ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Awards Ceremony Program

Introduction and Welcome

Sue Williamson Spirit Award

For a Harvard Kennedy School staff member who significantly enhances the student experience, as nominated by the graduating class. Presented by the Class Marshals.

• Leah Boccaccio, Advisor to International Students and Scholars,
• Amy Mahler, Director of Government Engagement, Taubman Center for State and Local Government
• Jose Ospina, Harvard University Dining Services

Ellen S. Raphael MPP 1982 Award

For a Master in Public Policy student who exemplifies academic achievement and public service. Presented by Cate Lagueux, Director, MPP Program.

• Brandon Moore MPP 2025

Prize for Outstanding Policy Analysis Exercise

Presented by Christopher Norio Avery, Roy E. Larsen Professor of Public Policy and MPP Program Faculty Chair and Cate Lagueux, Director, MPP Program.

• Nora Cahill MPP 2025 and Naomi Carolan MPP 2025
  All I Want for Christmas is Used: Harnessing the "Allston Christmas" Spirit Across Boston Neighborhoods

Carr-Ryan Center Prize for Human Rights

For outstanding Policy Analysis Exercises or Second Year Policy Analyses in Human Rights. Presented by Mathias Risse, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights, Global Affairs, and Philosophy; and Faculty Director of the .

• Antonia Foldes MPP 2025
  From Grand Bargain to Ground Realities: Localizing Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine

Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership

For a graduating student at Harvard Kennedy School for her/his/their commitment to build community and serve as a role model for women aspiring to be leaders. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the .

• Anjali Nair MPA/ID 2025

Jane Mansbridge Research Award

For an outstanding research paper—Policy Analysis Exercise, Second Year Policy Analysis, or others—whose analysis of an organization or topic is focused on women or gender. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the .

• Eleanor Abigail Dennis Furtado MPA/ID 2025 and Valeria Churango Zarate MPA/ID 2025
  Unsafe Homes, At-Risk Children: Violence in Climate Disasters 

Holly Taylor Sargent Award for Women’s Advancement

For a member of the Harvard Kennedy School community (faculty, staff, or student) who has done the most to advance the opportunities, situation, and status of women within the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the .

• Beatriz Della Costa MC/MPA 2025

Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Award for Excellence in Service

For Harvard Kennedy School community members who exemplify outstanding leadership and commitment to increasing ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø diversity, inclusion, and belonging through scholarship, initiatives, programs, and community building. Presented by Dr. Robbin Chapman, Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

• Caren Yap MPP 2025, ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Diversity Committee Representative; Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (AAPI) Caucus; Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Associate; Public Policy Leadership Conference Coordinator
• Emma Stone MPP 2025, Disability Justice Caucus Chair

Manuel C. Carballo Memorial Prize

For exemplary articulation of ideas related to the implementation, management, and evaluation of programs to serve disadvantaged populations in the United States. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Emerita.

• Jane Ruan MPP 2025
  Special Education in Chicago Public Schools: Trends and Pathways Toward Rightful Presence

Frederick Fischer Memorial Prize

For an outstanding paper related to a topic on criminal justice, the criminal legal system, inequality, economic and social mobility, economics of industrial policy, regional economic topics, workforce development, labor, poverty, education, immigration, social services, or other social policy issues. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Emerita.

• Melissa Hernández Jasso, Doctoral Student in Sociology/ PhD Scholar in Inequality & Wealth Concentration
  Degrees of Illegality: How Professional Education Shapes the Undocumented Experience of Mexican Immigrants in Boston
   

Susan C. Eaton Memorial Prize

For an outstanding paper related to a topic on human resources management, health care management, health care quality, union leadership, fair wage policy, health care disparities, work/family policy, gender equity, elder care and aging, or topics related to disability. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Emerita.

• Yuchen Dai MPP 2025 and Wanjun Zhao MPP 2025 
  Unlocking the Potential of Securitization in China’s Elderly Care Industry: A Comparative Study of Global Practices
   

William Julius Wilson Research Award

For an outstanding research paper written on a topic that William Julius Wilson’s academic research addressed, including race relations, urban poverty and joblessness, segregation, perhaps with particular attention to macro-level factors driving social phenomena. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Emerita.

• Emily Gonçalves MPP 2025, Caren Yap MPP 2025 
  Struck Down, Fired Up: The State of Freedom of Assembly in the U.S. Deep South
   

Taubman Center Urban Prize

For an outstanding paper on a topic related to state or local urban issues. Presented by Rafael Carbonell, Executive Director, Taubman Center for State and Local Government; Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy.

• Nora Cahill MPP 2025 and Naomi Carolan MPP 2025
  All I Want for Christmas is Used: Harnessing the "Allston Christmas" Spirit Across Boston Neighborhoods

Prize for Outstanding Second Year Policy Analysis

The Second Year Policy Analysis is an important part of the MPA/ID Program, a capstone project, in which students choose a real-world policy problem to address through a final paper. Presented by Eliana La Ferrara, Faculty Chair, MPA/ID Program and Carol Finney, Director, MPA/ID Program.

• Katie Chen MPA/ID 2025 and Vaibhav Parik MPA/ID 2025
  Improving Livelihoods for Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Ethiopia
  Section Leader: Anders Jensen
  Advisor: Jie Bai
   
• Ian Nurseto MPA/ID 2025 and Reni Windari MPA/ID 2025
  Beyond Numbers: Leveraging Indonesia's Endowment Fund for Education to Shape Future Leaders
  Section Leader: Rema Hanna
  Advisor: Jay Rosengard
   
• Lusine Torosyan MPA/ID 2025  
  Tackling Financial Dollarization: The Role of Macroprudential Policies – Evidence from Armenia
  Section Leader: Carmen Reinhart
  Advisor: Jeffrey Frankel

Raymond Vernon Award for Commitment to International Development

For a graduating MPA/ID student who best personifies the values of the program, namely dedication to international development, good citizenship, academic excellence, and strong potential to lead and contribute to the field. Presented by Eliana La Ferrara, Faculty Chair, MPA/ID Program and Carol Finney, Director, MPA/ID Program.

• Prince Dhawan MPA/ID 2025
• Katherine Gutierrez Abanto MPA/ID 2025
   

2025 Class Gift

For future students who need financial support to make their Harvard Kennedy School education possible. Total dollars and donors from the campaign will be announced. Presented to Jeremy Weinstein, Dean and Don K. Price Professor of Public Policy by the Class of 2025 Gift Committee and Matching Gift Committee:

• Omri Attar MC/MPA 2025
• Jeffrey Holiday MC/MPA 2025
• Abha Kumari MC/MPA 2025
• Meg McHale MPA 2025
• Joannes Yimbesalu MC/MPA 2025

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

For outstanding teaching fellows, course coaches, and course assistants, as nominated by the student body. Presented by Jeremy Weinstein, Dean and Don K. Price Professor of Public Policy.

• Madison Coots PhD candidate in Health Policy
• DaurÄ—n Kabíyev MC/MPA 2025
• Chris Li PhD candidate in Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman PhD candidate in Health Policy
• Lusine Torosyan MPA/ID 2025
   

Donald K. Price Award

For MPA students who embody the strengths of the program—through academic excellence, community-building, or demonstrations of leadership within the class. Presented by Kessley Hong, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Faculty Chair of MPA Programs and the Mid-Career MPA Summer Program, and Emma Heffern, Director, MPA Programs.

• Aditya Bhayana MPA 2025
• Danielle Nicole Bianco MPA 2025
• Sadie Ann Marie Harlan MPA 2025
• Benjamin Michael Chauffourier Marshall MPA 2025
• Viktoria Waldenfels MPA 2025

Lucius N. Littauer Award

For MC/MPA students who embody the strengths of the program—through academic excellence, community-building, or demonstrations of leadership within the class. Presented by Kessley Hong, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Faculty Chair of MPA Programs and the Mid-Career MPA Summer Program, and Emma Heffern, Director, MPA Programs.

• Bekhzodkhon Alikhanov MC/MPA 2025
• Omri Yakov Attar MC/MPA 2025
• Leila Hamidi MC/MPA 2025
• Artur Edward Martyniuk MC/MPA 2025
• Rico Pasamba III MC/MPA 2025
• Nathalie Mary Robelot Timtchenko MC/MPA 2025

Advisor of the Year Award

For a faculty or staff member who made a substantial impact on the student experience through formal or informal advice, as nominated by the graduating class. Presented by Melissa Wojciechowski St. John, Senior Director of Student Services.

• Matthew Lee, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Management

Manuel C. Carballo Award for Excellence in Teaching

For an instructor who best exemplifies, demonstrates, and inspires excellence through teaching, as nominated by the graduating class. Presented by the Class Marshals.

• Jie Bai, Associate Professor of Public Policy

Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service

For a graduating student whose commitment, activities, and contributions to public service are extraordinary. Presented by Debbie Isaacson, Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs and Student Affairs.

• Zubair Merchant MPP 2025
• Caren Yap MPP 2025

Closing Remarks

Melissa Wojciechowski St. John, Senior Director of Student Services and Class Marshals

Additional Awards

Mason Certificate Ceremony

Tuesday, May 27 | John F. Kennedy Memorial Park

The Mason Certificate Ceremony was a joyful celebration to recognize the achievements of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Class of 2025 MC/MPA Mason Fellows. Many graduating students and their families and friends wore traditional dress from their home countries or regions.

Josephine S. Vernon Award

For an outstanding MC/MPA Mason Fellow who embodies the spirit and mission of the Edward S. Mason Program at Harvard Kennedy School.

• Jiwan Kumar Mallik MC/MPA Mason 2025

Raymond & Josephine Vernon Award

For academic distinction and distinguished contribution to the Edward S. Mason Program and Harvard Kennedy School.

• Beatriz Della Costa Pedreira MC/MPA Mason 2025

• Danai Bianca Clodar Mashingaidze MC/MPA Mason 2025

• Kennedy Yao Yi Ng MC/MPA Mason 2025

Eric Yankah Award

For distinguished contribution to the Edward S. Mason Program and Harvard Kennedy School.

• Artur Edward Martyniuk MC/MPA Mason 2025

• Hellen Jeritha Chabunya MC/MPA Mason 2025

• Joannes Paulus Yimbesalu MC/MPA Mason 2025

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