Two Mavericks Earn Presidential Graduate Fellowships

University of Nebraska Interim President Susan Fritz has announced the six recipients of 2019-20 Presidential Graduate Fellowships. The prestigious fellowships are awarded to a select group of NU graduate students each year on the basis of high academic performance and personal accomplishment. Fellows receive an annual stipend made available through the University of Nebraska Foundation that allows them to pursue their studies full-time.

This year’s fellowships are awarded to two students each at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Recipients are pursuing advanced degrees in genetics, cell biology and anatomy; medical sciences; psychology; public administration; biological sciences; and electrical and computer engineering.

“Our Presidential Graduate Fellows are among the best students at the University of Nebraska,” Fritz said. “They are accomplished scholars, inspiring mentors and outstanding representatives of their campuses – exactly the kind of young people who will lead our state forward. We are grateful for the private support that allows these talented students to devote themselves fully to their studies.”

The UNO recipients are:

Nadine Maliakkal, of Pittsford, New York, a master’s degree student in psychology. Maliakkal plans to continue her graduate studies with a Ph.D. at UNO after she completes her master’s degree. Her bachelor’s degree in psychology is from the University of New Hampshire; after earning her B.A., she worked full-time as a research assistant at Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence. Maliakkal’s hands-on experience while studying at UNO includes human resources consulting work for two Omaha healthcare organizations. As a graduate research assistant, Maliakkal has been involved with research on workplace culture, team effectiveness, leadership, creativity and innovation. She already has several journal publications and presentations in her graduate career as well as awards and honors for her scholastic achievements.

Morgan Vogel, of Berea, Ohio, a Ph.D. student in public administration. Vogel is already turning her scholarship into research for the academic community. Earlier this year, she and colleagues contributed a book chapter on the topic of mobility management and sustainable economic growth through public transit. As part of her Ph.D. program at UNO, Vogel has been involved in several projects including K-12 data compilation, project management associated with mobility management for rural transit, rural transit research and participation with the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency’s Coordinated Transit Subcommittee. She received the Outstanding Student Award from the University of Dayton’s Master of Public Administration program, where she earned her MPA and bachelor’s degree in political science.

Megan Perry, of West Point, Nebraska, a Ph.D. student in genetics, cell biology and anatomy and Rashelle Hoffman, of Holdrege, Nebraska, a Ph.D. student in medical sciences at the Munroe-Meyer Institute were the Presidential Graduate Fellows from UNMC. The fellows from UNL included Colton Watts, of Cookeville, Tennessee, a Ph.D. student in biological sciences. Josue Campos do Prado, of Joinville, Brazil, a Ph.D. student in electrical and computer engineering.