2026 Graduate Student Awards
The Graduate Student Association (GSA), in partnership with University of Memphis Graduate School, is proud to recognize outstanding graduate students and mentors at the President’s Leadership Awards & Honors Assembly on April 15, 2026.
This annual celebration highlights excellence, leadership, and impact across the graduate community through three distinguished honors:
- Student Success Award – Recognizing graduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, perseverance, and commitment to their educational journey.
- 10 Under 35 Award – Honoring ten outstanding graduate students under the age of 35 who are making significant contributions in their fields, research, and communities.
- Mentor Award – Celebrating faculty and mentors who go above and beyond to support, guide, and inspire graduate student success.
These awards reflect the dedication, innovation, and leadership that define the University of Memphis graduate experience. We are proud to celebrate the individuals who continue to make a lasting impact on our campus and beyond.
Student Success Award Recipient: Ayomiposi Falade
10 Under 35 Award Recipients:
- Anthony Dontoh
- Asya Miles
- Chinyere Eme
- Racheal Walker
- Abdulwahab Alshehri
- Kimberly Baldwin
- Faraz Ul Haq
- Muhammed Dada
- Showrav Paul
- Stephen Leonard Mensah
Winners of the Summer Dissertation Completion Grant 2026
- Jessica Ashah, CAS, English
- Kimberly White, COE, Leadership and Policy Studies
- Madison Givens, CAS, History
- Halle Griggs, CAS, English
- Lindsey Swafford, COE, Applied Behavioral Analysis
- Navid Joushideh, Herff, Civil Engineering
- Consuelo Boykins, COE, Applied Behavioral Analysis
- Brittany Young, COE, Counseling Psychology,
- Mujungu Museru, Herff, Civil Engineering
- Elizabeth Schriner, CAS, Biology
2026 Student Research Forum: Graduate Student Winners
- 1st place, Peyton Berry, Business
- 1st place, Kalyani Garde, Education
- 2nd place, Kimberlyde Lara-Staunton, Education
- 1st place, Kashta Dozier-Muhammad, Engineering
- 2nd place, Saliha Qamar, Engineering
- 1st place, Mark Cellini, Liberal and Fine Arts
- 2nd place, Lora Yopp, Liberal and Fine Arts
- 1st place, David Basnet, Life and Health Sciences
- 1st place, Maziar Ganji, Life and Health Sciences
- 2nd place, Eden Landry, Life and Health Sciences
- 2nd place, Syeda Mashnia Tasnim, Life and Health Sciences
- 2nd place, Ferial Ahmadi, Life and Health Sciences
- 2nd place, Briana Robinson, Life and Health Sciences
- 1st place, Uttaran Choudhurry, Math and Computer Sciences
- 2nd place, Hema Siva Gayathri Dalavayi, Math and Computer Sciences
- 1st place, Suprava Shah, Physical and Applied Sciences
- 2nd place, Hadi Heydarizadeh Shali, Physical and Applied Sciences
- 1st place, Zachary Mikkelson, Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 2nd place, Elaine Mooney, Social and Behavioral Sciences