Congratulations to our 2021 honorees
We are pleased to celebrate these Plater Medallion recipients.
Undergraduate recipients
Kellie Alexander
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Kellie Alexander, a Lilly Family School of Philanthropy student from Kimmell, Indiana, is dedicated to health care access, medical research, and sustainable action in Indianapolis by working with Riley Hospital for Children through both Jagathon, IUPUI's (now IU Indianapolis's) Dance Marathon, and Phi Mu Rho Alpha. She has also worked in community development through the IU Student Outreach Clinic. For nearly four years, Kellie has been fundraising for patient care, medical research, and community health needs.
Jocelyn Blackburn
School of Science and School of Liberal Arts
Jocelyn Blackburn, a School of Science and School of Liberal Arts graduate from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is dedicated to addressing social issues and advocating for a more equitable society. Through her diverse service experiences, including opportunities through Riley Hospital for Children, National Residence Hall Honorary, and the Honors College Peer Mentor Program, Jocelyn has developed into a strong leader and communicator while giving back to her community.
Raven Brzeszkiewicz
School of Science
Raven Brzeszkiewicz, a School of Science graduate from Park Forest, Illinois, is dedicated to promoting activism and volunteerism within her community. She has volunteered at several vital locations in the Indianapolis community including Riley Hospital for Children and Horizon House. Raven served as a member of Women4Change @IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) where she has helped to increase equity and leadership skills for all women. As the Vice President of Membership for Jagathon 2021, Raven has also put effort into promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Alexa Carr
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and School of Science
Alexa Carr, a Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and School of Science graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to fundraising and advocating for improvements in healthcare and pediatric research. As a part of Riley Dance Marathon program for eight years and a Riley Hospital volunteer for three, Alexa plans to use her experiences to make a difference in the community. Alexa has also striven to make positive changes on IUPUI's (now IU Indianapolis's) campus through her time serving on the Chancellor's Advisory Board.
Cassidy Caudill
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Cassidy Caudill, a Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Pendleton, Indiana, is dedicated to reducing the burden that many IU Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI) students face as a result of housing and food insecurity issues through her work with Paw’s Closet, a free casual and professional clothing resource at IU Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI). As Chair of Paw’s Closet, Cassidy has coordinated volunteers, planned events, and sorted through donations for the hundreds of Paw’s Closet shoppers each academic year.
Supriya Chittajallu
School of Science and School of Liberal Arts
Supriya Chittajallu, a School of Science and School of Liberal Arts graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to serving vulnerable populations through work with veterans in the palliative care unit of the VA and the medically underserved population of the Eastside of Indianapolis. For nearly 3 years, Supriya has been a dedicated volunteer for both organizations working to find ways to contribute to their betterment.
Abolee Diwate
School of Engineering and Technology
Abolee Diwate, a School of Engineering and Technology graduate, is passionate about helping the minority population in America access better educational and economic resources. Along with Alternative Break, she has served as an action advocate for Women4Change, as an initiatives officer for the Undergraduate Student Government, and as a communications chair for Jagathon, in which she worked closely with community partners to raise funds for cancer patients at the Riley Hospital.
Beka Foote
School of Liberal Arts
Beka Foote, a School of Liberal Arts Graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to fighting for all people ‘s human rights in her community by working with nonprofits, such as Partners in Housing and the Center for Victim and Human Rights. Throughout her college career, Beka has been working to obtain knowledge and experience through schooling and volunteer internships to get a well-rounded view of how she can best fight for her community.
Micaela Gaviola
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Micaela Gaviola, a Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health graduate from Greenwood, Indiana, is dedicated to improving healthcare access and advocating for health equity both locally and globally. She served as President of the student health collaborative, VIDA Health Partnerships, and, for nearly three years, Micaela has been advocating with the Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group to expand access to contraception for our most vulnerable populations.
Isra Haider
School of Science and School of Liberal Arts
Isra Haider, a School of Science and School of Liberal Arts graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to addressing disparities in health outcomes in her community. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has advocated for the health and safety of Hoosier women through her involvement with Women4Change Indiana where she organized education, empowerment, and engagement efforts. She has also advocated for children’s health through her service at Riley Hospital for Children and Jagathon, IUPUI’s (now IU Indianapolis's) Dance Marathon.
Alyssa Kane
Kelley School of Business
Alyssa Kane, a Kelley School of Business graduate from New Albany, Indiana, is dedicated to wholistic economic and community development. For the last four years, Alyssa has aided in community development at home and abroad through weekly volunteering in the Fountain Square neighborhood and a summer volunteer trip to East India. In her senior year, she has started IUPUI's (now IU Indianapolis's) first Innovation Club to encourage her peers to use their degrees to help the Indianapolis community.
Mari Luna
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Mari Luna, a Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs undergraduate earning her degree in Civic Leadership with a certificate in social organizing, was involved in organizations that advocate for social justice, like the Sam Masarachia Scholars and Dreamers Alliance. She was a former Social Justice Scholar and the President of the Undergraduate Student Government. Off-campus she is a community organizer for the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance and Movimiento Cosecha, both of which fight for the permanent protection of all 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Sheetal Prasanna
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Mari Luna, a Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs undergraduate earning her degree in Civic Leadership with a certificate in social organizing, was involved in organizations that advocate for social justice, like the Sam Masarachia Scholars and Dreamers Alliance. She was a former Social Justice Scholar and the President of the Undergraduate Student Government. Off-campus she is a community organizer for the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance and Movimiento Cosecha, both of which fight for the permanent protection of all 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Kennedy Weaver
School of Health & Human Sciences
Kennedy MaKay Weaver, a School of Health and Human Sciences graduate from Shelbyville, Indiana, is dedicated to improving quality of life in rural and inner-city communities through fundraising, community partnership coordination, violence reduction training and awareness, cultural inclusion programming, grant writing and scoring, and empathetic strategy design and leadership. Since 2019, Kennedy has served in several entry and directors positions, assessing the current needs and climate of various Indiana counties, and actively researching and creating opportunities for all.
Dorothy Widelka
School of Social Work
Dorothy Widelka, a School of Social work graduate from Roselle, IL, believes social justice and community service are essential to the betterment of society. Through her experience as Circle K International President, a Social Justice Resident Assistant, and an intern at Children‘s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana, Dorothy has loved positively impacting her community and advocating for those in need.
Graduate Recipients
Kaitlin Elsasser
School of Health & Human Sciences
Kaitlin Elsasser, a School of Health and Human Sciences graduate and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Mishawaka, Indiana, is dedicated to working alongside and empowering community members within Indianapolis by serving at the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic. For the last three years, Kaitlin has served as a Physical Therapy Board Member for the I.U. Student Outreach Clinic through which she was able to uplift community members via pro-bono physical therapy services in addition to creating and updating clinic policies to best meet the community‘s needs.
Amber Greaney
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Amber Greaney, a Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate, from Avon, IN, is dedicated to advancing the 3 pillars of sustainability by creating health environments, resilient economies, and socially just communities. Amber has worked on community initiatives for the Mayor’s Office, IndyGo, PROMPT Research team, and IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis). She completed projects centered around environmental justice, sustainable development, and has written several winning grants with savings totaling a quarter metric ton of C02 and 1 million gallons of water annually.
Shae Jansen
School of Medicine
Shae Jansen, a School of Medicine graduate from Fishers, Indiana, is dedicated to serving underserved communities, investing in community empowerment, and learning alongside other cultures. Through working at the Student Outreach Clinic in Indianapolis and with organizations globally, she has learned that humility in partnership and patience for outcomes cultivates a foundation of impact. She dreams to work collaboratively towards advocating for just health care systems worldwide.
Nimisha Kumar
School of Medicine
Nimisha Kumar, a School of Medicine graduate from Carmel, IN, is a future OB/Gyn physician scientist passionate about women‘s health. As president of the Service Learning Coalition for two years, she optimized service opportunities for medical students across 28 existing projects and nine campuses. She also served on the Diversity Inclusion Committee of the national American Medical Women’s Association, encouraging the organization to promote equity through their events and membership.
Aaron McBride
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Aaron McBride, a Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to the development of improved quality of life for Central Indiana youth and families. For over eight years, Aaron has committed himself to this cause through his roles within social work and nonprofit management, specifically working in mental health and restorative justice to ensure youth and families in Indiana maintain equitable opportunities for future success.
Latosha Rowley
School of Education
Latosha Rowley, a School of Education graduate, is committed to community-engaged learning experiences for youth leadership and development. She has worked with IPS #51 and #56 as a mentor, Harrison Art Center, IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) Public Policy as a researcher, and Community and Faith Outreach for Grandchildren as a volunteer for the well-being of marginalized and underserved children and families. Collaborating with communities in positive, human-centered relationships is her priority to address the educational, healthcare, and economic disparities to build stronger families and communities.
Sydney Twiggs
School of Dentistry
Sydney Twiggs, a School of Dentistry graduate from Terre Haute, Indiana, is dedicated to giving back to her community through mentoring, outreach, and helping her patients achieve proper access to oral care. For over three years, she has served as a mentor for her high school student mentee through the Starfish Initiative, while also leading in a variety of dental school organizations helping to ensure a dental home for those in Marion County.
Mitch Westberg
School of Dentistry
Mitchell Westberg, a School of Dentistry graduate from Albany, Oregon, is dedicated to providing oral health care to the greater Indianapolis community through service and outreach by serving as the chair of dental operations for the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic (IUSOC). For nearly four years, Mitchell has promoted the oral health and overall well-being of Indianapolis’ most vulnerable populations through his involvement and dedication to the IUSOC, Give Kids a Smile, and his school‘s Wellness Committee.
Andre Zhang Sonera
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Andre Zhang Sonera, a Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, has shared his dedication and passion for community building as a Big Brother and a civic volunteer. Over the past five years, Andre has served as a project manager for the Mayor‘s Office at the City of Indianapolis, where he works across several departments to further improve Indianapolis while ensuring equity and access among its residents.