Awards 2024 Graduate Leadership Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of Penn’s 2023 graduate student leadership awards!  Each year, the University honors student leaders who are graduating from Penn with two awards: President & Provost's Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate & Professional Student Life and the Dr. Andy Binns Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate and Professional Student Life. 

This year twelve graduating students are being recognized for their service and lasting contributions to graduate student life at Penn:  

2024 Graduate Leadership Awards with photos (headshots) of recipients

Natalie Delgado (MSW, SP2) [not pictured]; Mario Gallardo (MSMS, PSOM); Emily Getzen (PhD, Biostatistics, PSOM); Michael Krone (JD/MBA, Carey Law & Wharton); Sparsh Maheshwari (MSNPL & MSSP, SP2); Gaurav Mangal (MSE, Electrical Engineering, SEAS); Gabrielle Newell (MSEd, GSE); Maxwell Pisciotta (PhD, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, SEAS); Paradorn (Joe) Rummaneethorn (PhD, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, SEAS); Anusha Singhal (MBIOT, SEAS); Ananth Srinivas (PhD, Earth and Environmental Science, SAS); and Kaixi (Alex) Yang (I-MPA, SAS).  

Each of these honorees has volunteered their time to improve life at Penn for their fellow grad students, and our campus is a better place for their efforts.  Read more about these students' contributions and the awards they received below. 

President & Provost's Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate & Professional Student Life  

This award is presented to students who have initiated lasting new developments that have enhanced graduate and professional student life at Penn. This year, three students are being recognized with this award:  

  • Mario Gallardo, Master of Science in Medical Physics, Perelman School of Medicine 
    In recognition of extensive leadership and efforts, together with Deepa Ramadurai and Blake Tobias (2023 recipients), to establish institutions for student representation at the school and University-level and to foster greater engagement and community for master’s students within the Perelman School of Medicine.
     

  • Maxwell Pisciotta, PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science  
    In recognition of their efforts in partnering with the LGBT Center to create a comprehensive roadmap for increasing the number and accessibility of gender inclusive restrooms throughout campus, as well as for  ongoing leadership and engagement in graduate life through leadership toles in Lambda Grads. 
     

  • Kaixi (Alex) Yang, Master of Public Administration, School of Arts & Sciences 
    In recognition of their efforts in founding and institutionalizing the Penn Quakers Venture Club (PQVC) as the first truly University-wide student organization focused on venture capital and entrepreneurship.
     

Dr. Andy Binns Impact Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate and Professional Student Life  

This award is presented to graduate or professional students, upon their graduation from Penn, who have significantly impacted graduate and professional student life through service involvement in student life initiatives or organizations. Nine students received the Andy Binns Award this year: 
 

  • Natalie Delgado, Master of Social Work, School of Social Policy and Practice 
    for outstanding leadership and service following a period of transition through leadership roles within the Latin American Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (LAGAPSA) 
     

  • Emily Getzen, PhD in Biostatistics, Biomedical Graduate Studies, Perelman School of Medicine 
    for outstanding service and advocacy centered on graduate student financial support, including through various roles in GAPSA’s Advocacy division and Research Council, as well as contributions to efforts to secure new student insurance options and to improve outreach and onboarding of new PhD students.
     

  • Michael Krone, JD/MBA, Penn Carey Law School and Wharton School  
    for extensive service and leadership within GAPSA during periods of organizational and policy transition, as well as active engagement on University committees to advance the needs and perspectives of graduate and professional students as part of strategic planning and crisis response efforts.
     

  • Sparsh Maheshwari, MSNPL, Master of Science in Social Policy, School of Social Policy and Practice  
    for extensive service and leadership through roles in GAPSA, Rangoli, and PAGSA, as well as ongoing advocacy to advance intercultural exchange and a more inclusive graduate community through these and other campus programs. 
     

  • Gaurav Mangal, Master of Science in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science  
    for service and leadership with GAPSA, including advocacy and contributions through roles in the Advocacy Division, as well as ongoing service and advocacy for international students through roles in ISAB and with ISSS.
     

  • Gabrielle Newell, Master of Science in Education, Graduate School of Education  
    for service and leadership with GAPSA, including advocacy and contributions toward advancing issues of accessibility and disability inclusion through roles in student government and in partnership with the Weingarten Center and University Life.
     

  • Paradorn (Joe) Rummaneethorn, PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science  
    for extensive leadership and service through roles in GAPSA and GSEG, including contributions to organizational reforms and advocating for graduate student needs during the transition from virtual to in-person operations following the height of the pandemic. 
     

  • Anusha Singhal, Master of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Applied Science  
    for extensive leadership and service through roles in GAPSA and PAGSA during a period of organizational and policy change, including helping to establish new procedures and frameworks to guide student-organized programming in partnership with the Graduate Student Center.
     

  • Ananth Srinivas, PhD in Earth and Environmental Science, School of Arts & Sciences 
    for ongoing leadership and service through GAPSA and SASGov, including redesigning group websites to improve accessibility, transparency, and accuracy, as well as ongoing advocacy on behalf of PhD students through leadership roles and University committees.  

View All News