UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Fox Graduate School Alumni Society has announced the recipients of its 2026 alumni awards, recognizing three graduates whose achievements exemplify the values of leadership, service and professional excellence. This year’s honorees include Ashley Kuzmik, recipient of the Early Career Award; Maya E. Nehme, recipient of the Outstanding Service Award; and David W. Mazyck, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards were presented during the annual Fox Graduate School Alumni Society Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, March 28, in the Nittany Lion Inn.
Early Career Award: Ashley Kuzmik
Kuzmik, who earned a doctoral degree in public health in 2021, is being recognized with the Early Career Award for her rapidly emerging impact on dementia care research and her dedication to mentorship. Her interdisciplinary work spans gerontology, public health, caregiving science and physical activity, establishing her as a rising scholar in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. After completing two postdoctoral fellowships at Penn State, where she contributed to NIH-funded projects focused on improving dementia care delivery, she joined the Alzheimer’s Association in 2024 as associate director of health services research.
Kuzmik has authored 55 peer-reviewed publications, with additional manuscripts under review, and has presented her work at regional, national and international conferences. Her research explores environmental, social and economic influences on physical activity among persons living with dementia and their caregivers, informing interventions that support well-being and equitable aging. A committed mentor, she has guided 43 students and professionals across disciplines, strengthening the next generation of dementia care researchers.
Outstanding Service Award: Maya E. Nehme
Maya E. Nehme, who earned a doctorate in entomology in 2009, is the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award for her global leadership in sustainable development and her continued commitment to Penn State. As a graduate student, she helped conceptualize what became the dual-title program in International Agriculture and Development, now enrolling 30–40 students annually across multiple disciplines. Nehme remains an active contributor to the program through guest lectures, student mentorship and support for philanthropic initiatives.
As director of the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative since 2018, she has overseen more than 120 community development and reforestation projects across 275 towns, enabling the planting of over 1.6 million trees and strengthening local capacity through youth training, women’s empowerment and agroforestry programs. She has consulted internationally and was recognized by the United Nations on International Women’s Day in 2022. Following the 2024 Beirut explosion, she mobilized large‑scale emergency response efforts, reflecting her ongoing dedication to service and community resilience.
Lifetime Achievement Award: David W. Mazyck
David W. Mazyck, who earned a master’s degree in 1996 and doctorate in 2000, both in environmental engineering, is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career as an engineer, educator, entrepreneur and institutional leader. A three-time Penn State alumnus, he has made significant contributions across academia, industry and national research initiatives.
Mazyck currently serves as the inaugural president of a new STEM university sponsored by the Walton Family, where he is shaping innovative, workforce-aligned engineering education. He spent more than two decades at the University of Florida, rising to full professor and leading online and industry-focused engineering programs that became national models. In 2022, he returned to Penn State to lead the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, expanding experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. His research on engineered sorbents for air and water purification has produced numerous publications, patents and startup companies. Known for his commitment to mentorship and inclusive excellence, Mazyck has positively influenced students, colleagues and institutions throughout his career.
For more information about the Fox Graduate School Alumni Society awards, visit the Fox Graduate School website.