Congrats to the CASL and the COB Medallion winners

UM-Dearborn honors a select group of students each semester with Medallion Awards. Chosen by faculty from their respective colleges, graduates are recognized for their outstanding quality of character, intellect, integrity and academic record.

Three Dean’s Medallion awardees are chosen per college — 12 students overall — with one student selected to receive the top honor — the Chancellor’s Medallion. This semester’s Chancellor’s Medallion winner comes from the College of Education, Health and Human Services. All awardees will be recognized during the Dec. 20 commencement celebrations.

Here are the Fall 2025 College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and the College of Business recipients.

The awardees from the College of Education, Health and Human Services and CECS will be featured in Thursday’s Reporter.

Dean’s Medallion

College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Julia Fahling

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in international studies with concentrations in Spanish and museum studies, and Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic studies

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W22, F23, W24, F24); Honors Scholar (2025); James B. Angell Scholar (W25); Dean’s List (F21-W25)

Scholarships: Michigan Competitive Scholarship, Honors Scholarship, Beth A. Beson Anthropology Field Study Scholarship 

Academic Achievements and Internships: As a double major, Fahling has been recognized as an outstanding student by both Hispanic Studies and Behavioral Science faculty. She has worked as an archaeology research assistant under the supervision of Professor of Anthropology John Chenoweth, contributing to the study of Great Lakes trade networks. In Summer 2025, she completed a scholarship-supported archaeological field workshop on Roman pottery in North Macedonia.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: La Mezcla (Spanish club), Candid Conversations, Cultural Showcase Night organizer, Study Abroad (Spain), museum conservation work (Henry Ford Museum), young adult ministry (Ward Church)

Future Plans: Fahling is currently employed as a conservation specialist at the Henry Ford Museum. She plans to continue in this role while applying to graduate programs in art conservation.

Sara Moughni

Degree: Bachelor of Science in behavioral and biological sciences

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (F22, W23, W24, W25); James B. Angell Scholar (W24, W25), William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (W23), Dean’s List (F22-S25) 

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship, Honors Scholarship, Rosa Parks Scholarship 

Academic Achievements and Internships: Moughni has been recognized for academic excellence in multiple fields as recipient of the General Chemistry and ACS Organic Chemistry awards, and the Behavioral and Biological Sciences Outstanding Student and Research awards. She has conducted neurobiology research in the laboratory of Associate Professor of Neurobiology Zhi “Elena” Zhang since Fall 2022, co-authoring three publications and receiving a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience fellowship. 

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Creative Needs Project (chapter president), Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (youth fellow), Center for Health and Research Transformation (community advisory board), volunteer with Mainstay Foundation and Zaman International, medical scribe and medical assistant with local clinics 

Future Plans: Moughni has completed pre-medicine prerequisites as a BBS major and has been accepted to Michigan State University Medical School. She will begin in Fall 2026.

Mohammad Serhan

Degree: Bachelor of Science in biological sciences; minors in music and philosophy

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (F23, F24, W25); James B. Angell Scholar (W25); William J. Branstrom Prize (W24); Dean’s List (F23-W25)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Serhan has conducted research on cell chirality in the laboratory of Assistant Professor of Biology Jie Fan, for which he was recognized with Best Presentation at the 2025 Natural Sciences Poster Session and Research Awards. He is currently drafting two research papers based on this work. He was recognized by Natural Sciences faculty with the 2025 Cell and Molecular Biology Award. 

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Philosophy Club, Wolverine Mentor Collective peer mentor, piano instructor and performer, medical assistant (Breathing and Sleep Medical Center), math peer tutor (Henry Ford College), Dearborn poll worker, clinical volunteer, community tree planting volunteer, assistant soccer coach

Future Plans: Serhan plans to continue conducting research with Professor Fan and Associate Professor of Neurobiology Zhi “Elena” Zhang, while applying to medical school. 

College of Business

Christopher Hinojosa 

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (F24, W25); Dean’s List (F23-W25)

Scholarships: College of Business Undergraduate 4+1 Scholarship; Destination Maize; Tax Executives Institute Accounting Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Hinojosa completed an internship at Ernst & Young in  summer 2025, where he specialized in technology risk assurance. He honed his technical skills working on the global audit engagement for General Motors, one of EY’s most complex and high-profile accounts. This work included in-depth analysis of complicated systems and navigating multifaceted information system processes, while also requiring strong collaboration skills and professionalism. His supervisor, Nevada Hargress, described Hinojosa as a “gold-standard intern” and noted that his proactiveness and adaptability made him stand out among his peers.

As a transfer student, Hinojosa’s academic career has not been a straightforward journey. He began at Schoolcraft College with a plan to study engineering but ultimately chose to pursue business. He transferred to UM-Dearborn to take advantage of its smaller class sizes and opportunities to connect with faculty. Hinojosa’s academic skills were apparent early on, when he excelled in Accounting Information Systems, which is known to be one of the most difficult courses in the undergraduate accounting program. His outstanding performance earned him a position as a grader for the course for three semesters beginning in Fall 2024. The instructor for the class, Associate Professor of Accounting Kevin Kobelsky, praised Hinojosa’s ability to go above and beyond and his dedication to helping his peers learn, all while balancing personal challenges and volunteer work. 

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, Gleaners Food Bank, guest speaker for BA 100

Future Plans: Hinojosa has accepted an offer to return to Ernst & Young in their technology risk division following the success of his summer internship. He plans to take the CPA exam with Information Systems and Control as the discipline section, and to one day pursue certifications and a master’s degree in the cybersecurity field.

Jessica Ley 

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and finance

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W23, F24, W25); Dean’s List (F21-F23, F24-W25)

Scholarships: College of Business Undergraduate 4+1 Scholarship; EY-Hilary Q. Kind Memorial Scholarship; Kris and Ruth Pfaehler Scholarship; College of Business Board of Advisors Scholarship; Central Study Abroad Scholarship; Michael and Vana Surmanian Family Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Ley worked as an assurance intern at Yeo & Yeo from January  to August 2024 and began another internship there in May 2025. In her role, Ley has been responsible for auditing financial statements and has strengthened her communication and collaboration skills by working with other audit teams and contacting clients. Ley’s academic excellence led to her becoming a supplemental instructor from September 2023 to April 2025. She received frequent positive feedback from students who attended her sessions. 

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Beta Alpha Psi member since W23; BAP Assistant Director of Member Relations (F23); BAP Director of Member Relations (W24); BAP Co-President (F24-present); Beta Gamma Sigma honor society; International Summer Program in Management (ISPM-Italy) participant; frequent guest speaker in BA 100; student speaker for COB Celebration of Excellence; panelist for Michigan Association of CPAs High School Leadership Event; speaker for Undergraduate Admissions recruiting event; volunteer at Edgemont Elementary; Fleece & Thank You volunteer

BAP’s faculty advisor, Lecturer of Accounting Patricia Graybeal, praised Ley’s dedication to creating opportunities for members to grow professionally and give back to their communities, describing her as a selfless role model who epitomizes UM-Dearborn’s values. 

Future Plans: In January 2026, Ley will begin working full time at Yeo & Yeo as a member of the assurance staff. She will complete her Master of Science in accounting and graduate in May 2026 as a participant in the 4+1 program and begin preparing for the CPA exams.

Mariana Molinari Barros 

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain management and finance

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (F21, W22); William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (W22); Dean’s List (F21-W25)

Scholarships: Council for Insurance Agents and Brokers Scholarship, Michael and Vana Surmanian Family Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Molinari Barros has completed several internships in the supply chain field. In summer 2023, she was a materials intern at Adient, where she enhanced inventory control processes and supported the implementation of new management systems. From October 2023 to March 2024, Molinari Barros was a student buyer on the Mechatronics and Modules Purchasing team at Stellantis and improved her analysis and project planning skills. In summer 2025, she took on greater project coordination responsibilities in her project management internship at OneDigital.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Office of Student Life Leadership Program; International Summer Program in Management (ISPM-Italy); Midwest Decision Science Institute Case Competition (team earned second place); Supply Chain Association member since Fall 2021; SCA Director of Events (September 2021-May 2022, September 2025-present); SCA President (September 2023-May 2024, Winter 2025); Society for Human Resource Management Vice President of Recruitment (Winter 2025); SHRM General Vice President (September 2022-March 2023) 

Molinari Barros led the College of Business team to second place in the 2024 MWDSI Case Competition. She guided the team through project design and execution and faced some of the difficulties of being a leader when she had to restructure the team to address performance challenges. Her natural talent for project management has also been praised by her OneDigital supervisor Hannah Zieser, who noted Molinari Barros’ ability to comprehend all levels of a project and described her as “one of the most impressive early-career professionals” she has met. Molinari Barros has given back to the College of Business by developing presentation training for future case competition teams and creating new industry connections as a leader of the Supply Chain Association while increasing membership numbers. 

Future Plans: Molinari Barros has already taken on a full-time role at OneDigital as a project coordinator and will continue to pursue her passion for project management. She plans to earn her Project Management Professional certification in 2026 and eventually pursue a master’s degree in the field.