(COPH) students and student organizations were recognized at both the USF Health Student Awards Ceremony and the USF Celebration of Leadership Awards鈥攖wo key events held as part of USF Commencement Week.
These annual programs honor students, staff and faculty for their outstanding commitment to leadership, service, academics and interprofessional collaboration throughout the 2024鈥�2025 academic year. Award recipients were selected for their exceptional contributions to the USF community and their efforts to create positive change both on campus and beyond.
Check out the USF Health Student Awards Ceremony winners below:
Grace Miller 鈥� Student Leader of the Year
Grace Miller, MPH
The Student Leader of the Year Award honors eight graduating students, one per college, school or academic program, for their outstanding leadership skills. The winner from the COPH was Grace Miller, .
Husena Rajkotwala 鈥� Spirit Award
Husena Rajkotwala, BSPH
graduate Husena Rajkotwala earned the USF Health Spirit Award for the COPH.
This award recognizes a graduating student from each college, school and academic program that best exemplifies the USF Health values that the community embraces in support of the mission to 鈥淢ake Life Better.鈥� Award winners must display interprofessionalism, compassion, passion, accountability, respect and inclusion, courage and resiliency, optimism, integrity and excellence.
Kesha Tondo 鈥� Excellence in Service
Kesha Tondo, BSPH
BSPH graduate Kesha Tondo was honored with the Excellence in Service award, given to students who have consistently used their time, energy and talents to promote positive change and growth at USF Health and in the surrounding community.
Elizabeth Dunn and Florence Ackey 鈥� Community Engagement Project of the Year
DrPH candidates Elizabeth Dunn and Florence Ackey
The Community Engagement Project of the Year Award is presented to an individual, club or student organization who designed and implemented an outstanding community engagement project while representing USF Health. The 2025 recipients of this award are candidates and Florence Ackey for their Women鈥檚 Empowerment Leadership Institute.
USF Community Emergency Response Team 鈥� Program of the Year
USF Community Emergency Response Team members helping during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The recipient of the Program of the Year Award was the (CERT). The award recognizes an organization, office, committee, group or individual who demonstrated excellence in planning and implementing a comprehensive, continuous or one-time program for the USF Health community.
During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, CERT mobilized 675 dedicated volunteers鈥攊ncluding students, faculty and staff鈥攚ho collectively contributed 4,121 hours across 1,035 shifts at 28 locations. This remarkable effort provided over $130,000 in in-kind contributions, significantly reducing costs for Hillsborough County taxpayers and qualifying them for FEMA reimbursement.
The team鈥檚 efforts, supported by a wide network of partners such as the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Hillsborough County Operations Emergency Management and Tampa Fire Rescue, showcased the power of interprofessional education and community collaboration