Each spring, the University of Southern California celebrates students who go above and beyond through the annual Student Recognition Awards Ceremony. This annual awards ceremony shines a spotlight on the Trojans who exemplify USC’s Unifying Values not just in the classroom, but also in their workplaces, communities, and everyday lives.
This year, six USC Bovard College graduates earned the Order of Arête in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership, and lasting contributions to the university and the communities they serve.
Order of Arête
Photo: Stacy Aleman
Stacy Aleman, MMLIS, served as the inaugural Vice President of the American Library Association Student Chapter (ALA-SC). She worked closely with the President and executive board to support recognition efforts, coordinate initiatives, and maintain continuity throughout the chapter’s establishment. Aleman also volunteers with her local library, cataloging zines. She is a U.S. Navy veteran, having served 5 years as a hospital corpsman.
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Photo: Nyrza Castro
Nyrza Castro, MMLIS, served as the inaugural President of the American Library Association Student Chapter (ALA-SC) at USC Bovard College, guiding the organization from concept to reality. She led the chapter through the full recognition process from drafting its constitution, coordinating approval with the ALA and USC Student Life. Castro created a culture of trust and inclusion for students in the MMLIS program, laying a foundation that will benefit the USC community beyond her time in the program. In addition to creating the ALA-SC chapter, she also works full-time as a Branch Manager for Library Systems and Services, LLC.
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Photo: Rachel Hallstrom
Rachel Hallstrom, MSHRM, works full time as a Culture Program Manager at GE Aerospace. Despite personal adversity, she excelled academically while volunteering with the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, the National PTA, and Girl Scouts, and advocated for families through PDA North America. Hallstrom also served as a member of the Human Resources Management Association at USC.
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Photo: Sana Hansoti
- Sana Hansoti, MSPM, served as the inaugural Secretary of the USC PMI-Los Angeles Student Chapter, where she led the chapter’s registration process, executive board meetings, and served as a liaison between USC Bovard College and the PMI-LA professional chapter. Hansoti connected students, alumni, and faculty through organizing workshops, certification guidance sessions, and networking events. In addition to her full-time role in data operations at Optum United Health Group, she also volunteers in Ramadan food distribution efforts that have served more than 80 local families.
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Photo: Domenica Romaniello
Domenica Romaniello, MSPM, serves as a Special Projects Manager for the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she led internship programs funded by the American Cancer Society. She designed learning structures that supported interns in presenting research at national and international conferences. As such, several participants went on to secure long-term laboratory positions. Romaniello created feedback channels to continuously improve the internship program and fostered an environment of trust and transparency, reflecting USC’s commitment to ethical leadership and student-centered care.
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Photo: Travis Viera-Liden
- Travis Viera-Liden, MMLIS, has served the USC community as both a staff member and student leader. As a Collection Development Specialist for USC Libraries since 2021, he supports student and faculty research while contributing to multiple committees, including the USC Libraries Staff Mentorship Committee. As the inaugural Media and Communications Chair for the ALA Student Chapter at USC Bovard College, he built the chapter’s communications infrastructure and helped organize a well-attended virtual “Lunch and Learn” with incoming ALA President Maria McCauley, giving MMLIS students direct access to a leader in the field.