On May 13, 2021, USC held the Student Recognition Awards Ceremony to honor exceptional graduating students who have contributed to the USC community.
This year, 7 Bovard College graduates have received the prestigious Order of Arête, awarded by the university to recognize graduating students who have made exceptional contributions to the community and university. This award represents the highest honor graduate students can receive upon completion of their degree.
These graduates surpassed expectations in leadership, volunteer work, and community engagement while maintaining exceptional academic performance. All were nominated by Bovard College faculty, to recognize their incredible commitment to improving life in the Trojan community.
Learn more about each of Bovard College’s award recipients:
Photo: Vasyl Ghanimian
Vasyl Ghanimian, MSCJ ’21 is a private practice psychotherapist and mental health clinician for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he helps marginalized members of the community obtain care. In 2019, when starting the MSCJ program, Vasyl started a community-based mental health practice to provide affordable mental health services. In addition, Vasyl is engaging with his local police department, including proposing efforts addressing mental health and homelessness in the city.
Photo: Nicole Garcia
Nicole Garcia, MSHRM ’21 was most recently the head of human resources at Farm Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization. In 2019, she received the Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR, awarded to one student nationwide by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). While pursuing her studies, she established the student-run HR Management Association at USC. Nicole also volunteers with Reading Partners, an organization focused on literacy tutoring, and serves as the Communications Chair in her local Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) chapter.
Photo: Brian Fleenor
Brian Fleenor, MSPM ’21, a 12-year U.S. Air Force veteran, is a project manager at the Tibor Rubin-Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). He volunteered with the Los Angeles VAMC Intensive Care Unit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while working full-time and pursuing his degree. Brian also volunteered to help support a civilian mass COVID-19 vaccination site in his community.
Photo: Zachary Bellicini
Zachary Bellicini, MSPM ’21 pursued his master’s degree while working full-time as an analyst with the City of San Antonio. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Mineman 2nd Class Petty Officer. During his time at USC, Zachary was committed to building camaraderie and helpful communication with his classmates. At the start of the program, he set up communication channels for his classmates, where they could discuss projects and stay connected.
Photo: Ananya Paul Majumdar
Ananya Paul-Majumdar, MSPM ’21 is an Assistant Director – Project Manager at Moody’s Analytics. During her time in the MSPM program, she made significant contributions to her employer, including working with USC to recruit engineering and technology internship candidates. Her contributions lead to her being ranked a Top Performer and Contributor by her employer. In addition to working full time while pursuing a master’s degree, Ananya volunteered with Girls Who Code and Create Confidence to mentor others pursuing their dreams.
Photo: Jairo Umana
Jairo Umana, MSPM ’21 is an Information Technology Services – Field Services PC Systems Analyst at the University of Southern California. He coordinated the technology deployment that front-line workers used to test and vaccinate the USC community. Jairo often took a lead role in facilitating team discussions and organized study groups with his fellow classmates. He has been very involved in his local community, volunteering to support needs of the community, and organize youth programs.
Photo: Lacey Lovejoy Allen
Lacey Lovejoy-Allen, MSPM ’21 is an IT HR/Payroll Systems Manager at California State University, Channel Islands. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, she implemented a rapid response to dispersing federal CARES funding for CSUCI. This effort required strategic coordination and handling of resources across the organization. Lacey played a critical role in the successful distribution of the funding, all while raising her young family and being a mentor in her community.