Congratulations to our 2023 honorees
We are pleased to celebrate these 2023 Plater Medallion recipients.
Undergraduate recipients
Ashlynn Beard
School of Science
Ashlynn M. Beard, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations throughout Indiana by working with students under the Student Learning Recovery Grant and through researching symptoms of schizophrenia for treatment development. For two years, Ashlynn worked as a volunteer research assistant for Eskenazi Health under Kyle Stuart Minor, and for the past year she has strengthened community ties through tutoring and mentoring at Arsenal Technical High School.
Ishita Bhedi
School of Engineering and Technology
Ishita Bhedi, a Purdue School of Engineering and Technology graduate from Doha, Qatar, is dedicated to bringing about a positive difference in the community through volunteering at Coburn Place, promoting inclusiveness for women engineers, advocating for resources and equitability through the Undergraduate Student Government, and representing IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) as one of the 2023 500 Festival Princesses. Through IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), Ishita has learned the essence of leadership with integrity, insight, and inclusiveness; the three pillars that she strives to maintain.
Kartikay Gulia
School of Science
Kartikay Gulia, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Gurgaon, Haryana, India, is dedicated to serving what was formerly the IUPUI community by ensuring that student concerns are heard and resolved. Kartikay has served in multiple leadership positions within the Undergraduate Student Government and worked on several initiatives to better what was formerly the IUPUI community. Kartikay believes leadership is not about the position, but about passion; it is not about image, but rather impact.
Olivia Hendzel
School of Science
Olivia Hendzel, a Purdue School of Science senior from Hebron, Indiana, is dedicated to the promotion of community well-being and engagement through her numerous involvements. For the past four years, Olivia has been involved in the Honors Peer Mentor program to aid freshmen in the adjustment to college. She is also involved with the Bepko Learning Center as an academic mentor for human anatomy as well as a volunteer at Gleaners Food Bank.
Andrea Jacobson
School of Engineering and Technology
Andrea Jacobson, a Purdue School of Engineering and Technology graduate from Lafayette, Indiana, is dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse through volunteer work, advocacy, and mental health and global health research. During her time at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), she founded and grew the Domestic Abuse Prevention Student Organization to over 150 members and secured over $1,000 for events. She is passionate about using her skills to raise awareness for issues of interpersonal violence.
Medha Vijay Kulkarni
School of Science
Medha Vijay Kulkarni, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Pune, India, advocates for dismantling oppressive systems and uplifting marginalized voices. Her education and civic leadership experiences have equipped her to promote social justice and active citizenship, which she has demonstrated through alternative breaks, Social Justice Scholars, Women in Science House, and Newman Civic Fellowship Program. Medha will continue her unwavering dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Lainy McCoy
School of Nursing
Lainy McCoy, an Indiana University School of Nursing graduate from Covington, Indiana, is committed to increasing health equity and accessibility in underserved populations across the state of Indiana. Through working as an EMT and holding leadership roles within organizations such as the IU Student Outreach Clinic and IU Health GOAL University, she has been inspired to work with community leaders to advocate for changes that will provide increased health care quality and accessibility to a diverse population.
Rujuta Parekar
School of Science
Rujuta Parekar, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Pune, India, is dedicated to educating, supporting, and empowering the community of Indianapolis. Through her work with a local nonprofit organization, MCCOY, and her role as a peer mentor, Rujuta has contributed to addressing issues surrounding youth education and mental well-being. She cares deeply for her community and is passionate about providing everyone with equal educational opportunities and access to mental health resources.
Mark Saad
School of Science
Mark Saad, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Carmel, Indiana, is dedicated to advocating for increased access to health care. He promotes equity, equality, and inclusion of underrepresented populations through meaningful involvement with organizations such as the IU School of Medicine and IU School of Dentistry. Mark is optimistic that his valuable experiences working with diverse populations and missions will assist him in being the change he desires to see in his community.
Katherine Shr
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, School of Science
Katherine Shr, an Indiana University O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Purdue School of Science graduate from Greenwood, Indiana, are dedicated to loving the city they came to college for and creating relationships and building communities while championing issues like LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and working against gender-based violence. During their time at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), they have been a proud SYZter of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Incorporated.
Roman Strobel
School of Science
Roman Strobel, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Fishers, Indiana, is dedicated to helping the underserved in his community by serving as the director of a well-known clinic in Indianapolis that strives to mitigate the existing health care disparities. He also continues to offer his time and talents by volunteering at the IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) Paws' Pantry to lessen the food insecurity that his fellow peers may experience.
Precious-Favour Taniform
School of Engineering and Technology
Precious-Favour Taniform, a Purdue School of Engineering and Technology graduate from Bamenda, Cameroon, is dedicated to mentoring and promoting the international community at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis). For nearly three years, Precious has been a mentor for the Women's Engineering Network, a Peer-Led Team Learning leader, and an active e-board member for the international club where she uses her skills to assist students and promote the diverse cultures at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis).
Rashi Tyagi
School of Science
Rashi Tyagi, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Delhi, India, is passionate about addressing social issues and advocating for a more equitable society. Being a part of CRISP and the Polis Center at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), she used her education and skills to make a positive impact in the community and beyond. As a social justice scholar on campus, she created a space for students to learn and engage in social justice issues.
Miriam Vega Sandoval
School of Health and Human Sciences
Miriam Vega Sandoval, an Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences student from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is dedicated to helping students in her school. For two years, she was a first-year seminar mentor for the School of Health and Human Sciences where she helped freshmen have a smooth transition from high school to college by sharing academic resources, financial aid information, and volunteer opportunities.
Payten Ybanez
School of Science
Payten Ybanez, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Plainfield, Indiana, is dedicated to using her forensic and investigative science degree to help her community. For nearly four years, Payten has been volunteering at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) Paw's Pantry, Ronald McDonald House, and Dance Marathon. She is also a Bonner Leader under the Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholarship Program. She is passionate about food insecurity, child health, and helping the unhoused population.
Graduate recipients
Christina Dantam
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Christina Dantam, an Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to advancing reproductive autonomy and equitable access to health care. Christina has partnered with the Indiana Women's Prison to develop health promotional road maps for incarcerated women. Through her nonprofit involvement, she has advanced comprehensive health care improvement, educational planning, and improved social well-being for children of low socioeconomic status in India. She has also served as president of the MPH Student Association.
Kate Kollman
School of Nursing
Kate Kollman, an Indiana University School of Nursing doctor of nursing practice graduate from Lafayette, Indiana, is determined to create a positive change. Kate's passions are rooted in democratic values to address health inequity, racism, aging, immigration, and food insecurity. Kate loves to volunteer. Kate is a grateful member of IUPUI's (now IU Indianapolis's) Graduate and Professional Student Government, served as the first IU School of Nursing-AARP Legislative Fellow, and is the mother of two incredible kids.
Alejandra Mendez
School of Medicine
Alejandra Méndez, an Indiana University School of Medicine student from Mandeville, Louisiana, has spearheaded initiatives to provide free skin cancer screenings at the Student Outreach Clinic and skin care educational sessions for homeless women in Indianapolis through the Women's Dermatologic Society. It has been an honor for her to watch these initiatives blossom.
Alyssa Pier
School of Liberal Arts
Alyssa Pier, an Indiana University School of Liberal Arts graduate from Kokomo, Indiana, is dedicated to authentic storytelling, community collaboration, and representation of marginalized voices in history and museums. Advocating for sustainable partnerships and bridging relationships, Alyssa engages with the Indianapolis and campus communities along with her hometown in her responsibilities as collections intern at the Eiteljorg Museum, academic communications support in the Center for Service and Learning, and secretary for the Howard County Historical Society Board of Trustees.
Kevin Prather
School of Social Work
Kevin J. Prather, an Indiana University School of Social Work graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is committed to the protracted struggle that is necessary in community organizing to build community capacity to challenge capitalist systems of oppression. Kevin has worked in a peer recovery support role and organizes with local abolitionists to empower neighbors, confront injustice, and build a world that honors freedom and love.
Haleigh Rigger
School of Social Work
Haleigh Rigger, an Indiana University School of Social Work student from Bedford, Indiana, has a passion for creating safer communities through connection, interdependence, and accessibility. As a nonprofit consultant specializing in capacity building, program design, and evaluation, Haleigh brings over a decade of experience at the intersections of mental health and disability justice, housing access, and anti-violence.
Jake Whiteside
School of Medicine
Jake Whiteside, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Shelbyville, Indiana, is dedicated to improving the lives and safety of disabled veterans by leading the Indiana chapter of Purple Heart Homes, an organization that provides home modifications for veterans in need. To date, he has led the chapter in a $10,000+ ADA-compliant bathroom remodel and is currently working to expand partnerships across Indiana to serve even more veterans for years to come.