The School of Public and Population Health announced its 2025 SPPH Student Award winners at the annual SPPH Spring Picnic and Awards Celebration on Friday, May 2.
Out of many nominations, 19 students — from all program areas within the school — received awards. Each award student recipient embodies the school’s shared values to strengthen and improve the health of all Idahoans and the communities where they live, work and play through excellence in scholarship and service.
Learn more about the winners and categories below:
Engagement Award
The following student award recipients are leaders in service, practice, and advocacy in the greater community. These students work to advance excellence in health practice and policy within our community, state and abroad.
Award Recipients:
Jennifer Nguyen, Master of Public Health Student
Meredith Spivak, Public and Population Health Leadership PhD Student
Jafina Tubbs, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Tom Zywicki, Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Online Student
Dignity and Respect Award
The following student award recipients work to connect across differences, volunteer their time and efforts and take on leadership roles — helping make other SPPH students feel included and connected.
Award Recipients:
Kiana Chavez, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Sydney Nickel, Master of Public Health Student
Katriel Sevigny, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Student
Audrey Wilson, Bachelor of Science in Health Data Analytics Student
Opportunity Award
The following student award recipients have shown perseverance, resilience and achievement in their academic careers. These students are outstanding peers and rise above to clearly apply themselves to becoming excellent health and public health practitioners.
Award Recipients:
Jane Clapin, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Student
Jacob Dodge, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Alex Honn, Master of Public Health Student
Sandy Leonetti, Bachelor of Science in Health Data Analytics Student
Innovation Award
The following student award recipients have shown tremendous promise in their research or other scholarly pursuits. These students are working to develop new knowledge and understandings for health and public health work.
Award Recipients:
Babita Bhetwal, Master of Public Health Student
Abbas Makki, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Arturo Valadez, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Student
2025 SPPH Ambassadors
Four additional students were honored for their SPPH ambassadorship this school year. The following students were recognized for their student engagement, mentorship and outreach efforts while exhibiting the school’s core values.
Recognized Students:
Gabriella Jausoro, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Hailey Mock, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Student
Joelle Stever, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Ella Voorhees, Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Student
Congratulations to our 2025 SPPH Student Award winners!