Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, the 21st annual Diamond Awards ceremony celebrated 25 undergraduate students who’ve exemplified excellence in leadership, academics, service to the university and community impact.
The Division of Student Affairs hosted the 21st annual Diamond Award ceremony on April 16. This event honors the highest levels of student achievement at Temple.
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
Temple undergraduate students shined as they celebrated their accomplishments at the 21st annual Diamond Awards on April 16 in the Great Court of Mitten Hall.
Established in 2005 by the Division of Student Affairs, the Diamond Awards recognize the highest levels of student achievement at Temple.
“Tonight, we recognize many of the young leaders who exemplify exactly what it means to be Temple Made,” President John Fry said at the ceremony. “Their leadership strengthens our campus today and will continue to shape the communities they serve long after they leave Temple. This university is better because of their important contributions. Each student has helped move this institution forward in meaningful ways.”
The selection criteria for the Diamond Awards are based on a holistic evaluation of students’ accomplishments, with a focus on four key areas: superior leadership; academic excellence; service to the university; and impact on the community at the local, regional and global levels.
These criteria make the selection process highly competitive—only 25 students were selected for this honor.
“This year’s recipients have accomplished extraordinary things both inside and outside the classroom. Across our city, region and beyond, they continue to make us proud. They’re simply the best and the brightest,” said Jodi Bailey Accavallo, vice president for student affairs. “This celebration reflects the remarkable outcomes possible when talented students are empowered to lead, serve and excel.”
The latest cohort includes some of the most accomplished students Temple has recognized to date. These Diamond Award recipients hold an average GPA of 3.91. Their accomplishments include conducting impactful research; leading transformative initiatives; presenting at national conferences; and creating lasting change through their leadership, scholarship and service.
“Winning the Diamond Award is a physical reminder of all the role models I've found during my time at Temple,” said Anaise Dormil, a senior nursing major from Union, New Jersey. “All the positions and roles I’ve involved myself in are because I saw someone else do it impactfully before me. They influenced me, opening the door for me to influence others. It’s an amazing honor.”
“It is an honor to be recognized for the Diamond Awards,” added Ethan Chheda, a finance and management information systems double major from West Chester, Pennsylvania. “As a senior, it means a lot to have made a tangible impact within the community that has helped shape me into the person I am today. I’m glad to see our Temple predecessors and successors consistently coming together to make a difference.”
Check out the complete list of Diamond Award winners for 2026.
Boyer College of Music and Dance
Ananya Ravi, music therapy
College of Education and Human Development
Chloe Smelser, human development and community engagement
College of Engineering
Pooja Arvind, bioengineering
College of Liberal Arts
Sarah Bhanushali, neuroscience
Amelia Carmello, sociology
Heera Chhetri, political science
Liam Manning, sociology and Spanish
Harshini Nuti, mathematical economics
Mateo Perez Presmanes, global studies and political science
Fredrika Poscover, gender, sexuality and women’s studies
College of Public Health
Angela Cirelli, public health
Jenna Crispo, social work
Anaise Dormil, nursing
Emma Gray, health professions
Ella Hyde, social work
College of Science and Technology
Jack Brownfield, ecology, evolution and biodiversity; psychology
Alexis Gonsalves, biology
Diyana Moradi, biology
Sun Ohm, biology
Kush Patel, computer science
Michelle Tanujaya, biology
Ginger Uhlfelder, biology in the 3+4 accelerated dental program
Fox School of Business and Management
Ethan Chheda, finance and management information systems
Natalie Diedericks, international business
Jack Hanson, accounting