Congratulations to our 2024 honorees
We are pleased to celebrate these 2024 Plater Medallion recipients.
Recipients
Oriana Fuenmayor
School of Liberal Arts
Oriana Fuenmayor, an Indiana University School of Liberal Arts graduate from Maracaibo, Venezuela, is dedicated to addressing community needs and promoting social justice. For a semester, she worked as a Writing Consultant at the University Writing Center, where she was part of the Language and Cultural Diversity Committee. Additionally, she has served the community by volunteering as a medical interpreter for Trinity Free Clinic, and interning with two nonprofit organizations: Domestic Violence Network and Women4Change.
Belen Alvarado-Roman
School of Health and Human Sciences
Belen Alvarado-Roman, an Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences graduate from Warsaw, Indiana, is dedicated to fostering community partnerships, contributing to ongoing research initiatives, and advocating for responsible industry practices striving towards the United Nations 17 Sustainable Goals. Through roles at Visit Indy, Community Engagement Associate in Community Based Tourism, and volunteering, Belen has been involved in communities from Indianapolis to Miami-Dade County and Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. She emphasizes Hoosier hospitality in every interaction.
Joseph (Joey) Ballard
School of Medicine
Joseph Ballard, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Evansville, Indiana, is a leader within the Student Outreach Clinic and a patient advocate through his work with organized medicine. For the past two years, Joseph has worked on projects at the clinic connecting patients with resources and standardizing volunteer protocols. He has also authored thirteen resolutions adopted by the Indiana State Medical Association and the American Medical Association that are now official policy.
Harshit (Harry) Chaubey
School of Engineering and Technology
Harshit Chaubey, a Purdue School of Engineering and Technology graduate from New Delhi, India, is dedicated to leveraging his expertise in Music Technology to foster inclusivity and positive social impact. He strives to accomplish this through collaborating on efforts across disciplines, working to enhance accessibility in music creation, promoting empathy and dialogue on social justice issues, improving food security for students, and advocating for compassionate animal welfare practices.
Madeline Craw
School of Health and Human Sciences
Madeline Craw, an Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences student from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is dedicated to pro bono services for all ages in the Greater Indianapolis area. Madeline has been actively involved in the two largest student-run organizations of the IU DPT program, Go Baby Go! and the IU Student Outreach Clinic. She has encouraged others to serve in the community and to share in her true spirit for service work.
Michael Fletcher
School of Science
Michael Fletcher, a Purdue School of Science and Indiana University School of Liberal Arts graduate from Greenwood, Indiana, is dedicated to acknowledging, edifying, and combating inequalities in healthcare related to access, education, and stigma. Through his experiences as a PCA on a cardiac ICU at Methodist, his work within VIDA Health Partnerships as the VP of Service Learning, and medical humanities education, he is ready to incorporate this foundation as he strives to increase access.
Daniel Green
School of Medicine
Daniel Green, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Munster, Indiana, is dedicated to improving the health of children and communities by addressing the social drivers of health. His advocacy and community engagement has centered around alleviating food insecurity with community gardens and an urban farm, providing hundreds of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, and advocating for housing-insecure women and children through the legal system.
Maribel Hernández
School of Science
Maribel Hernández, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Kaufman, Texas, is dedicated to education, service, and advocacy. She has done so by volunteering on a committee through the Women in Hi-Tech organization for K-12 STEAM Outreach. Additionally, throughout her graduate studies, Maribel has been active in volunteering in the city of Indianapolis, mentoring undergraduate students through research, and in DEI efforts for graduate and professional students at IU Indianapolis.
Simi Kaur
School of Science
Simi Kaur, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Franklin, Indiana, is committed to serving the community and making meaningful changes through volunteering and researching. Simi was a part of an international service program where she helped build houses and volunteered at a clinic in the Dominican Republic. With her undergraduate biology research, Simi analyzed green spaces in Indianapolis for lead contamination to ensure the spaces were safe for children and families to play in.
Nabia Khan
School of Medicine
Nabia Khan, a Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Wheeling, Illinois, is committed to advocating for communities from diverse and underserved backgrounds with her research and work as a campus liaison for the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Throughout her medical education, Nabia served as president of the Student Outreach Clinic in West Lafayette and acted as a founder in establishing the first medical student-lead health site within the area.
Jenna Nicodemus
Fairbanks School of Public Health
Jenna Nicodemus, an Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health graduate from McCordsville, Indiana, is dedicated to driving her privilege to purpose in serving her community. She has volunteered with over 10 organizations in Indianapolis that has touched the lives of youth experiencing homelessness, athletes, those who experienced domestic violence, youth residing in high-crime neighborhoods, and the general public. Throughout college she has been a program planner, tutor, helping hand, and role model for youth in Indianapolis.
Faith Odiete
O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Faith Odiete, Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate, from Lagos, Nigeria, is committed to the growth and success of teenagers in underrepresented communities by serving as mentor with DREAM Alive. In 2023, she proudly represented IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) as a 500 Festival Princess during the iconic Indy 500. Additionally, with three years of military service, Faith is a dedicated cadet with the IUPD, safeguarding the staff and students of the IU community.
Gisela Perez
School of Health and Human Sciences
Gisela Perez, an Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences student from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a passionate advocate for social change. Gisela is deeply committed to driving transformation within the Latino community. Her focus is on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as she believes in fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. She is dedicated to serving and uplifting her community and is committed to making a positive difference.
RaeVen Ridgell
O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
RaeVen Ridgell, an Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Mesa, Arizona, is intentional about ensuring that marginalized communities receive what they need to thrive in our world by dismantling systems of oppression. With more than a decade working for organizations like Planned Parenthood and other advocacy organizations, she prides herself in being the bridge between community and policy. RaeVen encourages and teaches communities how to participate in policy where they can to fight for a greater tomorrow.
Yaqoub Saadeh
School of Science
Yaqoub Saadeh, a Purdue School of Science graduate from Fishers, Indiana, is dedicated to working towards the liberation of all oppressed people around the world, most specifically indigenous communities who have suffered from settler colonialism and racism. He’s been engaged in community service on campus for four years as a Bonner Leader Scholar. He has served as the USG 2024 class representative and currently serves as the president of the Middle Eastern Student Association on campus.
Ayesha Saeed
Kelley School of Business
Ayesha Saeed, an Indiana University Kelley School of Business graduate from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health issues and serving as an active member of the community. Throughout her time at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), Ayesha has served on the Chancellor’s Student Mental Health Council, as the Active Minds president, and as the Philanthropic Regional Director advocating for students mental health, reducing stigmas, and increasing literacy opportunities across the nation.
Mariam Silman
School of Dentistry
Mariam Silman, an Indiana University School of Dentistry graduate from Northwest, Indiana, is dedicated to provide dental care to her neighbors and those beyond the Indiana border. As a community leader, Mariam has worked on various projects to raise over $5000 to provide free dental care for those in need. As a future dentist, Mariam is determined to empower her patients with a confident smile that they start their day and end their day with.
Kathryn (Kate) Sokolowski
School of Medicine
Kathryn Sokolowski, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Elkhart, Indiana, is committed to serving as an advocate for under-represented groups. Her favorite advocacy role has been working as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children with open DCS cases. She also has a strong passion for global health, serving as President for the IUSM 7Elements student interest group and travels frequently to the Dominican Republic to improve access to healthcare in rural areas.
Kavin Thakkar
Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
Kavin Thakkar, an Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering graduate from South Elgin, Illinois, is dedicated to improving the lives of others through service, leadership, and technology. For his entire career at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), he served with volunteer organization Circle K International and at all levels of student government, effecting positive change. As a leader and user experience designer, Kavin seeks to better his community by advocating for a brighter tomorrow.
Collin Wilkins
School of Medicine
Collin Wilkins, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to youth mentorship for those in urban environments. Volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana for nearly seven years, he not only remains a stable source of guidance for his Little, but has greatly expanded the mentorship pool within the Indianapolis community by recruiting the most amount of new Big mentors for any one corporation in 2022.
John (Johnny) Willems
School of Social Work
John Willems, a graduate of the Indiana University School of Social Work from Cedar Lake, Indiana, exemplifies the principles of service and social justice in their community endeavors. Leveraging his artistic practice, his role at Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center, and IU School of Social Work Career Services, John serves as an active catalyst for transformative social change.