Congrats to the CECS and CEHHS Medallion winners

Graduating students from College of Education, Health and Human Services and the College of Engineering and Computer Science contributed to medical research, elementary school classrooms and healthcare access.

In recognition of their work, as well as their academic achievements and leadership, three graduating students from each college earned the Dean’s Medallion award. These students will be recognized during the May 2 commencement celebrations.

Read about the awardees from the College of Business and College of Arts, Sciences and Letters. A CASL student earned the Chancellor’s Medallion, the university’s highest graduating student honor.

Dean’s Medallion

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Sena Alenzi 

Degree: Dual Bachelor of Science in Engineering in mechanical engineering and bioengineering

Awards, Honors and Distinction: James B. Angell Scholar (2024); William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (2023); Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Award (2024); EXP+ Student Independent Research Grant (2025); James and Jeraldine Poe Research Assistantship (2025) 

Scholarships: Altair #OnlyForward Scholarship (2023); Subrata Sengupta Endowed Scholarship (2023); Iris Becker Endowed Scholarship (2023) 

Academic Achievements and Internships: Sena was an undergraduate research assistant at UM-Dearborn from 2024-2026. During her research, she designed and optimized in vitro microfluidic models of neurovascular diseases to investigate cerebral blood vessel dysfunction, altered flow states and neuroinflammatory signaling using the MicroSiM platform. Other duties included culturing and maintaining human vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, performing fluorescence imaging and other advanced analyses, and assisting in management of lab operations. 

Sena was a student intern at DTE Energy Gas Distribution and Operations Engineering, starting in January 2024. There, her duties included designing natural gas mains and service lines for residential, commercial and industrial customers; developing engineering specifications and construction packets for utility field crews and third-party contractors; modeling pipeline performance using Synergi Gas hydraulic simulation software; and reviewing mechanical drawings for new pipeline installations. She also completed a medical assistant internship at Premier Cardiovascular Specialists Clinic in Dearborn.

During her studies at the UM-Dearborn, Sena completed several faculty-guided undergraduate research projects, including “A Quantitative Assay for Macrophage Phagocytosis of the Extracellular Matrix,” “Induced Phenotype Switching in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Microvascular Mimetics,” and “TBI-on-a-Chip Model for Investigating Neurovascular Inflammation and Microglial Activation.” The projects were supported by the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Award (2024); EXP+ Student Independent Research Grant (2025) and James and Jeraldine Poe Research Assistantship (2025).

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Media coordinator for Tau Beta Pi, engineering honors society; president and outreach coordinator for the Biomedical Engineering Society; general member and outreach coordinator of the Society of Women Engineers.

Future Plans: Sena seeks to focus on a field that encapsulates her desire to improve human health through the betterment of the environment. After graduating, she plans to pursue a master's degree in materials science and engineering or environmental engineering at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Entering the fast-growing field of technology, she aspires to use this graduate degree for a career in the development of bioinspired materials that improve nature and human health in tandem. After a master’s, she would like to continue her studies in a doctoral program or as a research and development engineer.

Sayush Dalal

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering in human-centered engineering design

Awards, Honors and Distinction: Human-Centered Engineering Design Honors Award (W25); Dean’s List (F23-W26)

Scholarships: International Undergraduate Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Sayush gained early industry experience through internships at Pwani Oil, a multinational fast moving consumer goods company, and Mapayah, a boutique children’s furniture startup, where he was introduced to real-world product development and cross-functional collaboration. Building on that foundation, he transferred from the product design program at ATLAS SkillTech University in Mumbai to UM-Dearborn in Fall 2023 to pursue human-centered engineering design, drawn to its distinctive blend of engineering rigor and design thinking. The program exposed him to how products are conceptualized within companies, from need finding and ideation to prototyping, manufacturing strategy and market launch, while emphasizing the importance of patents and protecting intellectual property. Through HCED, he developed a systems-level perspective and a deeper understanding of how innovation moves from concept to impact.

Alongside his studies, Sayush served as a research assistant contributing to product development initiatives focused on cold plasma applications across various industries. He also served as a teaching assistant for ENGR 100: Introduction to the Engineering Design Process, mentoring first-year students through their first hands-on engineering projects. These roles reflect his commitment to connecting research, product development and mentorship while contributing meaningfully to both industry-focused innovation and the academic community.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: President of Alpha Pi MU honor society; Teaching Lab Assistant for ENGR 100 and HCED 380; research assistant under Professor of Mechanical Engineering Provansu Mohanty and Visiting Research Scientist Volodymyr Golota

Future Plans: Sayush plans to apply his experience at leading consumer product companies and industrial manufacturing firms, where he hopes to contribute to the development of impactful and scalable products. At the same time, he intends to build his own startup by transforming one of his academic projects into a viable business venture that addresses a genuine human need. His long-term goal is to combine industry experience with entrepreneurial initiative, creating products that are not only technically sound but also meaningful and socially relevant. 

Jack Wagner

Degree: Dual Bachelor of Science in computer and information science with an artificial intelligence concentration and in CIS mathematics

Awards, Honors and Distinction: Dean’s List (F22-F25); University Honors (F22-F25); James B. Angell Scholar (W24, W25); William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (W23)

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship (2022-26); Honors Scholarship (2022-26)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Jack has demonstrated strong academic performance and leadership through research, teaching, and industry experience. In summer 2024, Jack participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience under Associate Professor of Industrial and Mechanical Systems Engineering Zhen Hu. In October 2025, he further expanded his research portfolio in the Pervasive Computing Lab under Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Science Zheng Song, where he studied the role of large language models in accuracy-aware web service selection. A research paper resulting from this work is in submission.  

During the summer of 2025, Jack worked as a software engineering intern at KLA in Ann Arbor on their Services Division’s Site Reliability Engineering team. His academic excellence earned him positions as a supplemental instruction leader for PHYS 151 from January to December 2024 and as a grader for CIS 479 from January to April 2026.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Jack worked as a peer mentor and tutor at the Engineering Learning Center, where he helped co-teach ENGR 095 and tutored students in computer science and statistics. He also worked as an orientation leader during the summers of 2023 and 2024, assisting in hundreds of incoming students’ campus tours and registration. 

Demonstrating leadership, Jack co-founded and served as president of the Artificial Intelligence Club, where he launched the AI4ALL initiative, organizing interdisciplinary workshops, guest speakers and the inaugural Pitchathon to help promote AI literacy. 

Jack served as treasurer for the Beta chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the Computer and Information Science honors society, and was on the secretariat for Model United Nations at UM-Ann Arbor from 2024 to 2026, helping administer Model UN conferences for more than 850 high school students at the University of Michigan.

Future Plans: Jack plans to pursue his master’s in computer science at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University or Brown University. He aims to conduct research in trustworthy artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction and work his way towards becoming a professor.

College of Education, Health and Human Services

Gabriela Barajas

Degree: Bachelor of Science in health and human service, human services concentration 

Awards, Honors and Distinction: UM-Dearborn Honors (F24-F25); Dean’s List (F24-F25); Michael & Cindy Berry Scholarship; Bhungalia Family Scholarship; Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship; Henry Ford College summa cum laude graduate and Dean’s List (F23-W24); Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; Henry Ford Health Community Impact Award

Academic Achievements and Internships: Before attending UM-Dearborn, Gabriela was a student at the Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico) and Henry Ford College, where she graduated with an associate degree in liberal arts. Gabriella’s academic career also included an internship in the human resources department at Authority Health (W26). UM-Dearborn Assistant Professor of Human Services Finn Bell stated, “Gaby has continuously impressed me with her dedication, her intelligence and insight, as well as her kindness and conscientiousness.”

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Gabriela actively served in the Henry Ford Health Community Partner Referral Program at the Community Health and Social Services Center, contributing to improved health care access and outcomes for individuals in vulnerable populations by connecting uninsured patients to specialty care and helping them overcome financial barriers. She also participated in interdisciplinary care coordination to support underserved communities

Future Plans: Gabriela plans to apply for the Master of Health Informatics program at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She intends to use her academic experience in health and human services to further integrate informatics and human services by providing culturally competent care and serving vulnerable populations. Gabriela also aims to advance within her current community health center to help offer affordable, high-quality care to underserved populations.

Nevaeh Hilden

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, concentrations in pre-kindergarten to third grade and third to sixth grade

Awards, Honors and Distinction: UM-Dearborn Honors (F22-F23); Dean’s List (F22-F25); James B. Angell Scholar (W24)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Nevaeh is a first-generation college student who transferred to UM-Dearborn from Central Michigan University. She completed Apprenticeship 1 in kindergarten and third-grade classrooms at Oakman Elementary (W25), and developed lesson plans for multilingual learners using the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol model and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge framework. She completed Apprenticeship 2 at Raupp Elementary and Lafayette Elementary (F25), where she created interdisciplinary lesson plans and integrating technology in second-grade and kindergarten classrooms. Nevaeh then completed student teaching in a second-grade classroom at Grogan Elementary (W26), where she supported student learning in her home school district.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Nevaeh served as vice president of academic affairs at Delta Phi Epsilon (W24-F24), and prioritized academic events and promoted campus resources. She then served as vice president of operations for Delta Phi Epsilon (W25-F25), where she managed chapter finances and assumed presidential responsibilities as needed. Other outreach projects include participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service with Delta Phi Epsilon, volunteering at the campus garden, participating in Go Blue Bash and Greek-a-Palooza and serving in the Wolverine Mentor Collective.

Future Plans: Following graduation, Nevaeh will pursue a career in teaching and lifelong learning and hopes to serve in the Downriver community, giving back to the Southgate Community School District that inspired her love of learning.

Erin Rothwell

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in secondary education, concentration in 5th–9th grade English/language arts

Awards, Honors and Distinction: James B. Angell Scholar (W25); Honors Scholar (W24); UM-Dearborn Honors (F23, W24, F25); Dean’s List (F23-F25)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Community-based learning placements included a dual-language school in Southwest Detroit, where Erin worked alongside classroom teachers and elementary students (2022-24); serving as a reading tutor at Beyond Basics, where she supported students receiving reading intervention and assisted instructional staff (2022-24); and a student teaching placement at Discovery Middle School, where she collaborated with Mrs. Ekonen in her classroom and assisted students (2025-26).

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Erin served as a student mentor at Mentor Collective, where she guided incoming students through academic and personal challenges. She was also a children’s soccer coach at the Redford Soccer Club, where she mentored young athletes in teamwork and skill development. She also worked as a student building manager with University Unions and Events, leading the operations team and helping to manage event logistics.

Future Plans: Erin plans to begin her career as a classroom teacher and continue to grow professionally through hands-on experience with students. She hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree in student counseling, expanding her ability to support students both academically and socially.