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Newsmakers of the Week MAY 02, 2025 | The Indian Eye 31

PRANAV DIWAKAR SHWETA RAWAT

Graduate honored with Americares appoints

Outstanding Teaching Award philanthropist to its Board

by Penn State of Directors

mericares, the health-focused relief and development organization, is
pleased to announce the appointment of Shweta Rawat to its Board of
ADirectors. Rawat brings to the board a wealth of experience in develop-
ranav Diwakar, an Eberly College of Science graduate student, has been ing and scaling social impact programs, philanthropy and advocacy, along with
awarded the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teach- a deep commitment to Americares mission of helping people and communities
Ping Award by Penn State. This award is sponsored jointly by the J. Jeffery around the world access health in times of disaster and every day.
and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, through the Harold F. Martin Graduate Rawat, a champion for disability inclusion, women’s leadership and eco-
Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award endowment, and the Office of the Vice nomic empowerment, has been a staunch Americares supporter for over a
President and Dean for Undergraduate Education. decade. She is the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation, a public
Diwakar is a graduate student in physics in the lab of Radu Roiban, pro- charitable trust that was created to provide a source of endowment for not-
fessor of physics. He has served as a TA for five courses over 14 semesters for-profit organizations in India. Under her leadership, The Hans Foundation
ranging from the 200 to 500 level. Beyond teaching courses at University Park, has become one of India’s leading philanthropic organizations committed to
Diwakar has also taught Penn State World Campus classes for three semes- creating sustainable solutions for the underprivileged.
ters. “I’m deeply honored to join and serve Americares and support our
“Pranav is always willing to answer students’ equations with in-depth shared values of providing accessible health care to vulnerable communities,”
explanations in a way that does not put down nor discourage students. He says Rawat. “For over a decade, I have witnessed their critical work as first re-
frequently checks in with students to make sure they are understanding the sponders for emergency and disaster relief by offering medical assistance and
material and relates to them when they are struggling to understand a topic,” aid to those affected and building sustainable social impact programs across
said an undergraduate student in a teaching evaluation. the globe. I am grateful for this opportunity and will leverage my expertise
Diwakar has also served as a mentor for fellow graduate students, serving towards Americares continuing growth and success.”
as the TA for two graduate courses. Rawat also serves as the managing director of the Rural India Supporting
Penn State recognizes and awards students who have served as graduate Trust (RIST), an organization that she helped establish in 2009. RIST sup-
teaching assistants (TAs) for at least two semesters within the last two years. ports poverty alleviation and the well-being of communities in India, through
These students, in their time as graduate teaching assistants, have demon- strategic and value-based partnerships in alignment with United Nation’s Sus-
strated outstanding teaching performance and were nominated by a faculty or tainable Development Goals. Notably, Americares has partnered with RIST
staff member for their excellence. for over a decade to enhance health care services in Mumbai’s urban com-
“[Pranav] is also an outstanding member of the department community, munities. This collaboration led to the development and expansion of Ameri-
always dedicated to helping others and enhancing other students’ educational cares India’s Mobile Health Center Program, which grew from a single vehicle
experience,” said Irina Mocioiu, associated professor of physics and director to a comprehensive primary care delivery program that delivers care to tens of
of graduate students, in a nomination letter. “Pranav volunteers as a peer thousands of people in need each year.
mentor for more junior graduate students. He also consistently volunteers to “Shweta’s leadership and dedication to advancing health, equity and op-
participate in undergraduate physics courses like the first-year seminar or the portunity make her an outstanding addition to the Americares Board of Di-
career options course, where he shares his own experience in an encouraging rectors,” said Americares President and CEO Christine Squires.
and inspiring way.” Continued on next page... >>

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