School Recognizes 2024-2025 Graduates

LAWRENCE – On May 17, 2025, the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) celebrated its graduates with its annual graduation recognition ceremony which recognizes the graduates of Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025.  

On behalf of all SPAA alumni, faculty, and staff, we extend a special recognition to our respective honor society inductees and award recipients for their outstanding achievements in the undergraduate, master or doctoral programs in the disciplines of public administration, urban planning and law and society. 

Images from the graduation celebration are available at the KU photo site. Individual graduate photos are available here.  

Faculty Teacher of the Year Award: Nicole Humphrey 

Recognizes a faculty member or adjunct instructor in the School and the recipient is selected through a vote of students in SPAA academic programs. Criteria for this award include: 1) excellence in teaching techniques, 2) excellence in curriculum development, and 3) excellence in student learning. 

Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year: Noelle Broughton 

Recognizes a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School and the recipient is selected by the doctoral committee with input from faculty and students. Criteria for this award include: 1) excellence in teaching techniques, 2) excellence in curriculum development, and 3) excellence in student learning. 
 

Outstanding Undergraduate Award: Sarah Hill 
Presented annually to an outstanding undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in coursework and in scholarly work beyond course assignments to enhance learning, such as research outside of the classroom or leadership roles within the classroom. 

Outstanding MPA Student Award: Roxanna Arjon 

MPA student graduating in the current academic year who demonstrates excellence in intellectual work and going beyond course assignments to enhance learning. SPAA faculty nominate students for this award. 
 

Scott Brooks Award: Zoe Johnson    
Scott Brooks was a member of the faculty at KU in the mid-1970s. Scott was an essential faculty member, and he led the a resurgence in the local government concentration. No faculty member has meant more to the local government emphasis in the program since Ed Stene retired. Scott was a remarkable person and the criteria for the award captures his passion for the MPA program, and compassion for colleagues, dedication to public service, and enthusiasm for life. 

Urban Planning Student Service Award: Beth Peterson 

A student who has demonstrated exceptional service to the Urban Planning Program, both as a leader of the Kansas Association of Planning Students, and as a liaison between students and faculty. 

Master of Urban Planning Outstanding Student Award: Ian Njuguna 

Honor an outstanding Master of Urban Planning student who raises the bar in deep thinking and problem-solving in urban planning.  

American Planning Association Outstanding Student Award: Amaya Dajani 

Through the American Planning Association recognizes outstanding achievement in the study of planning by a student in an accredited planning program. Each year, the Urban Planning faculty nominate the student who they believe best exemplifies academic success, leadership, and potential for an exceptional career in planning. 

SPAA Recognizes the following graduates 

Ph.D. Graduate 

D’Arlyn Bell 

Bachelors in Public Administration or Law & Society  

Leishae Beerbower  

Monisha Biswa 

Jenna Elizabeth Bond 

Amanda Nicole Cushing 

Susan Duffey 

Sarah Kathleen Hill 

Amber Leigh Hruska 

Wengel Tigistu Kifle 

Jorge Villanueva Lamas 

Rory W. Lange 

Jacqueline Mera Palacios 

Lybah Nisar 

Ayomide Oseikwuemen Okosun 

Madeline Louise Rowley 

Anthony J. Siegrist 

Keegan Alan Tyrell 

Devan Elise Wise 

Stephen Young 

Master in Public Administration (MPA) Graduates 

Roxana Arjon 

Taylor Barnhart 

Desirae Copeland 

Parker Ford 

Alex Freeman 

Kate Gosney 

Mei He 

Christopher Hooks 

Zoe Johnson 

Chris Keefover 

Jacob Layer 

Michael Mahon 

Lane Mangels 

Sean Marshall 

Parameshwarran Mathiarasun 

Sabrina Maxwell 

Mark Meads 

Maiko Namihira 

Johnathan O’Connell 

Chandler Olmsted 

Evelyn Payne 

Daniela Prior 

Rafael Regalado 

Alexander Rinne 

Katherine Stringer 

Kyle Wilde 

Kora Wilkes 

Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Graduates 

Liz Collins 

Amaya Dajani 

Faith Eberhart 

Annalee Hanneman 

Katie Newman 

Ian Njuguna 

Beth Peterson 

Morgan Phelps 

Katherine Sinclair 

Reagan Thompson 

Fernado Torres Bonifacio 

Kiley Meierarend 

Steven Gilmore 

Pi Alpha Alpha 
Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society for students of public administration. It promotes excellence in the study and practice of public administration and public affairs. Membership into this society is based on distinguished academic achievement. MPA students must earn a 3.7 or higher GPA.  Undergraduates must earn a 3.5 or above GPA in their major and a 3.0 or above cumulative GPA. 

Undergraduate Inductees:    

Leishae Beerbower 

Sarah Kathleen Hill 

Ayomide Oseikwuemen Okosun 

Devin Elise Wise 

MPA (Master of Public Administration) Inductees: 

Roxana Arjon 

Alex Freeman 

Chris Keefover 

Lane Mangels  

Mark Meads 

Evelyn Payne  

Christopher Hooks 

Johnathan O’Connell  

Phi Kappa Phi 
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 to recognize scholarly achievement in all disciplines in the university, to promote the "unity and democracy of education", and to “engage the community of scholars in service to others.” The society's motto is "Let the love of learning rule humanity".  

The Phi Kappa Phi MUP (Master of Urban Planning) inductees are:    

Liz Collins 

Morgan Phelps 

About the School of Public Affairs and Administration  

The mission of the School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Kansas is to educate exceptional leaders for public service who provide solutions to the most pressing community challenges at all levels of governance. With roots in local government management and urban policy, we advance the public good, democratic values, and ethical public management practices.  

For 75 years, the School of Public Affairs and Administration has educated exceptional students not only through the highly ranked MPA program but also through its expanded public service education options. The Master of Urban Planning program celebrates 50 years of improving the quality of life in communities and the doctoral program is a leader in preparing scholars for the future of public service. Centering public service at the heart of democracy, SPAA’s professional development arm – the KU Public Management Center – has been training public sector practitioners and partnering with communities to cultivate excellence for more than 50 years.