
Outstanding Graduates
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recognizes students who have worked diligently to excel academically and contribute to advancing the Fulton Schools mission.
Each semester, the Fulton Schools selects members of the graduating class who embody academic excellence, leadership and community service during their time as students. These exceptional students have excelled in research, public service, entrepreneurship and outreach.
Students chosen as Outstanding Graduates are honored for their exemplary academic performance and participation in activities that enhance their engineering skills. Impact Award winners are selected for their leadership, volunteer and service roles that have positively impacted the communities. Grand Challenges Scholars are students who have completed the Grand Challenges Scholars Program.
These students are deeply committed to making a positive impact on the world around them. Whether it is through volunteer work, community service, or other activities, these graduates are dedicated to improving the lives of those around them in the ASU community, Arizona and globally.
Learn about the exceptional graduates of the spring 2025 class below.
Outstanding graduates

Jayashree Adivarahan
BSE in electrical engineering, BSE in computer systems engineering
Jayashree Adivarahan is being recognized with multiple awards for leadership and commitment to excellence in both electrical and computer systems engineering.

Maria Jose Lopez Aguirre
BSE in engineering management, minor in fashion
Maria Jose Lopez Aguirre came to ASU to compete in NCAA triathlons while receiving a high-quality education in engineering management.

William Bernal
BS in manufacturing engineering
William Bernal merges his engineering expertise with his love for ice hockey and 3D printing to create lasting impact.

Liam Caldwell
BSE in mechanical engineering
Liam Caldwell plans to use renewable energy knowledge to help curb climate change effects.

Timothy Chase
BSE in chemical engineering and with a certificate in cross-sector leadership
Timothy Chase is on a quest to help curb the devastating impact of climate change.

Austin Davis
BSE in materials science and engineering
Austin Davis maximized ASU’s abundant opportunities to excel in research, innovation and academics in the field of materials science and engineering.

Saharsh Goenka
BS in computer science
Saharsh Goenka aspires to establish a startup venture to advance emerging technologies and innovation in machine learning, quantum computing and cybersecurity.

Carl Howard II
BS in technological entrepreneurship and management
Carl Howard II believes his ASU education has helped improve his leadership skills.

Megan Lewis
BSE in aerospace engineering with a concentration in astronautics
Megan Lewis turned engineering challenges into triumphs, earning top honors and forging friendships in ASU’s aerospace engineering program.

Heather McGraw
BSE in environmental engineering
Heather McGraw majored in environmental engineering so she can work to improve the current contamination issues of our water supply.

Hieu Nguyen
BSE in civil engineering
Hieu Nguyen saw what it takes to ensure the built environment is safe while assisting in bridge inspections as an AECOM intern.

Jadyn Ocken
BS in graphic information technology, minor in digital audiences
Jadyn Ocken was involved on campus as leadership in the Polytechnic Photo Club, helped co-found the Photo Portfolio Club and worked to revive the GIT Club.

Chukwunonso Okonkwo
BS in informatics (digital culture)
Chukwunonso Okonkwo makes an impact creating collaborative communities.

Sydney DeLaine Paulsen
BS in aeronautical management technology (unmanned aerial systems)
From representing Team USA on the ice in Italy to charting flight paths in the skies above Arizona, Sydney DeLaine Paulsen is all about precision, teamwork and making an impact.

Ciara Powell
BS in industrial engineering
Ciara Powell honed her problem-solving skills as she prepared to turbocharge her career.

Ronald Prusia
BSE in construction engineering
Ronald Prusia majored in construction engineering because he wants to design and build real-world systems that have a lasting impact.

Elliott Ruble
BS in human systems engineering (user experience)
Elliot Ruble says human systems engineering allowed him to learn new things through hands-on research.

Mackenzie Schmader
BS in construction management and technology
Mackenzie Schmader says she’s fascinated by how things are built and the technology that drives the construction industry.

Neha Shakir
BSE in biomedical Engineering, BS in neuroscience
Neha Shakir discovered her passion for neuroscience through an internship and her experiences have shaped her commitment to medicine and social impact.

Angie Valencia
BSE in engineering (electrical systems)
Angie Valencia, a first-generation college graduate, earned her degree from ASU as a tribute to her parents’ sacrifices and a symbol of resilience and opportunity.

Israel Vazquez
BS in information technology
Israel Vazquez was able to have a well-rounded experience at ASU by focusing on his academics and balancing that out by participating in intramural sports.

Wenjie Xu
BS in software engineering
Wenjie Xu combines software engineering, community service and foodie fun.
Impact Award winners

Jayashree Adivarahan
BSE in electrical engineering, BSE in computer systems engineering
Jayashree Adivarahan is being recognized with multiple awards for leadership and commitment to excellence in both electrical and computer systems engineering.

Cecil Deveau
BSE in electrical engineering
After serving his country, veteran Cecil Deveau served his ASU Online peers by building a supportive online community for engineering students to thrive.

Tyler Hayes
BSE in engineering (mechanical engineering systems)
Tyler Hayes loves helping others and hands-on learning, so it’s no surprise his favorite project was a taco machine to fight food insecurity in the classroom.

Chukwunonso Okonkwo
BS in informatics (digital culture)
Chukwunonso Okonkwo makes an impact creating collaborative communities.

Jake Okun
MS in robotics and autonomous systems (systems engineering)
Jake Okun combines leadership, innovation and engineering expertise to drive change in robotics and autonomous systems.

Emily Parkerson
BSE in aerospace engineering (aeronautics)
Emily Parkerson helped develop a device that measures the effect of extreme heat on the human body.

Kylie Peterson
BSE in biomedical engineering, minor in business, certificate in cross-sector leadership
Kylie Peterson chose to study biomedical engineering because of her interest in science and desire in helping others.

Shreya Sharma
BSE in biomedical engineering, minor(s): anthropology and mathematics
Shreya Sharma turned her passion for health care into real-world impact by developing new treatments to improve patient's lives.

Christina Sturgeon
BSE in mechanical engineering and with a minor in sustainability
Christina Sturgeon has been a positive role model for women aspiring to pursue engineering.

Minju Yoo
BSE mechanical engineering, minor in design studies
Minju Yoo investigated novel approaches for fabricating complex materials structures across multiple projects.
Grand Challenges Scholars

Gabriel Adams
BSE in electrical engineering
Gabriel Adams forged his resilience and work ethic by embracing difficult challenges inside the classroom and competing with the triathlon club at ASU.

Jayashree Adivarahan
BSE in electrical engineering, BSE in computer systems engineering
Jayashree Adivarahan is being recognized with multiple awards for leadership and commitment to excellence in both electrical and computer systems engineering.

Mark Agoston
BSE in mechanical engineering
Mark Agoston took advantage of a variety of research and community service opportunities during his mechanical engineering undergraduate degree program.

Bryce Askew
BSE in chemical engineering
Bryce Askew conducted chemical engineering research and got involved in student organizations, becoming an advocate for his community.


Ariana Bermudez
BSE in mechanical engineering, BA in Spanish literature and culture
Ariana Bermudez gained a well-rounded engineering perspective through student organizations, studying abroad and a Spanish language and culture double major.

Ethan Chang
BSE in computer systems engineering
Ethan Chang learned to secure embedded systems and find the value of teamwork.

Jocelyne Espinoza
BSE in biomedical engineering
Jocelyne Espinoza wants to make a tangible impact on patients' quality of life by creating community-focused solutions.

Taylor Foster
BS in human systems engineering, minor in design studies
Taylor Foster knew that in addition to his academics, he wanted to help with global issues.


Siddhant Jain
BS in computer science
Siddhant Jain says the connections he made as a Fulton Schools student will enable him to realize his aspirations as a computer scientist.

Avijit Jutla
BSE in electrical engineering
Avijit Jutla dedicated himself to research and service in his work with multiple EPICS projects.

Lucas Keylon
BS in computer systems engineering
Lucas Keylon found his spark in an embedded systems course, where making a robot move set his passion for technology in motion.

Siddhant Labade
BS in computer science
Siddhant Labade expanded his classroom learning by getting involved in extracurricular projects to hone research skills and experience the diversity of pursuits within his chosen field of computer science.

Anushka Limaye
BSE in biomedical engineering, minor data science
Anushka Limaye is passionate about working with the latest technologies and finding ways to make health care affordable for all.

Carol Lu
BSE in biomedical engineering (biological devices); BS in mathematics (statistics)
Carol Lu combined her biomedical engineering expertise with a passion for human-centered design to drive impactful innovations in healthcare.

Koos Maddock
BSE in aerospace engineering
Koos Maddock used his time at ASU to help others worldwide by contributing to plastic recycling efforts for Ethiopia and the development of a wind tunnel.

Tatum McMillan
BSE in biomedical engineering
Tatum McMillan enjoys that biomedical engineering requires a multidisciplinary approach of biology, medicine and engineering in its applications.

Naina Misra
BSE in biomedical engineering
Naina Misra wants to work at the intersection of medicine, the physical sciences and technology.

Rohan Nair
BS in computer science
Rohan Nair has helped communities respond to a variety of challenges

Saketh Pabolu
BS in computer science, minor in data science
A fascination with artificial intelligence and machine learning sparked Grand Challenges Scholar Saketh Madhu Pabolu's aspiration to become a computer scientist.

Sophia Pedersen
BSE in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in energy and environment
Sophia Pedersen dedicated herself to service opportunities and got involved in student organizations while studying to work in the renewable energy field.

Riley Perez
BSE in biomedical engineering
Riley Perez says the first time she visited ASU, she felt like she had found her home.

Benjamin Staedicke
BSE in biomedical engineering (biomedical devices)
Benjamin Staedicke is harnessing the power of engineering to create real-world solutions that improve patient outcomes.

Taylor Whitten
BSE in biomedical engineering
Taylor Whitten says she loves working hands-on and seeing her ideas take shape in real time.
Convocation speakers

Mason Mahaffey
PhD in electrical engineering
Mason Mahaffey is pursuing his dream of working in solar energy.

Jake Okun
MS in robotics and autonomous systems (systems engineering)
Jake Okun combines leadership, innovation and engineering expertise to drive change in robotics and autonomous systems.

Christina Sturgeon
BSE in mechanical engineering and with a minor in sustainability
Christina Sturgeon has been a positive role model for women aspiring to pursue engineering.
Palais Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

Dinusha Herath Mudiyanselage
PhD in electrical engineering
Dinusha Herath Mudiyanselage is being recognized as an outstanding doctoral student for his exceptional achievements in research including journal publications and several patents.
University outstanding graduates

Jayashree Adivarahan
BSE in electrical engineering, BSE in computer systems engineering
Jayashree Adivarahan is being recognized with multiple awards for leadership and commitment to excellence in both electrical and computer systems engineering.

Jake Okun
MS in robotics and autonomous systems (systems engineering)
Jake Okun combines leadership, innovation and engineering expertise to drive change in robotics and autonomous systems.