Excellence in Undergraduate Studies Awards
Mary Crowley, Bachelor of Liberal Studies
Mary completed her bachelor’s degree while working full time and despite significant challenges and disruptions. At BU, Mary was introduced to the work of Audre Lorde, who wrote that “caring for myself is not self-indulgence; it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” For Mary, this defiant statement exemplified her own struggles, while representing the true value of a liberal arts education. Like Lorde, Mary recognized that resilience is not merely about personal struggle and advancement, but the ability to move the needle forward towards progress, lifting others with you.
What’s Next? I plan to continue pursuing a rewarding career at the intersection of education and human services, while currently working for the Colchester School District in Colchester, Vermont.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank my mother, Terry Crowley, for modeling the grit and determination that it takes be an adult learner, and for her unconditional love and support throughout this experience.
Allie Baptiste, Bachelor of Science
Allie consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, motivation, and a strong passion and commitment to academic excellence, which is reflected in her remarkable performance throughout the program. Beyond her academic abilities, Allie is a genuinely kind and compassionate individual. She is not only a dedicated student but is also always ready to support peers and contribute to a positive learning environment. Allie embodies the values of hard work, empathy, and perseverance, making her more than deserving of this recognition.
What’s Next? I am hoping to pursue a career in public health and urban affairs.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank my family for their incredible support and endless patience, and to my friends and coworkers who pushed me to return to BU MET to finish this degree. I would not have been able, and would not have wanted, to do this without you!
Excellence in Graduate Studies Awards
Xinyu (Ruby) Xi, Actuarial Science
In addition to her outstanding academic achievements, Ruby also received amazing reviews from faculty and students for her work as a teaching assistant. Additionally, she led a group of MET Actuarial Science students in a nationwide competition, which saw BU’s team emerge as the victor.
What’s Next? Graduation launches my mission to fuse analytical techniques with human-centered progress. I’ll begin as an assistant actuary at an entry-level program, designing solutions that prioritize financial sustainability and equity while innovating accessible risk-mitigation strategies. Long-term, I aim to bridge financial literacy gaps through actuarial science, empowering underserved communities to build secure futures. I’ll champion storytelling to transform complex data into compelling stories and drive actionable change.
Acknowledgements: To professors Hal Tepfer, Sungho Noh, and Lois Keller Horwitz: thank you for your wisdom and for turning obstacles into lessons. To my classmates: thank you for your camaraderie and collaboration. To my mom: thank you for being my constant anchor. I commit to paying forward the support that shaped my journey by mentoring others and empowering more students to forge their paths.
Luiz Gustavo Capra, Applied Business Analytics
More than just a top performer, Luiz is someone who was genuinely interested in learning the material and asking the big questions. A marketing analytics teaching assistant, he also runs his own analytics business. Additionally, his professors laud him for his exceptional maturity.
What’s Next? After graduation, I plan to continue my career in data strategy, working with global companies that value innovation and impact. Coming from a small city in the Amazon region of Brazil, I carry the responsibility of representing voices that are often underrepresented in international spaces. My goal is to lead data-driven projects that not only drive performance but also help open doors for others like me.
Acknowledgements: First, I’d like to thank God for my health and for the opportunity to do my part every single day, for all the blessings and answers I’ve received. Thank you to my parents, who made it possible for me to be here—my main goal is to be as good as you are. And thank you to my wife, Carol, who first encouraged me to pursue this master’s degree. Thank you for supporting me every day, in every moment, good or bad, and for making all of them better. I wouldn’t have made it without you.
Alexia Thomas, Enterprise Risk Management
Alexia’s superior academic achievements, combined with a strong work ethic and enthusiastic approach, consistently impressed her professors. Her classmates recognized her as a dedicated project teammate who excelled in both written and oral communication. She exudes a warm personality, always willing to share her insights to assist her peers. She has been a respected leader and role model who will represent BU MET impressively as she begins her career journey.
What’s Next? After graduation, I’ll be moving to New York to join RBC’s risk rotational program. In this role, I’ll be applying what I’ve learned at BU to real-world projects across market, credit, and operational risk. Someday, I hope to return to BU as a lecturer to contribute to the continued growth of the Enterprise Risk Management program.
Acknowledgements: I’m thankful for the support of my professors here at BU, particularly professors Dave Weidman and Mark Carroll, who both played a huge role in shaping my understanding of risk management. Professor Gregory Page helped me develop a strong foundation in data-driven decision-making that I hope to carry forward in my career.
Anika Gupta, Financial Management
Through exceptional achievement, Anika has demonstrated excellence in the classroom. With great curiosity and always engaged, she enriched the learning experience of her classmates. Additionally, she proved herself to be a diligent and thoughtful graduate assistant, driving forward the adoption of Bloomberg Terminals in BU MET classrooms.
What’s Next? After graduation, my goal is to pursue a path that allows me to create meaningful and lasting impact—both professionally and personally. I am motivated by a deep desire to use finance as a tool for positive change—whether that means helping organizations allocate resources more responsibly, supporting sustainable investments, or improving financial access and literacy in underserved communities. I remain committed to upholding the values instilled in me at Boston University—excellence, integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration, and service—and to being a thoughtful, ethical leader.
Acknowledgements: I’m deeply thankful to my family—especially my mom and brother—for their unwavering love, encouragement, and belief in me. I am also incredibly grateful to my professors for their guidance and inspiration, particularly professors Alexander Becker, Rodolfo Archbold, Ivan Julio, Christopher Athaide, and San Chee. Each of them has played a unique role in shaping my academic experience through their deep expertise, mentorship, and commitment to student growth. To my friends and peers, thank you for the late-night study sessions, meaningful conversations, and shared motivation that made this experience both enriching and enjoyable.
Ayazhan Nurzhan, Global Marketing Management
An exceptional student from Kazakhstan supported by the Bolashak Program, Aya spent two semesters as a graduate research assistant collaborating with Professor Marcus Goncalves and another scholar in Kazakhstan on a project studying “The Role of Governmental Support in Strengthening Venture Capital Ecosystems.” She was responsible for semi-structured interviews with several women entrepreneurs there, conducted in Russian, transcribing and then translating them into English, while also assisting in the preparation and cleaning of data into English.
What’s Next? I want to build a career in marketing at a big company where I can grow, learn, and make a positive impact. My goal is to become successful in my work and also be someone who is helpful and supportive to others.
Acknowledgements: I would like to sincerely thank Professor Marcus Goncalves for his support, guidance, and encouragement throughout my study journey.
Steven L. Fischl, Insurance Management
Steven was active in discussions, original and creative in his assignments, and a trusted friend and team leader in completing and presenting group projects. He consistently achieved outstanding results in exams—all of which ensured that he was among the students who set the standard of our program.
What’s Next? There is potential that I pursue my doctorate degree while working towards more senior roles.
Acknowledgements: I’m grateful for the professors, who made learning fun and engaging.
Fita Refinalia, Project Management
In her roles as president of the BU Project Management Club, BU project management ambassador, teaching assistant, and resident assistant, Fita demonstrated her commitment to helping professors and fellow students in the program. Fita coordinated high-profile events, facilitated industry engagement, and managed logistics for the Project Management in Practice Conference. Her contributions even extended internationally, having coordinated input from Indonesian students and alumni for a book concerning the 70-year partnership between Indonesia and the World Bank. With over a decade of experience in project and operations management, Fita has driven efficiency improvements in workflows, procurement, and stakeholder coordination.
What’s Next? After graduation, I look forward to continuing my journey in project and operations management, building on the foundation I’ve developed throughout my career and studies. My long-term dream is to use my global experience to lead impactful initiatives that empower people and improve lives. More than anything, I want to see the tangible impacts of my contributions, knowing that the work I do creates real, meaningful change in the lives of others.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank Professor Richard Maltzman for his incredible support as my academic advisor and supervisor. I’m also grateful to Professor Vijay Kanabar, who encouraged me to apply to the program; my parents, Papah and Mamah, who believed in me as I took the leap from working full time to returning to school; and my family, friends, and quiet support system—thank you for standing by me every step of the way.
Chenxi Feng, Supply Chain Management
In addition to her outstanding academic performance, Chenxi has been an active and engaged member of the Supply Chain Management community. A teaching assistant who also worked as a graduate assistant in the Decision Sciences Research Laboratory, she represented BU MET and the SCM program in a number of conferences. Chenxi’s enthusiasm, leadership, dedication, and positive attitude consistently impressed faculty, who are excited to welcome her into BU MET’s alumni community.
What’s Next? After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in supply chain and process improvement, applying what I’ve learned at BU MET to real-world industry practices. I’m committed to continuous growth and will actively seek opportunities to make meaningful contributions wherever I work.
Acknowledgements: I want to thank my parents for always supporting me in my decisions. Thank you to all my colleagues for continuous encouragement and inspiration. I am deeply grateful to all the professors I’ve had the privilege to learn from, for their dedication to teaching. Special thanks to professors John Maleyeff and Canan Gunes Corlu for their generous mentorship and guidance throughout my journey.
Hongwei Lu, Administrative Studies, Innovation & Technology
On an individual level and in his teamwork and leadership in the classroom, Hongwei demonstrated extraordinary intellectual and academic skills. As a teaching assistant for the program, he also helped to identify leading-edge content and insights into new venture formations. His enthusiasm, integrity, and outstandingly high commitment to excellence have impressed all the Innovation & Technology faculty. Hongwei excels in the pursuit of innovation and inspires those around him.
What’s Next? I will try my best to make any innovative changes in any field.
Acknowledgements: I’d like to thank my professor and co-worker, Dr. Kathleen Park.
Ariel Campbell, Arts Administration
Ariel has been a truly exceptional student whose academic excellence and dedication have left a lasting impression. She demonstrated remarkable skill in grant writing, strategic thinking, and research, bringing innovative ideas and thoughtful perspectives to her work. Her contributions to class discussions have enriched the learning experience for all, and her creativity, thoroughness, and ability to make meaningful connections set her apart. She is a brilliant and insightful writer, a team player, and a leader in every sense.
What’s Next? I am planning on working in strategic nonprofit development to advance community-focused arts programming and public art initiatives.
Acknowledgements: I’d like to thank my professors, my husband and family, and my student cohort and friends.
Saiteja Puppala, Applied Data Analytics
In addition to his excellent academic achievement, Sai served as a teaching assistant for Information Structures with Python, earning acclaim both for his performance and for his grasp of Python programming.
What’s Next? I hope to leverage my skills to solve business problems.
Ruzhen (Rachelle) Wang, Computer Information Systems
Rachelle excelled in every class she took at BU MET, starting with the Python course and all through the Computer Information Systems curriculum, including courses as diverse as IT Strategy and Management and Artificial Intelligence.
What’s Next? With my background in information systems, I aim to bridge the gap between technology and business by pursuing a career in digital transformation. After graduation, I plan to join a consulting firm or corporate innovation team focused on digital strategy.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to my parents, sister, friends, and professors for their support.
Benjamin Tafreshian, Computer Science
Ben was the captain of last year’s NCAE cyber game competition team, winning the regional championship before traveling to Florida for the invitational competition. A key competitor of the team, he also took on a number of organizational duties. This year, he led a sharing session to prepare MET’s competition team.
What’s Next? Following graduation, I aim to begin my career in the industry while also working toward my long-term goal of earning a PhD. I’m looking forward to combining real-world experience with continued academic growth.
Acknowledgements: I’m deeply grateful to my parents, friends, and academic advisors—your support and belief in me made this journey possible.
Grace Mousan, Health Informatics
A pediatrician and a pediatric hospitalist based in Metro Detroit, Michigan, Grace consistently brought valuable insights and thoughtful questions to class discussions, creating a positive peer learning environment. Her term project focused on a neonatal hyperbilirubinemia outpatient phototherapy decision support module that demonstrated a strong understanding of healthcare technology implementation. Her professors are confident that Grace will make positive contributions to healthcare IT.
What’s Next? I’m a physician and I plan to become board certified in clinical informatics and be involved and take on responsibilities in clinical informatics in my healthcare organization.
Acknowledgements: I’d like to thank my family: my husband Firas and my children, Lara and Christopher. I’d also like to thank the professors and facilitators.
Abhijay Jayaswal, Software Development
Abhijay showed excellent facility with Python programming. Even when challenged with hard coding questions, he was able to grasp advanced techniques quite quickly and employed them to solve problems. Abhijay proved able to grasp concepts in advanced machine learning and answer questions at an exceptional speed. He also asked insightful questions and sought to go beyond what is taught in class.
What’s Next? After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in software engineering, progress to a software architect role, and ultimately become a leader in the field.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank professors Avi Mohan, Reza Rawassizadeh, Ed Orsini, Andrew Sheehan, David Mellor, and Ronald Czik for sharing their knowledge, keeping my curiosity alive, and inspiring me to push boundaries and explore new ideas. I want to thank my friends—their support made me feel at home and made this journey truly memorable and enjoyable.
Peyton Henry, Criminal Justice
Peyton produced outstanding work, from critically evaluating cybercrime policy and practices to carrying out simulated investigations. As a graduate researcher, Peyton has helped to manage a project on the nature and causes of mass public homicide and will soon be the lead author on a paper being submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal. Peyton has presented research and participated in several academic conferences and is a true leader of our learning community: highly engaged, supportive, and committed to learning deeply.
What’s Next? I am excited to be staying in Boston for work and looking forward to all that comes with it!
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank all of my professors for their support throughout my master’s degree. A special thank you to Dr. Kyung-shick Choi and Dr. James Silver. I’m also incredibly grateful to my grandparents for their unwavering support throughout my entire educational journey. Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents for all they have done to support and encourage me.
Austin Smith, City Planning
Austin embodies the values at the heart of city planning—sustainability, equity, and community well-being—drawing on a rich and varied background that includes carpentry, farming, food systems, and cooperative business models. Austin consistently demonstrated intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a deep commitment to transformative planning practices. Now serving as a community planner and business development coordinator at JM Goldson, Austin continues to bridge long-range planning with community empowerment.
What’s Next? I am working as a land use consultant at JM Goldson, serving as project manager on long-range plans and community engagement projects, while coordinating business development and proposal-writing. I plan to continue to grow my expertise in local planning and facilitation, so that I can effectively support the decolonization of land use policy and culture.
Acknowledgements: I’d like to thank my partner Steph, my best friend Nate, and my family, for pushing me to continue my academic studies, supporting me through a career change, and providing so many invigorating opportunities to think and grow.
Katya Robbins, Urban Affairs
An international student from the United Kingdom with a background in biology, Katya brings a distinctive interdisciplinary perspective and a strong commitment to sustainability. Her focus on climate resiliency education, sustainable urban practices, and green space planning highlights her deep understanding of today’s urban challenges. Demonstrating exceptional academic growth, clear communication, and collaborative skills, she balanced her studies with the demands of being a student-athlete on the BU Women’s Rowing Team.
What’s Next? Post graduation, I plan to pursue a career in urban sustainability, with a focus on planning for a climate-resilient future. I am particularly interested in how cities can integrate sustainable practices to mitigate climate risks while supporting economic and social well-being. I want to apply my analytical and problem-solving skills to drive initiatives in climate adaptation, green infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. My long-term goal is to contribute to creating resilient, sustainable communities that balance environmental responsibility with urban growth.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to my family and friends for supporting me while I completed my degrees abroad these past six years. Thanks also to my teammates and coaches on the women’s rowing team, who showed me what hard work and determination look like. Finally, I would also like to extend special thanks to professors Yeşim Sungu-Eryilmaz and Luis Santiago for their ongoing guidance and knowledge during my time at BU MET.
Jessica Ann Vaughn, Gastronomy
Jessica brought remarkable insight and empathy to her research and writing in the Gastronomy program. During her time at BU MET, she developed important research questions and exhibited exemplary skills in uncovering and analyzing sources. She also recently put her learning to work as a curatorial fellow at the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD). Her professors are delighted that the general public will now benefit from Jessica’s unique and compelling perspective on food studies.
What’s Next? I’m currently assisting the MOFAD in Brooklyn as a curatorial fellow. When my fellowship concludes, I plan to continue my journey as a storyteller by writing for food media outlets. I aspire to become a cultural thought leader in the food world through well-researched, fact-based written, visual, and experiential storytelling.
Acknowledgements: I’d like to thank all of my professors and my classmates. I’d also like to thank my family for their support and patience as I took the slow, long road to complete this program.
Heather Baker, Health Communication
Building on her decade-long career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, Heather was keen to explore the “why” behind communication strategies, techniques, and tactics by examining various theories and models that drive decision making. Heather was able to apply knowledge gained from the program directly to her career, in real time, both by writing patient-appropriate materials and developing communication strategy plans.
What’s Next? I plan to pursue strategic leadership opportunities in health and medical communications. The insights and knowledge I gained through the Health Communication program have personally inspired me to make a meaningful impact by addressing health disparities, improving health literacy, and combating mis- and disinformation in future endeavors.
Acknowledgements: I want to thank professors Leigh Curtin-Wilding, Felipe Agudelo Acevedo, Paul Buta, and James Gardner.