Graduate College honors 2026 Staff Awards for Excellence recipients

Graduate student success at Arizona State University is supported by a network of staff members who provide guidance, stability, innovation and care. On May 21, the ASU Graduate College honored nine outstanding staff members during the 2026 Graduate College Support Staff Awards for Excellence Luncheon at the University Club.

Hosted annually, the awards celebrate staff members whose work strengthens graduate education and enhances the student experience across the university. This year, more than 100 nominations were submitted across five categories recognizing excellence in collaboration, innovation, student support and leadership.

During the event, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate College Elizabeth Wentz reflected on the essential role support staff play in graduate education.

“Graduate support staff are often the first to answer questions, solve problems, guide processes and, perhaps most importantly, provide stability and encouragement that allow our students and programs to thrive,” Wentz said during her remarks.

The 2026 awardees represent a wide range of roles and responsibilities across ASU, united by a shared commitment to supporting graduate students and strengthening the university community.

Pursuing a full-time MBA often requires students to put major parts of their lives on hold. They may step away from careers or relocate their families before making the adjustment to the demands of an intensive academic environment. Supporting students through those moments of transition is what motivates Natalie Zermeno.

At the W. P. Carey School of Business, Zermeno works closely with students as they balance the academic, professional and personal pressures that can come with graduate school. In addition to advising students and monitoring academic progress, she leads the Executive Connections mentorship program, connecting MBA students with senior industry leaders and experienced professionals.

She also created a resilience training workshop that gives students practical tools to manage stress, adapt to challenges and build long-term confidence.

“My biggest motivator in supporting graduate students is understanding the significant commitment they make to pursue their long-term goals,” Zermeno said.

Colleagues praised Zermeno for helping create a graduate student experience that prioritizes well-being, connection and personal growth alongside academic and career success.

“I feel fortunate to be part of students’ journeys and continually inspired by their resilience, ambition and willingness to take risks to create new opportunities for themselves,” she said.

Many of the initiatives that expand opportunities for graduate students require collaboration across multiple offices, policies and systems. Kristy Jacobs North has become a trusted partner for the Graduate College in helping those pieces come together.

As associate registrar, Jacobs North was recognized with the Outstanding Collaboration Award for her work on initiatives ranging from international doctoral partnerships and dual-degree programs to transcript innovations related to prior learning. Colleagues praised her ability to navigate complex regulations while bringing together teams across the university to find solutions.

Her behind-the-scenes work has helped advance graduate education at ASU while ensuring academic integrity, compliance and operational excellence.

“I am so honored to have received this award,” Jacobs North said. “Collaboration is one of the key elements for all that we do at ASU to support student success.

“Thank you for reflecting on the dedication, teamwork and partnership that we have fostered between University Registrar Services and the Graduate College. I can’t thank you enough for ... this recognition of our work together.”

When the Department of Physics faced extended staff vacancies, graduate students still needed answers, guidance and support. Jaya Krishnamurthy stepped into that uncertainty, determined to make sure students did not feel the impact alone.

As graduate programs manager, Krishnamurthy rebuilt key systems, introduced streamlined processes and implemented data-informed approaches to help students stay on track academically. She also strengthened communication and centralized support resources, helping create a more responsive environment during a critical period of transition.

“I feel fortunate to work with the talented graduate students in the Department of Physics throughout their academic journey,” Krishnamurthy said.

She also shared that her greatest motivation comes from helping students work through academic and administrative challenges while ensuring they feel supported throughout their time at ASU.

“Whether answering questions, solving problems or serving as a reliable resource, I strive to create a positive experience for our students,” she said.

Her efforts restored operational stability while improving the overall graduate student experience in the department.

Cassie Harvey believes graduate education should do more than prepare students for careers. It should challenge them to think critically, lead ethically and engage meaningfully with the communities they serve.

That vision earned Harvey, project coordinator in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, the inaugural Principled Innovation in Graduate Education Award.

Harvey has helped reshape the graduate student experience through a support model grounded in wellness, ethical leadership and participatory learning. She also launched an advisory group that brings together criminal justice leaders, nonprofit partners and individuals directly impacted by the justice system to help guide program development through lived experience and community accountability.

In addition, Harvey expanded partnerships with public safety agencies to create immersive learning opportunities that connect classroom learning with public service and real-world problem-solving.

Through her work, Harvey aims to help students build empathy, strengthen leadership skills and better understand the human impact of the criminal justice system.

“My goal is to help students develop the awareness and practical skills needed to succeed academically and professionally while engaging thoughtfully with the communities they serve,” she said.

Harvey said the recognition reinforces her commitment to advancing Principled Innovation through a growing “Principled Justice” community of practice focused on preparing the next generation of criminal justice leaders.

For many online graduate students, balancing coursework with careers, family responsibilities and daily life can feel isolating. Adia Taylor works to make sure students in the W. P. Carey School of Business online MBA and Master of Management programs feel supported, connected and seen throughout their academic journey.

As a graduate programs student services support coordinator, Taylor has become known for her thoughtful guidance, proactive communication and ability to foster meaningful community among working professional students.

“This recognition is especially meaningful to me because I was nominated by one of our incredible students, Mallory Fox,” Taylor said. “She is an amazing representative of our online MBA community and this spring’s online MBA Dean’s Medalist.”

Taylor said the relationships she builds with students are among the most rewarding aspects of her work.

“Watching students achieve their goals is what makes this work so fulfilling,” she said.

As members of Thunderbird School of Global Management’s inaugural Doctor of Professional Practice cohort adjusted to the demands of a new program, April Banderas became a consistent source of guidance and support.

Banderas, senior program manager at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, received a Supporting Student Success Award for her dedication to helping students navigate complex administrative processes while remaining focused on their academic and professional goals.

Students and colleagues praised her responsiveness, problem-solving skills and commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for the cohort.

“I am deeply grateful for this recognition. To me, it reflects the impact we can make on students throughout their academic journeys,” Banderas said. 

"Knowing I have made even a small difference is incredibly motivating and rewarding. I’m especially thankful for my amazing Thunderbird team, whose support and commitment to creating a nurturing work environment allow us all to thrive.”

For graduate students facing scholarship deadlines, funding questions and enrollment pressures, timely support can make all the difference. Jezabel Teston has built a reputation for helping students move through those high-stress moments with clarity, compassion and confidence.

As scholarship services manager in the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, Teston supports students facing financial and enrollment-related challenges. Her responsiveness, attention to detail and individualized guidance have helped students remain enrolled and focused on their academic goals.

“Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to a student’s success and educational journey is incredibly rewarding,” Teston said.

She also shared that helping students work through complicated processes is a responsibility she values deeply.

“Supporting student success is at the heart of what I do,” she said. “I feel fortunate to work alongside colleagues who are equally dedicated to helping students navigate their journeys and reach their goals.”

Having a mentor who encourages curiosity and makes challenges feel manageable can make all the difference for graduate students working through the uncertainty and complexity of research.
Students say Sandhya Gangaraju brings that kind of support to every interaction.

Gangaraju, research specialist principal at the Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, received a Supporting Student Success Award for her mentorship and encouragement of graduate students engaged in research.

Students highlighted her ability to explain complex concepts, guide problem-solving and create an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and learning through challenges.

Through her patient guidance and commitment to student well-being, Gangaraju has helped students build confidence both academically and personally.

“Supporting student success is at the heart of everything we do at ASU, and hearing that I’ve made a positive difference in students’ lives is incredibly meaningful,” Gangaraju said.

A graduation timeline. An internship approval. An immigration question without an easy answer.

For doctoral students, those moments can feel overwhelming, especially as they adjust to life far from home. Travis Terpkosh has become a trusted guide through those challenges, helping students move through complex university systems with clarity, patience and care.

“So many of the students I work with are navigating graduate school far from home, often while adapting to a new culture or language, but with remarkable bravery and perseverance,” Terpkosh said.

Terpkosh received a Supporting Student Success Award for his individualized advising and advocacy for doctoral students working through academic and immigration-related processes at the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence.

Students and colleagues praised his ability to communicate clearly, simplify complicated procedures, and help students stay on track through graduation timelines, internships and university requirements.

Beyond one-on-one advising, Terpkosh has also created informational sessions designed to foster connection and demystify university processes for doctoral students.

“Having the opportunity to get to know students, support them along the way and see them succeed is what makes this work so rewarding,” he said.

As the luncheon concluded, award recipients, nominators and colleagues gathered for photos and continued celebrating the individuals whose work often happens behind the scenes but leaves a lasting impact on graduate education at ASU. Their work can be seen in the students, programs and communities they help strengthen every day.