The College honors outstanding graduates with spring 2026 Dean’s Medals

On May 15 and 16, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University will recognize its highest-achieving students from the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences at the spring 2026 convocation ceremonies.

Every semester, departments and schools within The College choose a student whose dedication to their studies stands out among their peers. From published research and honors theses to national fellowships and leadership roles, the awardees have shown they have a bright future in their respective fields and have been honored with the prestigious Dean’s Medal for their academic achievements.

Jack Wingo
Dean’s Medal: American Indian Studies
Major: American Indian studies
Minor: Communication

Jack Wingo transferred to ASU to learn more about different cultural regions and tribal histories beyond his own. Since coming to Tempe, Wingo has worked as an intern with the town of Gilbert, Arizona, through its Native American management internship program, where he helps integrate Indigenous perspectives into local government operations. 

After graduation, he’ll begin a temporary position as a junior management analyst under a town manager assistant.

Emerson (Sheyla) Amaya
Dean’s Medal: Department of English
Major: English (creative writing)

Since 2024, Emerson (Sheyla) Amaya has led several projects during their time at ASU to showcase generational trauma, family history and cultural identity through the lens of poetry. Their works were published in Normal Noise literary magazine and Quirk literary journal, and they were recognized for creative achievement in their collection of poems with the Glendon and Kathryn Swarthout Award in Writing.

Through Barrett, The Honors College, Amaya led personalized reading instruction for elementary students for seven semesters and mentored students to promote reading growth. Amaya will join Teach for America as a corps member in Phoenix starting this summer. They’ll also begin their master’s degree in secondary education with teaching certification at ASU in the fall.

Achintya Jha
Dean’s Medal: Department of Economics
Majors: Economics, computer science

Achintya Jha came from New Delhi, India, to challenge himself academically and to take advantage of the flexibility ASU offered to explore more than one field. To apply the skills he was learning from his degrees, he joined the Student Investment Management Fund, where he was able to engage more directly with markets, manage $1.7 million in funds and see how analytical and technical thinking come together in practice.  

After graduation, Jha will begin his career in quantitative finance at a hedge fund.

Brennen Wise
Dean’s Medal: Department of Physics
Major: Biophysics
Minor: Statistics

Brennen Wise became involved in research projects early on in college, joining Assistant Professor Navish Wadhwa's lab, where he studied the mechanical behavior of the bacterial flagellar motor. Also a Barrett, The Honors College student, Wise has been able to apply theories to new research, leading to a manuscript set for submission to a leading biophysics journal. 

Outside of research, he was heavily involved with student organizations such as the Society of Physics Students, Scholars of Physical Mathematics and he participated in the Sundial Physical Sciences Mentoring Program. 

Wise will head to Yale University to begin his PhD in the biochemistry, quantitative biology, biophysics and structural biology track.

Ava Santiago 
Dean’s Medal: Department of Psychology
Major: Psychology
Minor: Business

Phi Beta Kappa member Ava Santiago has been studying military-related traumas in ASU’s Military Social Science Laboratory (MiSSiLe) since 2023, where she has developed a poster presentation examining the two-factor model of depression and relationship satisfaction in service members and veterans. She is also preparing a manuscript for publication on institutional betrayal and alcohol consumption among military sexual trauma survivors.  

She has received the Psychology Scholar Award and the Serving University Needs Award for her studies and passed her Barrett honors thesis, titled “Examining the Relationship Between Institutional Betrayal and Alcohol Consumption Among Military Sexual Trauma Survivors and the Potential Moderating Role of Race.”

Santiago will begin her PhD in clinical psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences after graduation.

Samantha Emerson
Dean’s Medal: Hugh Downs School of Human Communication
Major: Communication 

Samantha Emerson took advantage of as many opportunities as she could to complement her degree. She studied abroad in London, Dublin and Edinburgh, where she conducted hands-on research comparing European and American communication styles, which highlighted differences in emoji usage and interpretation. 

Emerson also researched online dating and modern relational development, where she analyzed platform effectiveness and the corresponding social implications in order to evaluate the viability of digital dating apps. 

Katie Mendoza 
Dean’s Medal: Technological Leadership
Major: Technological leadership

Katie Mendoza’s academic excellence and personal commitment to growth were what helped her stand out. Throughout her time at ASU, Mendoza worked to apply herself to coursework, research and hands-on technical applications. 

Using what she learned from her technology courses, Mendoza has been able to develop new processes, and she utilized a work variance opportunity for her internship to get a better understanding of the organization she was in. 

Sophia Thomason
Dean’s Medal: School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership
Major: Civic and economic thought and leadership
Minor: Art history
Certificate: Philosophy, politics and economics

Sophia Thomason, a Phi Beta Kappa member, participated in several hands-on experiences, including working as an undergraduate research assistant for several projects, including the Pennsylvania Constitutional Development project at ASU, as well as the book project “Imagination and Civic Education: C.S. Lewis on the Formation of Citizens” and a forthcoming book on 18th-century political thought at the Institute for American Civics. In 2024, Thomason also co-authored over 30 reports for Defending Education.  

After graduation, Thomason will study French political thought in Paris through the Academia Tocqueville program this summer. In the fall, she will return to ASU to complete an accelerated master’s in classical liberal education and civic leadership.

Ellie Higgins
Dean’s Medal: School of Earth and Space Exploration
Major: Earth and space exploration (astrophysics)

Ellie Higgins has played important roles in planetary research throughout her time at ASU. Since 2023, Higgins has been a technician and docent for the Marston Exploration Theater, presenting and programming 3D planetarium shows, as well as a research associate in planetary sciences, where she investigated whether geological features on Venus could preserve remanent magnetization. 

Also a student in Barrett, The Honors College, she worked as an intern for the National Air and Space Museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Science to create an ArcGIS map of geological features, including rivers, lakes and impact craters that might imply past tectonic activity on Saturn’s moon. Her recent thesis, which focused on the magnetic properties of Venus, is already being used by Associate Professor Joe O’Rourke to help propose the first-ever magnetic survey of the planet.

After graduation, Higgins will begin her PhD in earth and planetary sciences at Harvard University. 

Bianca Arreola
Dean’s Medal: School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Majors: Geography (meteorology-climatology), geographic information science
Certificate: Atmospheric sciences

Bianca Arreola used the skills she learned in the classroom to contribute to community-centered research while at ASU. In 2024, she participated in the Southwest Urban Integrated Field Laboratory’s HeatMappers program, where she helped pilot “Hestia Traffic,” an app developed by Northern Arizona University to collect traffic data in Phoenix and Flagstaff. 

Through her volunteer work at ASU’s Weather Observation Station, Arreola gained hands-on experience using meteorological instruments and observing how weather data is collected in real time. She hopes to obtain a GIS internship after graduation and work as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in the future. 

Giovanni Barberio
Dean’s Medal: School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies
Major: History
Minor: Italian

Giovanni Barberio has been involved in historical research since 2024. He’s completed projects at ASU, the Tempe History Society and the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, where he has trained research volunteers, cataloged items and recorded testimonies. His Barrett, The Honors College thesis researched Italian memorial policy, creation and implementation in Turin, creating a historical map to compare Italian memorials and monuments to oral history.

After graduation, Barberio will continue working on his accelerated master’s degree in history. 

Valeria Tuka
Dean’s Medal: School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Major: Anthropology

Gilbert, Arizona-native Valeria Tuka’s experience in the Early Start program coming into ASU helped shape her undergraduate experience. In the program, students were encouraged to gain research experience through the Research Apprenticeship Program. There, Tuka completed multiple opportunities and poster presentations and followed up with two field seasons in South Africa and Phoenix to learn more about fieldwork and data collection.

Tuka also helped found and lead the Experiential Archaeology Club to give students experience working with different experimental archaeology through activities like knapping, clay sculpting, ochre processing and more.

Celeste Bryant
Dean’s Medal: School of International Letters and Cultures
Major: German
Certificate: European studies

Celeste Bryant participated in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program shortly before coming to ASU, setting her on a path toward language and cultural exchange. She has since taught German at the ASU Language Fair, and through German 101 courses has studied abroad in Berlin. She is currently completing her internship with the Chandler Preparatory Academy, teaching German to high school students.

Bryant has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award in Germany for the upcoming school year. She hopes to work in international education in the future. 

Sophia Cerna
Dean’s Medal: School of Life Sciences
Major: Biological sciences (genetics, cell and developmental biology)
Minor: Data science

First-generation graduate Sophia Cerna found her calling through Assistant Professor Madeline Andrews’ lab, where she spent two years exploring human cerebral cortex organoids. Cerna also worked with brain-like structures grown from reprogrammed human cells. Her research offered new insight as it examined how cells use energy during development, exploring more realistic conditions than those typically used in traditional lab settings.

This fall, Cerna will head to Stanford University to pursue a PhD and continue to explore developmental and regenerative biology and how science might repair or regenerate human tissues. 

Benjamin Jeter
Dean’s Medal: School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Major: Mathematics

Benjamin Jeter shone with his academic record in his degree program. While at ASU, he was a part of the team that revived the university’s International Collegiate Programming Contest team. The group went on to the world finals, where ASU placed 17th globally out of 140 total teams, earning a Highest Honors award.

Jeter, also a Barrett, The Honors College student, received an honorable mention in 2024 at the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, a prestigious competition hosted by the Mathematical Association of America. He also found success in the United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad: A 2022 winner, a 2023 top winner and a United States of America Mathematical Olympiad 2024 silver medalist. 

Madeline Linden
Dean’s Medal: School of Molecular Sciences
Majors: Chemistry, mathematics

Madeline Linden liked chemistry and math, but didn’t know how intertwined they’d later become in her studies. After she joined Assistant Professor Justin Earley’s research group, the project she worked on — which involved quantum bits in carbon nanotubes — sat at the intersection of quantum science, materials chemistry and advanced spectroscopy.

Also a Barrett, The Honors College student, she took what she learned in class and, as a result, began teaching it to others, both as a teaching assistant in physical chemistry labs and as a volunteer at the Arizona Science Center, working with children and families. 

Linden will head to the California Institute of Technology to pursue her PhD in physical chemistry.

Mirei Shikama
Dean’s Medal: School of Politics and Global Studies
Majors: Global studies, English (creative writing)
Minor: Political science

Mirei Shikama, also a Barrett, The Honors College student, maintained a busy schedule as an undergraduate student. She served as a junior fellow for the School of Politics and Global Studies to develop a curriculum on service learning, and surveyed active student impact with Teaching Associate Professor Henry Sivak’s geopolitics course. Shikama was also a research fellow for the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict and participated in the civic education program Young Leaders Summer Institute.

More recently, she has worked as an assistant policy analyst for ASU’s Enterprise Policy Analysis Group to research high-priority policy issues. After graduation, she will continue working on her accelerated master’s degree in political science. 

Hailey Boiarsky
Dean’s Medal: School of Social Transformation
Majors: Gender, women and sexuality studies; justice studies; philosophy (morality, politics and law); political science
Minor: Criminology and criminal justice
Certificate: Disability studies

Hailey Boiarsky, a third-generation Sun Devil, set her sights on law school after graduating high school. Also a Barrett, The Honors College student, she served as senate president for the Undergraduate Student Government, writing over 130 pieces of legislation to improve the student experience and helped manage a $3.5 million budget. She also interned at the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender, assisting with trial preparation and observing court proceedings.  

She also served as a University Hearing Board member and continued volunteering in adaptive theater with the city of Mesa, which supports performers with disabilities in full-scale productions. As a junior, she defended her honors thesis on the power of popular media in influencing public opinion, using the movie “Barbie” as a case study. 

Four degrees, a minor and a certificate later, Boiarsky will begin her first semester at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in the fall. 

Miriam Lara Zamora
Dean’s Medal: School of Transborder Studies
Majors: Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o studies, urban planning
Certificates: Border studies, geographic information science

Miriam Lara Zamora has embodied the spirit of the School of Transborder Studies as an undergraduate student. Working as a student worker in the school, she has helped plan and prepare for the Migratory Student Summer Academy program for K–12 students. She also worked as an instructional assistant to support students in introductory classes such as Latinas/os in the U.S. and Latinx Cultural Studies.

She participated in numerous research experiences, including a recent Humanities Lab course where she conducted qualitative research on culinary traditions, ingredients and cooking techniques to inform original recipe development and create a community-based recipe book. 

Zamora is currently in the process of obtaining her accelerated master’s degree in transborder studies. 

Madelyn Forquer
Dean’s Medal: T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics
Major: Sociology 
Minors: Asian languages (Chinese), justice studies 

Madelyn Forquer wanted to work with people, finding that fit through sociology after changing her majors. She went on to work in the Child Development Lab to spend time with young children and learn how early environments influence human development. She also served as a teaching fellow for ASU’s Universal Learner Courses, teaching Sociology 101 to Title I high school students. 

After graduation, Forquer plans to work for the state of Arizona to help improve the quality of life for residents. She also plans to return to ASU to pursue a master’s degree focused on public policy. 

Hope Jacobson
Dean’s Medal: Department of Aerospace Studies
Major: Business (global politics)
Minor: Military leadership

Hope Jacobson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving ASU’s Air Force ROTC Detachment over the course of her time as a cadet. Jacobson guided 307 cadets, leading the largest Cadet Wing in Detachment 025’s history. A Barrett, The Honors College student, she helped oversee a modernized digital platform and helped streamline training and oversight within AFROTC. In her roles as flight commander and field training exercise planning officer, she developed and executed a comprehensive training curriculum for 70 cadets at a major field training exercise. 

Jacobson initiated a cadet-led sexual violence prevention certification program in partnership with ASU professionals, and secured university funding to further the program’s goals. She has also been recognized through numerous honors, including the General Charles McGee Leadership Award, the Meritorious Service Award and multiple Cadet of the Month distinctions.

William Waddington
Dean’s Medal: Department of Military Science
Major: Organizational leadership (project management)
Minor: Military leadership

William Waddington has helped lead and develop a battalion of 137 cadets over the past year in ASU’s Army ROTC unit. He became a mentor for many of his peers, devoting time to coaching junior cadets in mission planning, leadership techniques and personal development. Outside of the classroom, Waddington graduated from Air Assault School through the U.S. Army in 2024 and earned his German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. 

A two-time Cadet of the Year, Waddington has been selected for the prestigious Medical Service Officer branch in the United States Army and will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in May.

Liam Bartlett
Dean’s Medal: Department of Naval Science
Major: Biomedical engineering (biomedical devices)
Minor: Military leadership

Throughout his time at ASU, Liam Bartlett dedicated himself not only to the university’s Navy ROTC program in the U.S. Marine Corps but also to research aimed at advancing the understanding of disease to improve the lives of others. As a magnetic resonance lab research assistant, Bartlett contributed to studies examining metabolism and white matter diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of improving MRI capabilities and outcomes for those affected by these conditions.

His senior capstone project led him to working with fellow engineering students in collaboration with Mayo Clinic to improve hospital overbed trays to enhance patient experiences and usability for nurses. Over the past year, he has served on the EPICS eNABLE Project as a documentation lead for 3D-printed prosthetics, hand-tailored for clients in Sri Lanka.