Your 2023 Kate Hevner Mueller Award Winners (N-R)

Kate Hevner Mueller served Indiana University from 1937 to 1969 as Dean of Women, Senior Counselor for Women, and Professor of Education. Dr. Mueller was a national pioneer for women professionals and developed the Master’s Program in College Student Personnel (Higher Education and Student Affairs) at Indiana University in the early 1950s. The Kate Hevner Mueller Senior Awards were established in 2013 to honor IU seniors who have proven leadership on campus both inside and outside of the classroom and who have improved the IU community through their presence.

This year, Indiana University has selected 27 outstanding recipients for the Kate Hevner Mueller Outstanding Senior Award. In this article, we congratulate Rithwik Nichenametla, Britney Nilli, Stephanie Perez, Mahnoor Qureshi, and Karen Rodriguez for their ability to represent Dr. Mueller’s essential goals of the university: to promote intellect, develop personality, and inspire citizenship and leadership to all students.

Rithwik Nichenametla
Britney Nilli
Stephanie Perez
Mahnoor Qureshi
Karen Rodriguez

 Rithwik Nichenametla

Rithwik Nichenametla graduated from the Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in Finance. He served as Vice President of Beta Chi Theta and as President of the Multicultural Greek Council (MCGC), through which he championed MCGC representation on campus. Rithwik also served as Treasurer for the IU Student Government, where he helped fund initiatives to improve health & wellbeing, safety, engagement, and diversity & inclusion within our student body. 

Acknowledgments

When reflecting on those that have impacted him most during his time at IU, Rithwik said:

Thank you to all the friends, family, faculty, and administration who made this award possible for me. It means a lot to have had everyone supporting me and my endeavors. 

 Britney Nilli

Britney Nilli is graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology. She served as Co-president of the Minority Association of Premedical Students, as an I Can Persist STEM Equity Intern, and as a FASE mentor. She sought roles that allowed her to empower minority women in STEM fields. Britney mentored many first-year students from a wide variety of degree paths, even those that were beyond her academic interests. 

Acknowledgments

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Britney said:

Thank you for supporting and encouraging me through my undergraduate career. Without your support, I would not have not been able to accomplish what I have in my time here at Indiana University. I am forever grateful and appreciative of the love and care you all provided me and I hope that in my actions, I have been able to reciprocate the same to you. 

 Stephanie Perez

Stephanie Perez is graduating from the Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in Supply Chain Management, co-majoring in Sustainable Business. Stephanie served on the Hutton Honors Dean’s Advisory Board, where she created the Hudson Holland and Hutton Scholars (3HS) for students in the Hutton Honors College and the Hudson and Holland Scholars Program to find community and increase participation and engagement. Over the last year, Stephanie saw a need for more financial support for students within Hutton and worked to have new scholarship opportunities created.  

Acknowledgments

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Stephanie said:

My support system has motivated me in every aspect of my life, and I would not have achieved the accomplishments I have without them. Thank you to Lynn for showing me what hard work looks like and for introducing me to endless opportunities. Thank you to Shawna for teaching me how to be a creative leader and encouraging me in everything I do. Thank you to Sarah for supporting me through rain or shine and reminding me to have a laugh every once in a while. Finally, thank you to my parents for selflessly sacrificing your lives to give me opportunities you never had, and for continuously motivating me to break boundaries, exceed expectations, and set the bar higher than anyone could ever imagine. 

 Mahnoor Qureshi

Mahnoor Qureshi is graduating with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and Spanish from the College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Law and Institutions from the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. She served as a Cox Engagement Scholar, where she supported local elementary schools with the English-as-a-New-Language programs as a year volunteer. She was actively involved in Muslim Student Association and, during her time on the executive board, helped the organization become a more welcoming and open space for all.   

Acknowledgments

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Mahnoor said:

My first thank you would go to my parents, who always supported my dreams and answered every single one of my phone calls, assuring me that one A- would not ruin my life. Secondly, I want to thank my professors, who always steered my in the right direction. Finally, I want to specifically thank Professor Cohn, who made me want to reach for the moon but also taught me that landing on the stars was okay. 

 Karen Rodriguez

Karen Rodriguez is graduating from the School of Public Health with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree in Exercise Science. She held many executive roles within Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, including Vice President, and dedicated her time to building relationships and collaborations across campus. She served as a chair for the Luis Dávila Leadership Council, as a Student Ambassador for the School of Public Health, and as a Groups Scholars Peer Mentor.  

Acknowledgments

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Karen said:

Thank you to my support system for providing me the encouragement that I needed all through out these past four years. Mil gracias a mis padres que ustedes son mi motivación en todo lo que hago en mi vida. Mis éxitos son de ustedes.