2020 HONORS & COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Thursday April 23, 2020

John T. S. Keeler Dean of GSPIA

Paul Donnelly 2019 Student Cabinet President

Samantha MonksDean’s Award Winner

Kaitlin Powers Dean’s Award Winner

Emma Yourd Dean’s Award Winner

Dan Flaherty 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

Beth Rossman Commencement Speaker

Master of International DevelopmentEnergy & EnvironmentJustin Elias Giannantonio, BA

West Chester University of Pennsylvania, 2017Macy A. Holloway, BA

Georgia Southern University, 2016

Governance & International Public ManagementMonica Angelotti, BS

John Carroll University, 2017Anna E. Baer, BA

Pennsylvania State University, 2017Kaitlyn Marie Burton, BS

Kansas State University, 2015Sergio Miguel Cabrales Dominguez, BA

Universidad Centroamericana, Nicaragua, 2015Fan Chu, BA

Zhejiang University, China, 2017Chloe Alexandra Kay, BA

University of Colorado, 2014Emma Lamberton, BA

Geneva College, 2016Luke Frederick Miller, BS

University of Pittsburgh, 2017Manami Noji, BA

Gakuin University, Japan, 2016Jennifer Rene Schaber, BS

University of Pittsburgh, 2013Elizabeth Wallace Shields, BA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2015

Human SecurityMichael D. Kuncio, BA

University of Scranton, 2010Samantha Monks, BS

University of Pittsburgh, 2013Halle Nicole Murdock, BA

California University of Pennsylvania, 2018

Priyanka Srinivasa, BA American University, 2014

Andrew Arthur Tuznik, BA Pennsylvania State University, 2017

Nongovernmental Organizations & Civil SocietyAllison M. Bustin, BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2012Muhammad Khurram Butt, BBA, MBA

University of Karachi, Pakistan, 1994; 1995Amanda Kim Carpenter, BS

St. Michael’s College, 2016Kaleb Allen Eldridge, BA

Cedarville University, 2009Michelle Gabrielle Ozaeta, BA

Florida International University, 2016 Brianna A. Sears, BA, BS

Western Caroline University, 2018Amber Stephens, BA

Kent State University, 2013Ya Su, BA

China Foreign Affairs University, China, 2013Calli Marie White, BA

Villanova University, 2016Kayla Noelle Whitehouse, BA

Ohio State University, 2015

Social PolicySummer Hunter-Kysor, BA

Heidelberg University, 2017

Urban Affairs & PlanningAkira Inaba, BA, BA

Kansai Gaidai University, Japan, 2011; University at Albany, 2011

Master of Public AdministrationEnergy & EnvironmentYanru Li, BM

Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China, 2017

Melissa Lynn Ostrowski, BS Northern Michigan University, 2018

Governance & International Public ManagementIan Fisher, BA

Indiana University, 2012Lingzi Liu, BA

Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, China, 2018

Natalie V. Thiess, BA Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2014

Yichang Xu, BA Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China, 2018

Public & Nonprofit ManagementMary Kathleen Belonus, BA

Pennsylvania State University, 2018Aaron Jonathan Crawford, BA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2018Gina N. Edwards, BS

Ohio University, 2012Kate Lauren Gascoine, BS

Ohio University, 2010Kaitlyn M. Hendrickson, BS

La Roche University, 2015Kenneth D. Kutzer, BS

Allegheny College, 2018Yiwei Li, BA

Capital Normal University, China, 2017Prince Denario Matthews, BA

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 2015Alexandra Bortot McCrossin, BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2012Alexander Grant Neal, BA

Allegheny College, 2015Sara Michelle Rosenblum, BA

Wheaton College, 2014Aaron J. Ross, BS

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2018Samuel Leo Soergel, BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2018Cailee Marie St. Jean, BM

Grove City College, 2015Chaim Mordechai Strassman, BA

Yeshiva University, 2013Yidan Wang, BA

Tianjin University of Technology, China, 2017Chang Xu, BS

Southeast University, China, 2017Yingzhou Yao, BA, MA

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China, 2015; 2018

Nicole Zeak, BA Mercyhurst University, 2012

Lulu Zhang, BA Dalian Minzu University, China, 2015

Tianru Zhao, BA Southwest Petroleum University, China, 2018

Policy Research & AnalysisZixuan Dong, BS

Jiaxing University, China, 2017Sean C. Hudson, BSW

California University of Pennsylvania, 2012Nicholas Leffakis, BA

La Roche University, 2012JoEllen Lovisa Mathews Marsh, BA

Mercyhurst University, 2012Yehui Nan, BS

China Youth University of Political Science, China, 2017

Sha Qiu, BA East China Normal University,China, 2018

Kevin M. Tang, BA, BS University of Pittsburgh, 2014

Shuai Yan, BA Guangxi Normal University, China, 2018

Shuwen Zhang, BA, MS Shanxi University, China, 2015; University of Bristol, United Kingdom, 2016

Yimiao Zhou, BA University of International Relations, China, 2018

Urban Affairs & PlanningEric Alejandro Acosta Jr., BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2018Benjamin C. Emswiler, BA

Eastern Mennonite University, 2016Elizabeth Rose Fries, BS

Ohio State University, 2017Miranda R. Micire, BA

University of Dayton, 2016Emma S. Yourd, BA

Smith College, 2012Yanbin Zhao, BA

Jiangsu Normal University, China, 2018

Master of Public and International AffairsHuman SecurityMegan Elizabeth Bailey, BA

DePauw University, 2016Megan Lynn Canfield, BA

Wilmington College, 2017Adam James Diedrich, BA

Arizona State University, 2011Katherine Gramm-Zlotnick, BA

University of North Florida, 2013Jonathan Edward Gusew, BA

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 2017Kayla Marie Martin, BA, MA

Saginaw Valley State University, 2012; Duquesne University, 2017

Kaitlin Elizabeth Powers, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2015

Joe Simeone, BA West Chester University of Pennsylvania, 2015

Joseph William Skibbens, BA Lehigh University, 2017

Heather Leigh Solomon, BS Florida State University, 2018

International Political EconomyBu Im Cho, BL, ML

Konkuk University, South Korea, 2004; Korea University, South Korea, 2006

Shunyang Gao, BE Wuhan Polytechnic University, China, 2018

Kelsey Elizabeth Peterson, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2016

Jin Wang, BA Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, China, 2018

Xiran Wang, BA Sun Yat-sen University, China, 2017

Nicholas Clark Weltz, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2015

Weiping Xiao, BA Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, China, 2016

Security & Intelligence StudiesKelsey E. Brennan, BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2015Peter Albert Darius Curtis, BA

Harvard College, 2013Brittany Lauren De Hoyos, BS, MA

Wichita State University, 2015; 2016Logan James Dorminey, BA

Saint Vincent College, 2013Erin Frank, BA

Florida Atlantic University, 2015Kaitlyn Jeanne Hart, BA

San Diego State University, 2018Larkin R. Hogel, BS

University of Pittsburgh, 2015Shannon Marie Keys, BA

Duquesne University, 2018Thomas Aaron Krohn, BA

Miami University, 2018Austin Andrew Lebo, BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2013Lee. R. Margolit, BA

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 2013Rachel Elizabeth McGrath, BA

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2018Richard Max Napotnik Jr, BA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2018Penyinema Swaibou Ngoushema, BA

Wilkes University, 2018Steven A. Paterini, BA

University of Pittsburgh, 2017Matthew Dylan Pennock, BA

West Virginia University, 2018Kristin N. Ronzi, BS

Georgetown University, 2016Keara Anne Sanderson, BA

Millersville University of Pennsylvania, 2018Jamie L. Smith, BA

Washington & Jefferson College, 2018Victoria L. Trimble, BA

La Roche University, 2015 Kaelyn Jane Vitale, BA

George Mason University, 2017Allison Elizabeth Walker, BS

Elon University, 2017Paul M. Weaner, BS

Eastern Michigan University, 2015

Master of Public Policy and ManagementJaclyn Michelle Belczyk, BA, JD

University of Pittsburgh, 2005; 2008Leanna M. Bird, BA, MAT

Westminster College, 2008; University of Pittsburgh, 2011

Andrea Leigh Bowersox, BA Susquehanna University, 2011

Nathan Clark, BA, MS University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004; Lenoir-Rhyne University, 2016

Megan Cassie Conroy, BS Carlow University, 2010

Keisa A. East, BPS Geneva College, 2018

Jennifer A. Egan, BS Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, 1992

Autumn M. Falcsik, BA Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, 2010

Christopher Douglas Field, BA, MA, MLS Geneva College, 1996; 2000; University of Pittsburgh, 2004

Corey Suzanne Flynn, BA California State University, Sacramento, 2002

Lauren Anne Gray, BA University of California, Davis, 2012

Mary A. Harris, BS, MSW Saint Francis University, 1992; University of Pittsburgh, 1998

Lydia M. Heyliger, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2007

Carla J. Horvath, BA Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2002

Joshua E. Hudson, BA Gardner-Webb University, 2008

Kerri A. Jackson, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2005

Lisa K. Kessler, BA University of Pittsburgh, 1989

Glory Leigh Koerbel, BSN, MSN University of Pittsburgh, 1978; Duquesne University, 1999

Laura A. Kuster, BA College of Wooster, 2010

Rhonda C. Leach, BA, MS Western New England University, 1982; Geneva College, 2012

Christopher A. Manning, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2017

Julianne Mattera, BA University of Michigan, 2008

Peter McDevitt, BS California University of Pennsylvania, 2010

Karen Kruth McMahon, BA University of Pittsburgh, 1987

Michele F. McNamara, BSN University of Pittsburgh, 1987

Shannon D. Miller, BSW, MSW Carlow University, 2005; University of Pittsburgh, 2011

Karen Jean Morris, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2017

Marc Adam Nikoden, BGS Fort Hays State University, 2010

Daniel Omale, BS Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2017

Mallory Nicole Oslosky, BS Pennsylvania State University, 2011

Parul Paliwal, B.HSc, MBA Banasthali University, India, 2007; 2009

Sungmoo Park, BA Seoul National University, South Korea, 2007

Lena J. Picciano, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2008

Kimberly Marie Rehak, BA, MA Allegheny College, 2002; University of Pittsburgh, 2010

Mathew Romick, BS University of Pittsburgh, 2000

Benjamin Y. Shaw, BS, MA Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2001; Liberty University, 2015

Michael L. Stephens, BS U.S. Military Academy, 2007

Angela M. Stiffey, BS University of Pittsburgh, 2007

Teresa Lynn Trich, BA Point Park University, 2001

David Franklin Tye, BS, MS Northern Arizona University, 1999; American University, 2007

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Christine Tyler, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2016

Brenda Elizabeth Vasilescu, BA University of Pittsburgh, 2007

Amylyn Verrone, BA Mercyhurst University, 2011

Wenyu Xiang, MD Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China, 1990

Tae Wone Yang, BS Chonbuk National University, South Korea, 2002

Heesung You, BA Seoul National University, South Korea, 1997

Kevin J. Zwick, BA Marywood University, 2009

Doctor of Public and International AffairsJennifer M. Bert, BA, MPIA

Temple University, 2003; University of Pittsburgh, 2010

Dissertation: “An Evaluation of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program in Pittsburgh Using Event History Analysis.”

Alexander Mark Halman, BA, MPA Binghamton University, 2012; 2013

Dissertation: “What’s with the Attitude? Policymaker Attitudes towards Intelligence and National Security.”

Jessica Erin Hanson-DeFusco, BA, ME Colorado State University, 2003; Harvard University, 2007

Dissertation: “Fatal Remedies: Child Sexual Abuse and Education Policy in Liberia.”

Raymond Ruscoe, BA, MA Franciscan University of Steubenville, 1997; American Military University, 2007

Dissertation: “Prying the Bond that Ties: Breaking Variations in Nuclear Capabilities from Changes in Strategic Stability.”

Yoon Ah Shin, BPA, MPA Ewha Womans University, South Korea, 2009; 2012

Dissertation: “Network Coordination of Relief Logistics and Its Impact on Field Operations in Emergency Health Services: The Ebola Crisis in Liberia in 2014.”

Jee Eun Song, BS, MS Seoul National University, South Korea, 2007; Carnegie Mellon University, 2010

Dissertation: “The Increasing Calls for a Human Right to Water and Participatory Governance in Water Policy.”

Nami Yoon, BE, MPP Kyunghee University, South Korea, 1998; Harvard University, 2006

Dissertation: “Three Essays on Food and Drug Administration’s Postmarketing Studies on Prescription Drugs in the Virginia.“

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The Gloria Fitzgibbons Memorial Fund Award, for a female honoree in high scholastic standing, who is graduating from the MPA or MPPM program with potential to become a recognized public administrator, is awarded to Melissa L. Ostrowski and Kimberly Marie Rehak.

The Sergeant James “Rip” Taylor Memorial Endowment Fund Award, for a student who has shown outstanding academic achievement and exemplifies Sergeant Taylor’s spirit of public service, is awarded to Amanda Kim Carpenter, Prince D. Matthews, Kelsey Elizabeth Peterson, and David Franklin Tye.

Taraknath Das Foundation Award, for an outstanding student with a primary interest in the international problems of Asia, is awarded to Michelle G. Ozaeta for the paper, “Sex, Drugs, and Tom Yum Goong: An analysis of the current state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in key populations in Thailand.”

The David E. Oeler Award, for an outstanding student in the field of information systems, is awarded to Sean Hudson.

Simon Reich Human Security Writing Award, for the best research or policy paper on a human security topic, is awarded to Emma E. Lamberton for the paper “Chinggis Khaan as a Nationalist Symbol: Is he the egalitarian figure Eurasia needs to stem violence against women?”

Kevin Morrison Memorial Award, for the student with the most outstanding work in statistics and quantitative methods during the academic year, is awarded to Eric Alejandro Acosta.

Doctoral Program Faculty Award, for the most distinguished record among graduates of the Doctoral Program in terms of academic achievement and service to the School, will be announced at a later date.

International Affairs Program Faculty Award, for the most distinguished record among graduates of the International Affairs Program in terms of academic achievement and service to the School, is awarded to Megan E. Bailey.

International Development Program Faculty Award, for the most distinguished record among graduates of the International Development Program in terms of academic achievement and service to the School, is awarded to Kaleb A. Eldridge.

Public Administration Program Faculty Award, for the most distinguished record among graduates of the Public Administration Program in terms of academic achievement and service to the School, is awarded to Mary Kathleen Belonus.

Public Policy and Management Program Faculty Award, for the most distinguished record among graduates of the Public Policy and Management Program in terms of academic achievement and service to the School, is awarded to Brenda Elizabeth Vasilescu.

Dean’s Award, for the most distinguished record among students in the graduating class in terms of academic achievement and service to the School, is awarded to Samantha Monks, Kaitlin Elizabeth Powers and Emma S. Yourd.

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CONGRATULATIONSTO ALL 2020 GSPIA GRADUATES!