(COPH) students and student organizations were recognized at both the ±«Óătv Health Student Awards Ceremony and the ±«Óătv Celebration of Leadership Awards—two key events held as part of ±«Óătv Commencement Week.
These annual programs honor students, staff and faculty for their outstanding commitment to leadership, service, academics and interprofessional collaboration throughout the 2024–2025 academic year. Award recipients were selected for their exceptional contributions to the ±«Óătv community and their efforts to create positive change both on campus and beyond.
Check out the ±«Óătv Health Student Awards Ceremony winners below:
Grace Miller – Student Leader of the Year
Grace Miller, MPH
The Student Leader of the Year Award honors eight graduating students, one per college, school or academic program, for their outstanding leadership skills. The winner from the COPH was Grace Miller, .
Husena Rajkotwala – Spirit Award
Husena Rajkotwala, BSPH
graduate Husena Rajkotwala earned the ±«Óătv Health Spirit Award for the COPH.
This award recognizes a graduating student from each college, school and academic program that best exemplifies the ±«Óătv Health values that the community embraces in support of the mission to “Make Life Better.” Award winners must display interprofessionalism, compassion, passion, accountability, respect and inclusion, courage and resiliency, optimism, integrity and excellence.
Kesha Tondo – Excellence in Service
Kesha Tondo, BSPH
BSPH graduate Kesha Tondo was honored with the Excellence in Service award, given to students who have consistently used their time, energy and talents to promote positive change and growth at ±«Óătv Health and in the surrounding community.
Elizabeth Dunn and Florence Ackey – Community Engagement Project of the Year
DrPH candidates Elizabeth Dunn and Florence Ackey
The Community Engagement Project of the Year Award is presented to an individual, club or student organization who designed and implemented an outstanding community engagement project while representing ±«Óătv Health. The 2025 recipients of this award are candidates and Florence Ackey for their Women’s Empowerment Leadership Institute.
±«Óătv Community Emergency Response Team – Program of the Year
±«Óătv Community Emergency Response Team members helping during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The recipient of the Program of the Year Award was the (CERT). The award recognizes an organization, office, committee, group or individual who demonstrated excellence in planning and implementing a comprehensive, continuous or one-time program for the ±«Óătv Health community.
During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, CERT mobilized 675 dedicated volunteers—including students, faculty and staff—who collectively contributed 4,121 hours across 1,035 shifts at 28 locations. This remarkable effort provided over $130,000 in in-kind contributions, significantly reducing costs for Hillsborough County taxpayers and qualifying them for FEMA reimbursement.
The team’s efforts, supported by a wide network of partners such as the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Hillsborough County Operations Emergency Management and Tampa Fire Rescue, showcased the power of interprofessional education and community collaboration. Volunteers provided crucial support, ranging from direct aid at Hygiene and Comfort Stations to logistical assistance at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center.
This collaborative approach ensured the integration of students and volunteers into the broader community response, amplifying the impact of their work during a critical time.
Rolando Trejos –Trailblazer Award
Rolando Trejos, PhD
candidate and pre-doctoral fellow Rolando Trejos was honored with the Trailblazer Award. This award honors individuals who have dedicated extensive time and energy to completing a project that forges a new path for ±«Óătv Health, the University or Tampa Bay.
Trejos’ research applied social epidemiology to address health issues in cancer survivorship, focusing on complex structural factors and historical influences. He led key initiatives, including the trial, where he ensured cultural relevance in interventions, managed data systems and developed tools for long-term impact.
His dedication to creating sustainable change is evident in his international collaborations and leadership roles. As a founding member and chair of the Publications Committee for the Epidemiology and Mathematical Modeling Society of Panama. At Moffitt Cancer Center, he worked on projects to improve health outcomes and enhance preventive measures through innovative analysis and interventions. Trejos’ forward-thinking contributions in research, education and community engagement embody the spirit of the Trailblazer Award.
Check out the ±«Óătv Celebration of Leadership Awards winner below:
The Celebration of Leadership Awards ceremony recognizes outstanding student leaders, student organization advisors, student organizations, campus partners and community partners for their exemplary work during the academic year. Award winners represent the mission and values of their organizations and ±«Óătv in their daily action and work to create positive change for the community.
student Hannah Mamman was awarded Volunteer Standout Performance of the Year. This award recognizes the most outstanding ±«Óătv individual who has dedicated their time to ±«Óătv and the surrounding communities through community service and philanthropy.
The Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Student Collaborative being presented with their Outstanding Student Organization Collaboration Award.
The was honored with the Outstanding Student Organization Collaboration Award. This award recognizes the value of teamwork, collaboration and creating positive change.
Next, the (MCHSO), won the Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award, which recognizes a graduate student organization that demonstrated consistent flexibility, initiative and creativity and has made a meaningful contribution to the university.
Both these organizations have provided a voice to students across campus and professional development opportunities for members as well as activities and programs to increase the quality of life for the ±«Óătv community.
View the full ceremony .