Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award

Rebecca Chuhak, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health & Human Sciences

Rebecca Chuhak serves because she believes healing starts with empathy and understanding—qualities essential to providing compassionate care to vulnerable populations. As a student aspiring to attend medical school, Chuhak's volunteer experiences have reinforced that healthcare is about more than treatment; it’s about building relationships, offering support, and meeting people where they are. Through her work with the Medical Response Unit, Chuhak has learned the importance of staying calm and compassionate during medical emergencies, and her work with the Cancer Center allowed her to see how vital emotional support is to holistic care. Chuhak’s service experiences have strengthened her belief that true care goes beyond addressing immediate needs—it’s about building trust, offering comfort, and fostering meaningful relationships.

Amber Wilkinson, College of Applied Studies

For Amber Wilkinson, service has been a cornerstone of her personal and academic growth. As president of Delta Delta Epsilon, an international forensic science honor society, Wilkinson has worked to promote academic excellence and engage members in community outreach. The work she has done through Delta Delta Epsilon has provided an opportunity to foster collaboration and social responsibility among students with a shared passion. Wilkinson's work with the Scuba Hyperbaric and Recreational Club has allowed them to combine their love for the ocean by leading environmental projects such as underwater cleanups. For Wilkinson, serving is not just about giving—it helps to build connections and trust, creates a sense of shared responsibility, and offers an invaluable opportunity to learn, grow, and create lasting positive change. 

Maiya Johnson, College of Arts & Sciences

FSU has emboldened Maiya Johnson to use her lived experiences to better the lives of others, cultivating her passion for research and a career in academia. During her summer research in Utah, Johnson saw how access to mental health care changed people’s lives. Wanting to help FSU students in similar ways, Johnson joined RENEW upon returning to FSU. Joining Students for Organized Religious and Cultural Exploration (SORCE) provided Johnson an opportunity to maintain a safe space for FSU students who often felt uncomfortable in university settings because they are first-generation, of color, children of immigrants, queer, formerly incarcerated, disabled, and/or women. Through an IDEA grant, Johnson was able to travel to Utah and work with an LGBTQ+ mental health clinic, Flourish Therapy. This opportunity allowed her to explore a research technique focused on narrative therapy, which provided an opportunity for queer women with the Church of Latter-day Saints to tell their life histories as a way to gain a more self-conscious sense of their lives. 

Hannah Harring, College of Business

When Hannah Harring got to college, she yearned for a way to continue to stay involved with the community. To fulfill this desire, Harring applied for a financial assistant position at United Way of the Big Bend. This role allowed Hannah to hone their professional skills, and it opened the door to opportunities such as MathPals, a program where she mentored a kindergartner each week in math, and VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Eager to be the bridge into the heart of Florida State University, Harring applied to be the volunteer coordinator for the Beta Alpha Psi honor society. Here, Harring worked to intertwine campus and community by engaging students in activities ranging from lake cleanups to disaster relief supply drives. Harring serves because she believes the world is a collection of bridges waiting to be forged, and she aspires to continue her bridge-building through the inspiration of others to ensure that no community, individual or dream is left forgotten.

Paige Elkin, College of Communication & Information

Over the course of the past year, Paige Elkin has dedicated herself to studying the impact and effectiveness of AI tools such as ChatGPT and CoPilot within academic settings. As these technologies become increasingly integrated into education, Elkin’s research provides valuable insights into their implications for both students and educators. Elkin was able to take on this project due to Dr. Faye Jones’ mentorship and encouragement to lead this research after their work through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. Elkin’s service as an undergraduate research assistant has allowed her to gain not only a deeper understanding of Artificial Intelligence in computing and information research, but has also provided her the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in her academic and professional journey while generating new knowledge to help others navigate the latest technologies. 

Simran “Simmi” Purohit, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice

Learning about human rights violations and atrocities in Florida and across the globe during a course on international law and human rights helped Simmi Purohit realize that she wanted to go to law school to address these issues. Through Purohit's efforts with exPOW, she coordinated resources for survivors of domestic violence and families transitioning out of homelessness, emphasizing empowerment and dignity in their recovery process. With the FSU Learning Systems Institute, Purohit assists with research examining the impacts of the Rwandan genocide on education and analyzing data to better inform teacher education. Through her service experiences with agencies like Neighborly, Habitat for Humanity, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Purohit has witnessed the transformative power of community support and inclusion. She has seen how belonging—whether through a hot meal, a safe home, or a friendly ear—can change the trajectory of someone’s life. 

Cate Calvert, College of Fine Arts

Volunteering with the Maggie Allessee National Center for Choreography has allowed Calvert to support a space that provides artists from around the world to come to Tallahassee to receive the resources they need to work on their personal research and creative projects. Calvert has learned invaluable skills in community, leadership, marketing, administration and media that will aid her in her future academic and artistic career. She has also engaged in philanthropic work through Light the Night, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Line Dance, which raised funds to support programs such as the Unconquered Scholars Program, the Collegiate Veteran’s Association and the Tallahassee Ballet Dance Chance. Giving back has not only allowed Calvert to help and learn more about her communities, but has also helped her to develop into a more compassionate, dedicated, and selfless person.

Emelia LaCognata, College of Medicine

Emelia LaCognata serves her community because she believes in the power of connection and support, especially in a place like nearby Quincy, Florida where resources can be limited. In these rural communities, even small acts of service can have a big impact, and LaCognata wants to be part of that positive change. Through volunteering at the Gadsden County Rural Freestanding ER or helping organize events, LaCognata sees firsthand how small efforts can help people, bring communities together, and create lasting connections. For example, teaching kids at an art camp or assisting vendors at local markets gave Emelia the opportunity to support others while also learning valuable skills like patience, empathy and adaptability. Working with diverse populations makes LaCognata realize how important it is to create environments where everyone feels welcome.

Finley Stein, College of Motion Picture Arts

After noticing the high volume of waste resulting from bottle of water consumed on sets, Finley Stein worked alongside classmate Keith Cohen to implement the Green Initiative at FSU’s film school. Initially a quest to replace single-use plastics with reusable water bottles, the effort expanded into a broader sustainability program, which has allowed 12 student films this year to qualify for the Environmental Media Association’s Green Seal recognizing sustainable production practices. Stein believes that this mode of collaboration and shared purpose is far more valuable to sustainability than believing that a problem can be fixed quickly or is unfixable. Stein encourages everyone to start somewhere, even if it feels like the odds are stacked against you and even if the victories are temporary. Stein is proud that they have been able to lay a foundation that will provide future students with the opportunity to continue this work.

Riley Murray, College of Music

“Your deeds are your monuments,” a quote from the book Wonder by RJ Palacio, encapsulates why Riley Murray dedicates her life to serving others. Murray has volunteered with Junior Achievement, teaching life skills to students in low-income areas to prepare them for adulthood. She is also involved with a community outreach program led by her American Sign Language instructor, integrating music and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community to create a shared space for expression and understanding. For Riley, our deeds are not meant to glorify ourselves but to demonstrate how service and compassion create lasting, collective impact.

Nikki Fitzgerald, College of Nursing

As a tutor and learning assistant, Nikki Fitzgerald helps pre-nursing and nursing students excel in their classes. She is a firm believer in ensuring every student is able to be heard, has the chance to grow, and is never left behind. For Fitzgerald, as a student nurse, it goes beyond just validating the experiences of those around them – she has the ability to connect with people at a human-to-human level, rather than a student nurse-to-patient level, or a tutor-to-student level. There is an energy exchange that allows Fitzgerald to aid others in taking the lead in their journey through health, education, and personal growth. Fitzgerald serves because of her love of advocating for those who need it most; she believes that she was brought into this world to heal and improve the lives of those around her.

Claire Sciandra, College of Social Work

Service and helping others have been at the core of everything Claire Sciandra does in life, especially during her time at Florida State University. Sciandra has spent her time advocating for survivors of domestic violence and other vulnerable populations such as older people and those affected by natural disasters. She is forever grateful for the opportunity she has had to make a profound difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals through her record-breaking fundraising efforts. Because of this work, survivors will have access to shelter, a safe space to rebuild their lives and essential resources to move forward. Knowing that they have played a role in creating lasting change in the Tallahassee community and beyond has been the most fulfilling part of Sciandra’s time at FSU. She knows her service to others will expand far beyond her time at FSU because of her passion for advocacy and helping others.

Jaclyn Madson, Dedman College of Hospitality

For Jaclyn Madson, service is a privilege. Through philanthropic efforts with Kappa Delta Sorority, Madson has had the opportunity to raise more than $45,000 for Child Abuse America, the Children’s Home Society and Girl Scouts of America. Engaging in local events hosted by the Children’s Home Society and building a relationship with the Tallahassee Girl Scouts has allowed Madson to gain confidence in her ability to mentor, teach and inspire. At Florida State, Madson’s mission is to make an impact in every class she is in. Whether taking notes for students who cannot, complimenting a classmate on their work, or thanking their professors for their behind-the-scenes work, service comes in all forms. Madson strives daily to make someone’s day brighter. 

Saiabhinav Devulapalli, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Saiabhinav Devulapalli serves because he believes that meaningful change starts with the individual. Witnessing disparities in healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved communities, motivated Devulapalli to understand these inequities. This led them to join organizations on campus to solve these issues and improve these circumstances. This led to Devulapalli’s work with Dance Marathon, coordinating events to raise awareness and funds for pediatric healthcare while engaging with families benefiting directly from these efforts. Through the Tallahassee Biotechnology Expo, watching students' faces light up while engaging with science and technology reaffirmed his belief that making education fun is a powerful tool. Devulapalli believes that it is about using our skills, education, and empathy to address the challenges that others face. Whether it's mentoring the next generation of innovators or organizing community initiatives, his work is driven by the belief that anyone can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Lauren Gaston, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

Lauren Gaston is inspired by the sense of connection and community that comes from volunteering. The collective effort toward a common goal fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork that extends beyond volunteer work. What drives Lauren the most is the knowledge that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact when multiplied by many people working together. Lauren hopes to inspire others to join her in making the world a better place through volunteerism, whether it is through organized events or everyday acts of service.