The University of Arizona will recognize seven graduating seniors during Commencement for their extraordinary accomplishments in and out of the classroom.

The university's 161st Commencement ceremony will be held at Arizona Stadium on May 16 at 7:30 p.m. A full schedule and more information about this year's ceremony are available on the Commencement website.

Nominated by faculty and peers, this year's student award winners were selected based on their determination, notable achievements and positive contributions to their families and communities.

Provost Award

The Provost Award goes to an outstanding graduating student who transferred to the university from an Arizona community college. Criteria for the award include perseverance and commitment to academic studies, contributions to the university community, and above-average scholastic ability, citizenship and leadership.

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Angela White is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science, with a double major in neuroscience and cognitive science, and psychological science. 

As a child, White was curious about the natural world, but due to early-onset, debilitating mental illness, she was unable to complete high school and pursue her academic interests. Many years later, as a working adult, White began taking classes at Pima Community College before transferring to the U of A. 

Under the mentorship of Zachary Cohen in the Personalized Treatment Lab, White founded the Leveraging Exercise for Anxiety and Depression project. The multiphase study will design, deliver and study exercise interventions for people suffering from anxiety and depression. 

White is the recipient of numerous awards, including the W.A. Franke Honors College Exploratory Mini-Grant, a Laura and Arch Brown Scholarship, a Phi Theta Kappa Hites Transfer Scholarship, an All-USA Academic Team Scholarship, and an All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship. She is also the founder of the community-driven Gathering Resources to Optimize Wealth Academy, which has provided free financial literacy education to more than 500 adolescents and adults. 

After graduation, White plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology at the U of A. 

Robie Gold Medal

The Robie Gold Medal honors those who demonstrate personal integrity, initiative, cooperation, enthusiasm, willingness to give more than required, and a love of God and country.

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Patrick Tanori Quintero is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a double minor in Spanish and human development and family sciences. As a first-generation Hispanic student from Tucson, he has devoted his time at the U of A to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment through research, mentorship and community engagement. 

During his undergraduate studies, Quintero contributed to three research projects: the Child Cognition Lab, which examines language acquisition in infants; the Nexus Lab, which studies social support in student-teacher relationships in middle schools; and the Shades of Identity Study, which explores racial and cultural identity in college students. 

As a College of Science Ambassador, Quintero helped connect prospective students with research and academic resources. As a LifeSTEP mentor in the Department of Psychology, he provided individualized support to youth facing behavioral and social challenges. 

One of Quintero's greatest support systems at the U of A was the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. Under the mentorship of assistant professor of practice and McNair Program Director Caitlin Rosario Kelly, he conducted independent research and presented his findings at six national and local conferences. 

In the fall, Quintero will begin a joint doctoral program in clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Quintero received the Adrienne G. and Amy "Jace" Hurley Scholarship, awarded to first-generation, high-achieving psychology students at the U of A. He also received the Hispanic Alumni Club Scholarship and the Ánimo Award for his academic excellence, research contributions and dedication to the Hispanic community. 

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Aaliyah Thompson-Mazzeo – originally from Irvine, California – is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and minors in dance, mathematics and biomedical engineering. 

When faced with the difficult decision between pursuing a career in dance or engineering, Thompson-Mazzeo left her dreams of being a professional dancer to find a bigger purpose. 

Thompson-Mazzeo served as director of social and outreach and then president of the Engineering Student Council and as programs chair for the National Society of Black Engineers, organizing study sessions and networking forums to connect Black engineers on campus. Thompson-Mazzeo also volunteered at STEM outreach events, provided free tutoring at Imago Dei Middle School and mentored high school girls through the Society of Women Engineers. She is a tour guide for Arizona Ambassadors and a former member of Links Junior Honorary, where she served as apparel chair and selections chair. 

Although she didn't pursue a dance major, Thompson-Mazzeo didn't give up her dreams of dancing in college. She has been a dancer for the Arizona Pomline and the Sudler Trophy-winning Pride of Arizona Marching Band. 

Thompson-Mazzeo is vice president of the Bobcat Senior Honorary. She also works as an undergraduate researcher in Andrew Fuglevand's lab, investigating noninvasive methods to control a robotic arm.  

Thompson-Mazzeo has won more than $100,000 in scholarships, including the Giuè Family Scholarship, the William and Marguerite Hesketh Scholarship, the Gary W. Harper Mechanical Engineering Scholarship and the NAACP Tucson Black Excellence Scholarship. She was also a member of the inaugural cohort of a Black Excellence Scholars in the W.A. Franke Honors College and is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. 

Thompson-Mazzeo will attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall as a Vivien Thomas Scholar to pursue her doctorate in biomedical engineering. Thompson-Mazzeo's passion stems from her experience with dance injuries, and she hopes to develop treatments for nerve and spinal cord injuries and prosthetic development. 

Robert Logan Nugent Award

The Robert Logan Nugent Award goes to students who display a record of accomplishments that exemplifies the high ideals of Robert Logan Nugent, a former U of A executive vice president.

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Ryan Sadowsky is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, majoring in management information systems. A Tucson native and third-generation U of A graduate, he is committed to giving back to his community. In high school, he founded The FreshSole Project, donating more than 1,500 pairs of shoes to families in need. 

As president of the Eller Leadership Board, which facilitates the Eller Rising Professionals program, Sadowsky mentored more than 120 first-year students annually, helping them navigate their academic and professional paths. He also organized club members to teach financial literacy at an underserved Tucson elementary school, an effort that earned Eller the Legacy Award from Junior Achievement. 

With a passion for technology, Sadowsky developed automation tools that streamlined the Eller College of Management professional admissions process, improving efficiency and accessibility. As a student coordinator for Professional Admissions and Curriculum Management, he managed course scheduling and student records, enhancing the student experience. He sharpened his skills further as a summer analyst in bank loan trade management at Goldman Sachs, where he optimized financial processes and built automation tools for trading operations. 

For his leadership, service and academic excellence, Sadowsky was twice honored as an Eller Scholar of the Year. 

After graduation, he will join Merit Foods of Arizona, his family's business, leveraging his expertise in technology and operations to drive growth while further continuing the businesses relationship with the U of A. He also plans on continuing his commitment to service as a board member for Junior Achievement of Southern Arizona. 

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Siena Sevillano Shedd is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physiology and medical sciences with a minor in biochemistry. 

Shedd, the eldest of three and firstborn to two U of A graduates, grew up across the United States and in Vinhedo, Brazil. Her family now lives in Pleasanton, California. 

During her four years at the university, Shedd has been a leader in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. After serving as a preceptor for two semesters, Shedd became a teacher's assistant, leading reviews, mentoring students and managing instructional resources. 

Shedd's leadership extends to her time in Women in Medicine and Science, an organization that advocates for women's advancement in science fields. As a local outreach committee member, she led teams of students in engaging with their community. Those efforts led to the club's selection for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Outstanding Community Engagement Award. 

Shedd has dedicated herself to a lifetime of service in medicine. As an athletic training technician in McKale Memorial Center, she's worked with athletic trainers across multiple sports to gain hands-on experience in sports medicine. When she's not cheering them on at games, Shedd supports U of A athletes by assisting with rehabilitation treatment to help them reach their performance goals. 

Shedd has also helped bridge communication gaps in health care settings. As a medical interpreter at Clinica Amistad and clinics within the Commitment to Underserved People program, she has helped uninsured Spanish-speaking patients get access to care. 

Shedd is committed to serving vulnerable populations. At Banner Health, she supported pediatric patients and their families, and at Sister José Women's Center, she created a welcoming space for women experiencing homelessness. Her dedication extends internationally through the MexZona Medical Services nonprofit, where she helps deliver free medical care to underserved communities in Mexico. 

After graduation, Shedd plans to pursue a medical degree so she can continue advocating for accessible health care and patient-centered care as a physician. 

Merrill P. Freeman Medal

The Merrill P. Freeman Medal is named in honor of Merrill Freeman, who served the U of A as a regent and chancellor. Qualifications for the award include outstanding character.

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Nathaniel Cross is graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Spanish. Born in the United Kingdom, Cross has called Tucson home for most of his life. 

Cross's own migration to the United States at a young age helped him understand the importance of public service and constituent casework in immigration fields. Throughout his undergraduate career at the U of A, Cross has worked to empower migrant communities as an intern with Chicanos Por La Causa, a legal aid nonprofit, by helping put on biannual naturalization fairs that help residents apply for citizenship at no cost. His work led to his selection as an intern for the university's Mellon-Fronteridades program. 

Cross's commitment to increasing the accessibility of quality immigration services is tied to his greater personal philosophy of empathetic and compassionate public service. As a political science research assistant, Cross is studying methods to reduce gun violence and violent crimes around Tucson by investing in alternatives to law enforcement and collaborations with community partners. 

Cross is a multi-semester recipient of the Dean's List with Distinction and Highest Academic Distinction awards. He was also named a United States Senate Youth Program scholar, and has received the Frances McClelland Youth Vision Award and the Tara S. O'Connor Memorial and Patricia MacCordale scholarships. 

In 2024, Cross began an accelerated Master of Public Policy program in the School of Government and Public Policy. After graduation, Cross plans to finish his master's degree and hopes to pursue international public service as a Fulbright Scholar or with the Peace Corps. 

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Katie Nguyen is graduating with dual degrees in physiology and medical sciences from the College of Medicine – Tucson and molecular and cellular biology from the College of Science, with minors in personal and family financial planning and biochemistry. A first-generation college student from Chandler, Arizona, she is passionate about mentorship, inclusion and health care, dedicating her undergraduate career to fostering supportive spaces for students and underserved communities.  

Nguyen's involvement with Asian Pacific American Student Affairs helped her embrace her cultural identity. She began as an intern for the Vietnamese Student Association and Golden Lotus, a Vietnamese cultural dance group, eventually stepping into leadership roles.  

Nguyen supports students as a teaching assistant for Introductory Biology under assistant professors of practice Nicole Leitner and Susan Hester. She also serves as an APASA peer mentor at the Thrive Center, helping first-year students navigate university life, mental health challenges and identity exploration.  

Beyond campus, Nguyen has worked as a nursing assistant and caregiver. Committed to health care accessibility, she volunteers with initiatives supporting unhoused individuals, serving as a community health specialist at Z Mansion Clinic.  

Nguyen's greatest inspiration comes from working with children with special health care needs, particularly through adaptive recreation and as lead child supervisor at Saguaro City Music Theatre.  

Nguyen's dedication has earned recognition through the Betty B. Chastain Educational Foundation Scholarship and the Asian American Faculty, Staff and Alumni Association Tuition Scholarship.  

After graduation, Nguyen will continue working with Saguaro City Music Theatre and mentoring students at the U of A. She aspires to become a pediatric physician and one day, a medical dean shaping the future of medical education.