Four School of Public Health students, one man and three women, standing next to a sign that says welcome.

Four School of Public Health students honored with 2025 President’s Student Leadership and Service Award

The award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of outstanding student leaders at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Virgil McDill | April 28, 2025

The University of Minnesota has recognized four outstanding School of Public Health students as recipients of the 2025 President’s Student Leadership and Service Award (PSLSA), one of the University’s highest student honors. SPH students Aishwarya Saravanan, Atika Bashari, Rahma Abufoor, and Taiwo Aremu were named as recipients of the 2025 award, based on their exceptional records of service and leadership and their positive impact on the University.

  • Aishwarya Saravanan (MPH, Epidemiology)
  • Atika Bashari (MPH, Public Health Nutrition
  • Rahma Abufoor (MPH, Epidemiology)
  • Taiwo Aremu (MS & PhD, Environmental Health) 

The PSLSA is awarded to University students who demonstrate a dedication to creating meaningful change through service and leadership actions that impact students, staff, and faculty of the University, as well as neighbors in the surrounding community. Students are selected for the award based on a rigorous vetting process that factors in information about the nominees’ academic standing, as well as  their leadership and service experiences over the past year. Award recipients are chosen by the PSLSA Selection Committee, which is made up of University students, staff, and faculty.

The PSLSA is a collaboration between the Office of the UMN President, UMN Office for Student Affairs, and UMN Alumni Association.

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