
HONORS DAY
HONORS DAY
Dear Andrew Young School Honors Students, Families and Friends,
Earlier this semester, we began preparations for our 24th Annual Honors Day celebration with great anticipation. This annual recognition of our honors students and fellows – each of whom serves as an extraordinary example of the knowledge shared and impact of the Andrew Young School – is one of the highlights of our academic year.
Know that we celebrate each of you for your special accomplishments, although the manner in which we do so has changed. We appreciate your ongoing dedication to knowledge and your service to academia, policy and community, despite challenges we could have never imagined when the semester began.
You are our promise, our future. With joy and pride, we anticipate what your gifts will mean to the many communities you will serve.
Fondly,
Dean Sally Wallace

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2020 Honors Day Presentation 21.66 MB 180 downloads
The presentation featuring award recipients for the Andrew Young School's 2020 Honors...2020 Honors Day Program 351.23 KB 201 downloads
The 2020 Andrew Young School Honors Day Program. ...Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Awards
The Carolyn McClain Young Leadership Fellowship Award
Established to provide training opportunities for government officials, junior executives in national finance ministries and young people who may be the leaders of tomorrow in countries with emerging economies, especially in Africa and the Caribbean.
Olasubomi Olaoluwakitan David Ayeni
Kyela Gadi
The Jean Childs Young Fellowship
Established in honor of Jean Childs Young through the generosity of R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., chairman emeritus and founder of Aaron Rents, Inc., who attended Georgia State University in 1948 and was inducted into the Robinson College of Business Hall of Fame in 2005. This endowment, which honors the life and legacy of Jean Childs Young, provides fellowships for graduate students in the AndrewYoung School and supports the Jean ChildsYoung lecture series.
Anastassia Hardy
Diani Julye
Caroline Loos
Kristen Wimberly
The Nance Lu Mescon Scholarship
Established by Michael Mescon, former dean of Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and founder and inaugural holder of the world’s first chair in private enterprise in the Andrew Young School, and his wife Enid Mescon, to honor the memory of their beloved daughter.This scholarship provides financial support for outstanding undergraduate students while raising awareness and stimulating scholarship around issues relating to eating disorders. Recipients complete an independent study course with research focused on eating disorders and present a poster on the topic at the GSU Undergraduate Research Conference.
Ava Cotliar
The Dean's Fellowship
Established through the generosity of The Coca-Cola Foundation in honor of Ambassador Andrew Young, the three-year Dean’s Fellowship is awarded annually to outstanding students pursuing doctoral degrees in the Andrew Young School.
June Mi Kang
Eun Joo Kwon
Caroline Lamprecht
Tasha Ramirez
Rainey White
Jose Xilau
Meng Ye
AYS Undergraduate Scholarship
Established to provide financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate leaders and scholars in the Andrew Young School, this scholarship is awarded for academic merit, leadership and need.
Ji Hyun kim
University Fellows
Established by Georgia State University to support doctoral students engaged in the research of faculty recruited to join the Andrew Young School under the Second Century Initiative (2CI).This program is building internationally recognized scholarly strength and critical mass around common research themes to enhance the university’s overall quality, interdisciplinary richness and competitiveness.The fellowship is awarded for up to four years to outstanding students pursuing a Ph.D. in economics, public policy or criminal justice.
Ruslan Galyamov
Victoria Hemley
Erica Mtenga
Luisa Nazareno
Amis Stephan Endowment for Undergraduate Retention
Established by Drs.William Amis and Paula Stephan, the Amis Stephan Endowment provides financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate leaders at Georgia State University.This university-wide scholarship is awarded for academic merit, leadership and need. Half of the scholarship recipients are Andrew Young School students.
Briana Jackson
Layton McCoy
Terrance Melton
Tyshawn Tucker
Andrew Young School Study Abroad Experience Scholarship
Established by Drs. Robert Moore and Julie Hotchkiss, this scholarship provides financial assistance to students in good academic standing who are eligible to participate in a study abroad program.
Graduate Students
Abisola Akinkuowo
Marina Chaji
Maryam Salihu
Jalissa Spalding
Undegraduate Students
Fatoumata Barry
McKenzie Bethel
Lauren Deas
Feryal Elhagany
Meklit Gebr
Jenna Granger
Maya Heard
Toni Moore
Zahrah Muhammad
Richmond Opuni
Dakota Reynolds
Anique Roberts
Chrystina-Sammantha Ricks-Gray
Summer Accelerator Scholarship
The Summer Accelerator Scholarship provides financial assistance to seniors who take one or two summer courses to complete their Andrew Young School undergraduate degree.
Edwin Adams
Michael Badru
Corey Campbell
Jessica Garcia
Breanique Geddes
Tiara Whitfield
The Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship
The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program awards assistantships for outstanding returned Peace Corps Volunteers earning a graduate degree at the Andrew Young School.Through this program, fellows bring their international experience to the classroom and complete substantive internships related to their program of study in underserved communities in the Atlanta area.
Kelsey Duff
Eileen McGowan
Laura Petit
RISE Award
Established through the generosity of Sam and Angie Allen, this award provides financial assistance to outstanding undergraduates in the Andrew Young School. This scholarship is awarded for academic merit, commitment to community service, and financial need.
Monique Adams
Djema Babara
Gabrielle Crenshaw
Amanda Daniel
Jalia Garza
Ashley Gordon
Cassidy Kantoris
Chinelo Moneke
Hernan Pastrana
Perjah Roberts
Krisolin Sanford
Leviticus Smith
Ashon Williams
Byars Family Undergraduate Scholarship
Established by alumna Linda Byars (B.B.A. ’68, M.A. ’73), this award provides financial assistance to first generation college students in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Tomeka Joseph
Dionne Young
Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology Awards
The James L. Maddex Jr. Scholarship
Established in honor of James L. Maddex, Jr., professor emeritus of criminal justice, this merit-based scholarship is awarded annually to undergraduate or graduate criminal justice majors.
Jessica Allomong
Kayla Banks
Seungho Chi
Amber Galloway
Trisha Johnston
Chrystina-Sammantha Ricks-Gray
Trey Robinson
Rebekah Williams
The Chris Perrin Memorial Scholarship
Shared by the Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology and the School of Social Work, this merit-based scholarship is presented annually to a rising junior or senior majoring in each area. It was established by the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges in memory of Chris Perrin, executive director of the council and an alumnus of Georgia State University.
Kayla Banks
Krisolin Sanford
Osharra Caine
Rebekah Williams
The Phil Peters Scholarship
Presented in memory of E.P. “Phil” Peters, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (1980-1985), this merit-based scholarship is given annually to a junior majoring in criminal justice.
Seungho Chi
Trey Robinson
Rebekah Williams
The Larry E. Quinn Memorial Scholarship
Provides scholarships to employees of law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan Atlanta area who are part-time or full-time students in the criminal justice program of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.
Osharra Caine
The Undergraduate Academic Achievement Award
Presented to the student who has maintained the highest grade point average in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program during their junior or senior year.
Michael Hines
Isabella Nuccio
The AYSPS Excellence in Teaching Criminal Justice Award
The Andrew Young School values excellence in teaching along with excellence in research.This award recognizes the student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has performed exceptionally well in teaching.
Matheson Sanchez
The Bobby Joe Chancey Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Provides scholarships to full-time criminal justice students planning a career in law enforcement who are entering their sophomore or junior year, considered “at-risk” and have financial need. Recipients may continue to receive the scholarship each year until graduation as long as they remain in good academic standing.
Trey Robinson
Rebekah Williams
The AYSPS Criminal Justice & Criminology Student Leadership Award
The Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology recognizes students who exhibit exemplary leadership and service.
Sarah Sepanik
The AYSPS Excellence in Criminal Justice & Criminology Doctoral Research Award
The Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology recognizes outstanding research produced by doctoral students.
Shanna Felix
Judge Andrew A. Mickle Scholarship in Criminal Justice
This merit-based scholarship recognizes an exceptional undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
Chrystina-Sammantha Ricks-Gray
Trey Robinson
Rebekah Williams
Department of Economics Awards
The Jack Blicksilver Scholarship
Established in memory of Jack Blicksilver, professor of economics, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student who excels in economics.
Maria Morales-Leon
The E.D. “Jack” Dunn Fellowship
Established to honor Georgia Banking Commissioner E.D. “Jack” Dunn, a Georgia State alumnus, this fellowship is awarded annually to a deserving graduate student in the Andrew Young School with academic and research interests in public finance, financial regulatory policy impact on national, regional and local economics or public management.
Yasin Civelek
The Carol Keels Endowed Scholarship
Established in honor of Carole Y. Keels, a Georgia State University alumna, this scholarship recognizes a student with significant career experience who is pursuing a degree in economics. At the age of 38, Keels returned to college to complete both a master’s and Ph.D. in economics.
Francisco Beltran Silva
The George Malanos Scholarship
Given in memory of George Malanos, professor of economics and the first chair of the department, to Ph.D. students selected by the faculty as best exemplifying a commitment to the exchange of ideas and creation of a community of scholars.
Nicardo McInnis
The Mark E. Schaefer M.A. in Economics Award
Established in honor of Mark E. Schaefer, professor of economics, this award recognizes the student with the highest grade point average in the Master of Arts in Economics program.
Shahrukh Savaja
The Economics Award
Presented by the faculty to the undergraduate who achieves the highest grade point average in economics courses above the 2000 level and demonstrates a commitment to the study of economics.
Seojin Kim
The Economics Student Achievement Award
Presented to an outstanding senior majoring in economics as selected by a faculty committee, this award signifies academic excellence and outstanding service in the economics student community.
Viraj Chordiya
The Excellence in Microeconomics Award
Awarded to the best economics major in intermediate microeconomics during the previous year.The student earning this award has shown a deep interest in the subject, demonstrated a thorough understanding of the material and its applications, and has attained a high level of academic achievement.
Mytiah Caldwell
The Research Excellence in Economics Award
The Research Excellence in Economics Program (Re2P) provides academically superior students the means to further their skills in empirical research beyond the classroom to better prepare for graduate school and real-world applications in economics. Participants have opportunities to present their research at national professional conferences and research competitions and for publish- ing consideration.
Seojin Kim
The IEML Award
Given annually in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in the International Economics and Modern Languages (IEML) program.
Victoria Aaron
The Quantitative Economics Award
Established by economist Harold Ball, a Ph.D. alumnus, this award is given annually to recognize distinguished performance in quantitative economics.
Umair Ayaz
Maxwell Chomas
The AYS Excellence in Teaching Economics Award
The Andrew Young School values excellence in teaching as it does excellence in research.This award recognizes a student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has performed exceptionally well in the classroom.
Samuel Asare
The Zeinah Danielle Aouani Scholarship
Established by Dr. Zaier Aouani and Dr. Seunghae Grace Eau, current Clinical Associate Professor of Economics, in memory of their beloved daughter. This scholarship provides financial support for outstanding undergraduate students majoring in economics who have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and are registered for a research course.
Seojin Kim
Department of Public Management & Policy Awards
The Governor Joe Frank Harris Award
Given in honor of Georgia Gov. Joe Frank Harris, whose administration was noted for improvements in education and who served as a Distinguished Executive Fellow in the Andrew Young School, to one or more Georgia resident students based on academic merit.
Margaret Beckley
The Dan Sweat Award
Established in memory of Georgia State alumnus Dan E. Sweat, the storied Atlanta civic leader, this assistantship is awarded to one or more deserving graduate students with career interests in public service.
Nancy Medcalf
The Excellence in Scholarship Award
This award recognizes high academic standing and professional promise.
Undergraduate Award
Masanue Vah
Graduate Awards
Edward Childree
Jeffery Brantley
The Public Management & Policy CPUA Scholarship
Awarded in the fall to one or more outstanding incoming MPA or MPP students. Recipients must maintain full-time status, be in good standing in the graduate program and serve as graduate research assistants in the Department of Public Management & Policy.
Adedotun Seyingbo
The Best Research Paper Award
Presented annually to a graduate student in the public management and policy program, as selected by a faculty committee. Student papers nominated by faculty examine topics such as privatization, human resource issues in the public and private sector, and public finance and financial management.
Margaret Williford
The Outstanding Intern Award
This award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who, in the judgment of the faculty, have performed exceptionally well as interns.
Undergraduate Award
Andrew Edmondson
Graduate Award
Margaret Beckley
The Amanda G. Hyatt Fellowship
Established to honor the late Amanda Hyatt and her legacy of commitment to public service and education, this award recognizes a graduate student in policy studies who has demonstrated leadership and a proven commitment to compassionate public service.
Ben Bradbury
The Outstanding Doctoral Student in Public Policy Award
Awarded by the faculty to Ph.D. in Public Policy candidates who best exemplify academic excellence and an ongoing commitment to scholarship in the field of public policy.
Joowon Jeong
The AYSPS Excellence in Teaching Policy Award
The Andrew Young School values excellence in teaching along with excellence in research.This award recognizes a student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has performed exceptionally well in teaching.
Bo Li
The Rick Anderson Scholarship
Established in honor of Rick Anderson, a Georgia State alumnus who worked under various mayoral administrations including Amb. Andrew Young’s, this award recognizes a graduate student focusing their study in government management or finance.
Justin Jackson
School of Social Work Awards
Field Placement Awards
Recognizes students who have, in the judgment of the faculty, gone above and beyond in their field placement while demonstrating initiative and creativity.
James Bedingfield
Kira Burnett
Shimar Clements
Gabrielle Gordon
Erin Gress
Simirror Harris
Courtney Martin
James Pierce
Molly Scott
Ellen Summerlin
The Diane B. Davis Award
This award was established in memory of Diane B. Davis, a colleague who exemplified high standards of professional practice.The faculty selects a senior B.S.W. student who has demonstrated a consistency of competency and creativity in social work with a minimum grade point average of 3.75.
Kaylee Baum
Outstanding Part-Time M.S.W. Award
Presented to a graduating part-time M.S.W. student who has demonstrated both service to the school and embodiment of the community partner- ship concentration.
Megan Wyckoff
Outstanding M.S.W. Award
Presented to a graduating M.S.W. student who has demonstrated both service to the school and embodiment of the community partnership concentration.
Julia Oliver
The Wanda K. Cardwell Memorial Award
This award was created in memory of Wanda K. Cardwell. The recipients are students who have exemplified courage, determination and perseverance in the completion of their goal, despite obstacles.
Aisha Clinton
Cherese Gaddy
Leviticus Smith
Chris Perrin Memorial Scholarship
Established by the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges in memory of Chris Perrin, executive director of the council and an alumnus of Georgia State University, this merit-based scholarship is presented annually to a rising junior or senior majoring in degree programs in the School of Social Work and the Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology.
Kenyah Farley
Other Awards and Honors
The UPS Foundation Fellowship
UPS Fellows gain an opportunity to learn about the work of The UPS Foundation in conjunction with their graduate studies.
Mika Billins
Bernard Mejia
Natalee Jones
Alicia Montgomery
Dan E. Sweat Dissertation Fellowship
Established in memory of Dan E. Sweat, a Georgia State alumnus, this fellowship is designed to support doctoral students with the completion of dissertation research.The dissertation must address an urban, community or education issue and have some policy relevance.
Alfredo Martin
Growing Leaders Fellowship
Growing Leaders fellows gain the opportunity to work with an organization that helps families build better lives and children reach their highest potential through its holistic approach of mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education and community wellness.
Omolola Areago
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Fellowship
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (CFGA) fellows gain the opportunity to work with the organization that has long-served the greater Atlanta area by connecting donors, nonprofits, community leaders and others to strengthen the region through philanthropy.
Courtney Carmichael
Atlanta Legal Aid Society Fellowship
Atlanta Legal Aid Society fellows are MPA or MPP students selected annually to work directly with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. They get a well-rounded introduction to the nation’s critical legal issues – from public benefits to complex mortgage litigation – while assisting in researching and developing program administration and policy development.
Hiba Amjad
Rashad Williams
Students listed above are new recipients for the 2019-2020 Academic Year.
Multi-year awards are listed during the recipient’s initial award year.