The University held the Student Recognition Awards Ceremony on May 9, 2024, in Bovard Auditorium to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding graduating students. Six Bovard College students were honored with the prestigious Order of Arête, which acknowledges their academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and significant contributions to the university and community.
MSHRM graduate Miguel Lima is the first graduate from Bovard College to receive the Order of the Laurel and the Palm, the highest honor given to students completing their degrees at USC. It is awarded to students who display exceptional leadership and service that makes a lasting impact on the university community and the world at large. Less than 1% of undergraduates and graduates are selected to receive the Order of the Laurel and the Palm.
Order of the Laurel and the Palm
Photo: Miguel Lima
Miguel Lima, MSHRM, is a diversity champion whose commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) extends beyond the classroom. During his 4 years at Disney, Lima volunteered in the DEI space leading Employee Resource Groups (ERG) as president of SALUTE, Disney’s veteran ERG, and treasurer of PRIDE, Disney’s LGBTQ+ ERG. To support the Trojan community, Lima volunteered on the Graduate Student Government (GSG) Grants Committee and the GSG Sustainability Committee. As a veteran, Lima is an active member at the American Legion Hollywood Post 43 and volunteers with the local non-profit organization Warriors Road whose mission is to heal our veterans and first responders through the power of working with horses.
Lima’s exceptional leadership in class and his impactful contributions to his workplace, community, and the university demonstrated how the committee awarded him the Order of the Laurel and the Palm.
Order of Arête
Photo: Summer Abou-Rass
Summer Abou-Rass, MSHT, interned with Andart Global as a consultant on NEOM tourism projects in Saudi Arabia while pursuing her graduate degree. During her internship, Abou-Rass embraced USC’s values, providing solutions to advance the hospitality and tourism sector while improving people’s lives and the community overall. This includes working with women refugees from Palestine and Syria, helping to preserve their crafts and artwork for worldwide distribution. In class, Abou-Rass led with integrity and a mindset for ethical conduct, honoring honesty in communication.
Photo: Meagan Adams
Meagan Adams, MSPM, is a Clinical Operations Project Coordinator for USC’s Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute at the Keck School of Medicine. Adams exemplifies USC’s Unifying Values of Excellence and Accountability through her contributions in class, her passion for learning, and for helping those in need. In addition to her work researching Alzheimer’s Disease, Adams also volunteers at a local nursing home.
Photo: Jorge Hernandez
Jorge Hernandez, MSHRM, is a Human Resources Consultant for Kaiser Permanente. Hernandez supports disability initiatives within his community and workplace. While pursuing his graduate degree, Hernandez assisted faculty with initiatives increasing disability inclusion as well as being his workplace’s representative for an internship for students with disabilities. Hernandez’s contributions show his commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
Photo: Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee, MSPM, is a Business Process Improvement Senior Specialist for Southern California Edison. In a previous role, Lee was an active member of an Employee Resource Group with a focus on Clean Transportation. He also received a Member Highlight from the Community of Asians & Pacific Islanders in Energy (CAPE) for his contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts and a Spotlight Award for his contributions to making the organization successful. In addition to his contributions in the workplace, Lee is involved in community service projects and demonstrated leadership in the classroom.
Photo: Paul Lee
Paul Lee, MSPM, is a Co-Planning Analyst for Breville, USA. Throughout his time in the program, Lee played a crucial role in fostering trust and creating a strong bond among his cohort. The integrity and accountability Lee showed in the classroom every week created a space to engage in meaningful discussions. Lee also holds a servant leadership role and volunteers as a video producer in his church.
Photo: Jazmin Thomas
Jazmin Thomas, MSEM, is an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter with the New York City Fire Department (NYFD). Thomas volunteers with New York City firefighter training and outreach programs and improves resilience throughout the city as a member of the NYFD Community Affairs Unit, the FDNY Recruitment and Diversity Outreach Program, and the FDNY Mentorship Program. Thomas also served as an instructor with the FDNY Female Fire Candidate Program and is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). Thomas exemplifies USC’s values through service and leadership in her community and the world at large.
Watch the 2024 Student Recognition Awards Ceremony here.