The Penn State Fox Graduate School Alumni Society announced on Apr. 15 the recipients of its 2026 alumni awards, honoring three graduates for their achievements in leadership, service, and professional excellence. The awards were presented during the annual ceremony held on March 28 at the Nittany Lion Inn.
The recognition highlights contributions made by Ashley Kuzmik, Maya E. Nehme, and David W. Mazyck across public health research, global sustainable development, and engineering education. These honors reflect the ongoing commitment of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences to advance agricultural research and education to enhance quality of life, according to the official website.
Ashley Kuzmik received the Early Career Award for her work in dementia care research and mentorship since earning her doctoral degree in public health in 2021. She has contributed to National Institutes of Health-funded projects focused on improving dementia care delivery and joined the Alzheimer’s Association as associate director of health services research in 2024. Kuzmik has authored over fifty peer-reviewed publications and mentored more than forty students across disciplines.
Maya E. Nehme was honored with the Outstanding Service Award for her leadership in sustainable development initiatives worldwide since earning a doctorate in entomology in 2009. As director of the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative since 2018, she has overseen more than one hundred twenty community projects that have enabled planting over one million trees across Lebanon. Nehme played a role responding to emergencies following events such as the Beirut explosion in 2024.
David W. Mazyck received the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his career as an engineer, educator, entrepreneur, and leader within academia and industry after completing graduate studies at Penn State between 1996 and 2000. He currently serves as president of a new STEM university sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation while continuing his involvement with educational innovation at Penn State.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences operates as Penn State University’s land-grant college according to its official website here. The college extends its reach through facilities such as barns, laboratories and classrooms on campus; collaborates with industry to promote equity; delivers expertise addressing social needs; and provides extension programs throughout every Pennsylvania county according to its official website.
