capstone
Gretel Garcia
Bachelor of Health Science
Lily Frank
Bachelor of Health Science-Communication Sciences and Disorders
Jacqueline Hoffman
Bachelor of Public Health
Claudia Alvarez
People’s Choice Poster Award
Brandon Grassie
Outstanding Oral Presentations
Audiology/Communications
Anna Handley
Biostatistics
Yuhang Zhou
Clinical Psychology
Nathaniel Wydra
Environmental Health/One Health
Emma VanderMeulen
Epidemiology
Kayla McNeely
Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Allison Carrier
Master of Public Health Capstone, In-Person
Jakob Meredith
Master of Public Health Capstone, Online
Hannah Jury
Rehabilitation Science
Todd Williams
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Alexandra Rodriguez
Environmental and Global Health
Outstanding Master’s in Health Science Student
Olivia Sterantino
Outstanding Master of Public Health Student, Environmental Health
Aidan Taschner
Outstanding Master of Public Health Student Service Award, Environmental Health
Emma Vandermeulen
Epidemiology
Best All-Around Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Student
Emma Anderson
Excellence in Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Academics
Hannah Jury
Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Student Ambassador Award
Katherine Grissett
Health Services Research, Management and Policy
Master of Health Administration Award for Service
Hannah Brown
Master of Health Administration Distinguished Graduate Award
Alivia Cullu
Master of Public Health, Population Health Management Outstanding Graduate of the Year
Ryan Athay
Master of Public Health, Population Health Management Academic Excellence Award
Sophia Amro Gazze
Master of Public Health
Master of Public Health Exemplary Student
Ryan Athay
Dr. John J. Benton Endowed Scholarship
Adrianna Zambrano
MPH Peoples-Sheps Endowed Scholarship
Mya Maybank
Concentration awards
Outstanding Master of Public Health Student, Environmental Health
Aidan Taschner
Outstanding Master of Public Health Student Service Award, Environmental Health
Emma Vandermeulen
Best All-Around Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Student
Emma Anderson
Excellence in Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Academics
Hannah Jury
Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Student Ambassador Award
Katherine Grissett
Outstanding Master of Public Health Graduate of the Year, Population Health Management
Ryan Athay
Master of Public Health, Population Health Management Academic Excellence Award
Sophia Amro Gazze
Outstanding Master of Public Health Graduate of the Year, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Santiago Ojeda-Sainz
Master of Public Health Academic Excellence Award, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Sarah Swim
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Outstanding Master of Public Health Graduate of the Year, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Santiago Ojeda-Sainz
Master of Public Health Academic Excellence Award, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Sarah Swim
University
UF Alumni Association 2026 Outstanding Student Scholar
Liliana Gonzalez-Alvanez
UF Hall of Fame
Ketura Pierre Louis
Johanna Moncy
UF International Center
Outstanding Undergraduate International Student Award
Arianna Campbell
UF David and Wanda Brown Center for Leadership & Service
Presidential Service Award
Devon Borg
Mia Cabrera
Ashley Cardona
Gabriela Carvajal
Alina Chacko
Brianne Cutler
Alyssa Fennen
Kylie Finkelstein
Julie Fontan
Thalia Garcia
Maheera Hossain
Ruth Joseph
Alexandra Kaye
Elena Lundquist
Natalia Maya
Nicole Mederos
Ari Mehta
Melissa Miri
Amanda Noy
Sujan Parab
Jeel Patel
Don Pham
Alexandra Polo
Grace Rodriguez
Chloe Seifert
Hadassah Sternfeld
UF Graduate School
Graduate Student Teaching Award
Alexandra Rodriguez, M.P.H.
UF Center for Teaching Excellence
Exemplary Online Teaching Award, Student Engagement
Molly Jacobs, Ph.D.
A primer on caps and gowns
Today’s academic regalia evolved from a style of dress worn by members of guilds and religious orders in medieval times.
At the University of Florida, the lining of the hood, which is worn by graduate degree candidates, has a blue chevron on an orange background to represent the university colors. Faculty members who hold degrees from another institution wear the colors of their alma mater. The color of the velvet edging on the academic hood represents the particular degree held by the wearer. The Doctor of Audiology and Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees have Rhodes blue edging; Doctor of Physical Therapy is teal; Ph.D. degrees are dark blue; and the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ master’s degree hoods are salmon pink.
Distinctions among sleeves indicate the type of degree held by the wearer. A long, pointed sleeve indicates a bachelor’s degree, while a long, closed sleeve with a slit near the upper part of the arm designates a master’s degree. A round, open sleeve with crossbars identifies a doctoral degree.
Colored tassels on the degree candidates’ caps indicate their school or college. Bachelor’s degree graduates of the College of Public Health and Health Professions wear salmon tassels.
Cords represent academic honors at the undergraduate level or may signify participation, completion or membership of campus programs or organizations.
You may see these cords and other regalia at today’s ceremony:
UF honors: orange and blue double strand cord. One cord represents cum laude, two cords signify magna cum laude and three cords denote summa cum laude.
Combined B.P.H./M.P.H.: salmon colored cord
Dean’s ambassadors: multi-colored cord
Delta Omega: salmon stole with black trim
First generation: green double strand cord represents students who are the first in their family to receive a college diploma.
LEAP mentorship program executive board: white stole with blue embroidery
LEAP mentors: dark blue and light gray cord
Public Health Student Association executive board: white stole with blue and orange embroidery
Sources: University of Florida commencement materials and individual programs