Public Health students, staff receive Office of Student Life awards

Four members of CPH community honored for leadership, service, mentorship

A graphic featuring four members of the CPH community

Three College of Public Health students and one staff member were honored for their contributions to The Ohio State University with awards from The Office of Student Life this spring. 

JOJO Beyene

College of Public Health Senior Academic Advisor JOJO Beyene received the Outstanding Mentorship Award in recognition of her empathy, responsiveness and commitment to student success. Beyond her support of individual students, Beyene's guidance was instrumental in re-establishing the student organization Buckeyes for Public Health, according to the Office of Student Life. Beyene empowers individual students and student organizations to collaborate, innovate and build welcoming spaces.

Joshua Ghosh-Groen

Graduating BSPH student Joshua Ghosh-Groen received three awards: 

  • The Outstanding Senior Award, one of Ohio State’s highest honors for undergraduate student leaders. This award recognizes less than 1% of graduating seniors who excel in leadership, service and scholarship.
  • The Dr. Ellamae Simmons Leadership Award, a recognition for students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service related to issues at the intersection of race and gender.
  • The Belonging and Community Impact Award. This award recognizes an outstanding student who promotes belonging and community building at Ohio State.

Mehak Khatric 

Junior Mehak Khatric received the Outstanding Student Organization Positional Leader Award for her contributions to the Pakistani American Student Association (PASA). As the organization's vice president, Khatric helped lead PASA to new heights while fostering a strong sense of community among. Khatric played a key role in securing partnerships with Pakistani businesses, expanding PASA’s network and resources. She has also led collaborations with other South Asian student organizations, helping to create a more unified cultural presence on campus, according to the Office of Student Life.

Sarah Weglarz

Senior undergraduate student Sarah Weglarz received the Willie J. Young, Sr. Student Impact Award, a recognition for students who have had a positive impact on their off-campus community. Weglarz advocates for youth empowerment and education as a co-founder of Uplift Youth Volunteers, a group designed to address resource disparities affecting children’s development. Inspired by coursework on child psychology and public health, Uplift Youth Volunteers partnered with Graham Elementary and Middle School in Columbus to provide essential resources including books, nonperishable food and physical education equipment.