Outstanding Young Alumni Awards
Meet our 2025 Award Recipients!
Stefania Alastre Arcusa, Cell and Molecular Biology ’17 and MSPH ’21
was the first bilingual genetic counselor at Moffitt Cancer Center, providing genetic risk assessment services for patients in both English and Spanish. Alastre Arcusa serves as a collaborative assistant professor for the USF Genetic Counseling program and is dedicated to educating Tampa area Latinos on inherited cancer syndromes and genetic testing. In 2024, she received the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ Leader in Cultural Advocacy Award.
Veronica “Ronnie” Gajownik, Interdisciplinary Social Science ’15
is an MiLB Coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Previously the manager for Hillsboro Hops, a Diamondbacks farm team, she was the first woman to manage at Minor League Baseball’s Class High-A level and the first manager in the minor or major leagues to publicly identify as LGBTQ+. A former USF Softball player, she was a member of Team USA women’s baseball and a gold medalist in the 2015 Pan-American Games. Gajownik is entering her fifth year in professional baseball.
Ashley Washington Julmis, Finance ’11, Life Member
is a director for Google Workspace, where she leads Product Strategy and Operations. In this role, she manages a diverse portfolio of teams focused on driving product strategy, operations and adoption. Julmis previously held leadership positions at Goldman Sachs, Deloitte and JP Morgan Chase & Co. Notably, she is the youngest alumna of the Muma College of Business to fully fund a business scholarship independently.
Shelly Marc, Criminology and Political Science ’13, Life Member
is a manager of public policy at Meta and has held several roles in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House, including serving as an advisor to former President Barack Obama. Marc is also the founder of On the Marc LLC, where she consulted clients on national social impact campaigns addressing climate change, criminal justice reform, voting rights and racial equity.
Bailee W. Olliff, Biomedical Sciences ’12 and MD ’16
is a trauma surgeon specializing in acute care robotic surgery. She serves as trauma medical director at HCA HealthOne Mountain Ridge and is also the medical director of University of Colorado Emergency Medical Services, a volunteer EMS agency. Dr. Olliff founded and directed the Plexus Mentoring Program and the ESTEEM Program in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and was recognized as Attending of the Year by the HCA HealthOne Swedish General Surgery Residency Program.
Hiram J. Ríos Hernández, Economics and International Studies ’15
is an economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lima and a career member of the Foreign Service at the U.S. Department of State. Previously, Ríos Hernández served as a public diplomacy officer for the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, Burma, and a consular officer for the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, China — positions in which he earned multiple Meritorious Honor Awards. He was among the first recipients of the Judy Genshaft Honors College McCorkle Scholarship Fund.
Program Highlights and Eligibility Criteria
Award Objective
The Outstanding Young Alumni Awards program recognizes up to 10 alumni aged 35 or younger who have demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity, and career success. Selections are based on professional success; however, a demonstrated commitment to USF and opportunity for future involvement may also be considered.
Established in 2004, this prestigious award celebrates the accomplishments of USF's youngest alumni. The awards event, which includes an entertaining and informative recipients' panel discussion, provides an enrichment opportunity for students and an engaging networking opportunity for students, alumni and friends.
Eligibility
- Only living alumni who've completed at least one class at USF and who have not reached the age of 36 by Jan. 1 of the award presentation year are eligible.
- Members of the Awards Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”), as well as members of the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors and their immediate family members, are not eligible to be selected or receive the award during their period of service.
- Individuals who are campaigning for elected political office are not eligible for the award if the election takes place within 12 months of the Committee's meeting.
- Individuals who accept the award commit to attend the awards event, barring an unforeseeable and extraordinary circumstance.
- USF employees may be considered provided there is a clear indication of unique and stellar success in the alum’s position.
Event Timeline
October, 2024
Nominations opened
November 15, 2024
Nominations closed
January
Award recipients notified
April 10
Outstanding Young Alumni Awards Ceremony
2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Awards
The 2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Awards was an amazing celebration of six exceptional Bulls, including an insightful panel discussion and a networking reception to connect with fellow alumni.
See the full list of past award recipients