More than 30 Students Recognized at Pinning Ceremony

November 9, 2026

By Katya Hrichak

At an October event described by one student as “truly uplifting,” more than 30 doctoral students were welcomed as new Graduate School Dean’s Scholars. This honor recognizes doctoral students who were nominated and selected for this distinction for their demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and service.

“I have so much gratitude for this community, as it has been monumental to me continuing at Cornell,” said Talyia Griffin, a microbiology doctoral candidate and returning Dean’s Scholar during her remarks at the event. “I have received so much support, kindness, and care from many of the people here at my lowest moments while navigating graduate school.”

Dean’s Scholars are recipients of competitive fellowships funded by the Graduate School and partnering colleges. These fellowships recognize scholars for their strong potential to contribute significantly to Cornell’s founding principle of “… any person … any study” and to core values of providing a community of belonging where individuals representing different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can engage in purposeful discovery together in an environment of respect.

At the ceremony, each scholar received a pin with a gold center containing the Cornell seal, representing the scholars’ achievement, surrounded by an outer ring of silver, representing their persistence.

“We are always so proud to recognize each new cohort of Dean’s Scholars,” said Thomas A. Lewis, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education. “Each one of these remarkable students brings with them the potential to transform the university and the world for the better, and we are excited to see the impacts they make during their time at Cornell and beyond.”

Newly pinned students join a community of nearly 300 currently enrolled Dean’s Scholars, providing them with the opportunity to establish and maintain connections across graduate fields by engaging in professional and community development events offered through the Graduate School and campus partners.

The community Griffin found as a Dean’s Scholar is one that several of the newly pinned students expressed eagerness to join—and one computer science doctoral student Mohamed Elmoghany looks forward to contributing to.

“I see it as a responsibility to give back, by explaining to the public why research matters and by mentoring undergraduates who are starting out,” he said.

For nutrition doctoral student Sadie Azad and global development doctoral student Nassim Ashford, being pinned is an acknowledgement of the many journeys students take to get to Cornell.

“This recognition shows me that an unconventional path can still lead to a career in science,” said Azad, who moved to the U.S. from Iran and studied at two community colleges before transferring to Cornell and applying for graduate study. “It also reminds me how much it matters when institutions invest in students from many different backgrounds.”

Ashford shared similar sentiments, noting that he sees himself reflected in the principle “… any person … any study.”

“Being a Dean’s Scholar makes me incredibly happy,” he said. “I’m the first person in my family to pursue a doctorate, and I want my family and community to see what’s possible. The experiences that brought me here are only the beginning of what I want to do.”

The Graduate School Dean’s Scholars program is led by Associate Dean for Inclusion and Student and Faculty Engagement Sara Xayarath Hernández.