Five honored with Oakland University’s most prestigious student awards

Each year, Oakland University recognizes outstanding student leaders who demonstrate academic excellence while making a positive impact on campus and in the community. 

OU’s Wilson Awards are presented annually to two graduating seniors who have contributed as scholars, leaders and responsible citizens, and the Human Relations Award is given annually to a graduating senior who has contributed to intergroup understanding and conflict resolution in the OU community.

A committee reviews nominations from faculty, staff and students and selects recipients of the Wilson and Human Relations Awards. Recommended candidates are approved as honorees by the vice president for student affairs and chief diversity officer, and the president.

The Don and Jan O’Dowd Graduate Award recognizes a graduate student who has made outstanding contributions through exemplary leadership and service at Oakland University and the surrounding community, exhibiting traits such as intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication to their field of study.

OU’s Graduate Council reviews candidates for the Don and Jan O’Dowd Graduate Award and recommends the nominee for final approval to the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Read on to learn about the 2025 honorees, who were formally recognized at the April 11 OU Board of Trustees meeting.

Alfred G. Wilson Award: Dylan Pillivant

A biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences, Dylan Pillivant maintained a 3.98 grade point average while making a positive impact at OU and in surrounding communities.

His contributions include serving as president of United 2 Heal, a student organization that works with community partners to deliver medical supplies to underserved communities abroad. As co-founder and treasurer of OU's Minority Association of Premedical Students, he supported mentorship, academic success, and healthcare advocacy for underrepresented students. Through his work as a peer mentor with OU’s Gender and Sexuality Center, he helped to foster a sense of belonging and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students.

Pillivant also volunteers at the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic, in Pontiac, helping hundreds of patients in financial need access vital health treatments. As a volunteer at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, in Detroit, he helps children who are facing medical challenges. He also authored a book called “Feline Physicians,” which introduces children to careers in medicine, and is co-founder of the Feline Physicians Foundation, which aims to increase medical literacy for children.

Matilda R. Wilson Award: Daisy Escutia-Plaza

Daisy Escutia-Plaza, a biomedical sciences major in the College of Arts and Sciences, maintained a 3.91 grade point average, making the Dean’s List every semester, building bridges between cultures, and bringing people together on campus and in the community.  

She excelled as a student researcher, receiving national recognition and numerous awards, including the Distinction in Biomedical Sciences Award, Thesis Competitive Grant and 2023 Provost Undergraduate Research Award. Her research on the effects of the loss of hepatic manganese transporter ZIP8, which is essential for various biological processes, was published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. She also conducted research on the use of ergothioneine, a naturally occurring amino acid, to treat autism spectrum disorder.

A resourceful and inclusive leader, Escutia-Plaza served as president of OU's Hispanic American Leadership Organization, helping create a welcoming environment for Hispanic students. As a peer mentor for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, she went above and beyond to help students from marginalized communities feel at home on campus. In her work as a medical assistant, she helps bridge the communication gap between doctors and Spanish-speaking patients, ensuring that patients understand their care within a supportive and comfortable environment. 

Human Relations Award: Shardé Ford

Shardé Ford, a public relations and strategic communications major in the College of Arts and Sciences, maintained a 3.38 grade point average, earning Dean’s List recognition multiple semesters and being recognized by professors for her diligence, dedication to learning and strong commitment to civic responsibility.

She co-founded the Women’s Networking Program, serving as secretary and fostering a safe and supportive space for her peers – particularly women of color –to connect, share skills and collaborate with others. She also served as marketing director for OU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, elevating the chapter’s visibility and cultivating a space for current students to connect with alumni and potential employers.

Ford demonstrated civic responsibility by volunteering at several nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan, hosting donation drives and voter registration events, and participating in annual awareness walks for autism and breast cancer.

Don and Jan O’Dowd Graduate Award: Raenece Johnson and Miranda Umbras

Raenece Johnson, a doctoral student in educational leadership, within OU’s School of Education and Human Services, demonstrated outstanding leadership as a co-founder of the Golden Grizzlies Pantry, a vital resource that has provided food security to countless students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She played a pivotal role in securing funding, expanding the pantry's reach, and ensuring its long-term sustainability. She was also instrumental in establishing Grizz Garments, a clothing closet that provides professional and winter attire to students in need.

Johnson extended her leadership beyond campus through her work as president of the board for the National Association of Social Workers-Michigan, leveraging her connections with social workers across the state to enact meaningful change. She also served as a practicum coordinator and instructor, mentoring students and fostering an inclusive learning environment that encourages critical thinking, advocacy, and leadership.

Johnson exemplifies the spirit of the Don and Jan O’Dowd Graduate Award through her dedication to service, intellectual curiosity, and passion for student advocacy, including her doctoral research on fostering a sense of belonging among Black and African American transfer students. In fact, OU leaders cite her as the inspiration for creating the O’Dowd Graduate Award – first awarded in 2023 –  reflecting her profound impact on Oakland University and the broader community. 

Miranda Umbras entered Oakland University to pursue a doctorate in human movement science within the School of Health Sciences. She has demonstrated academic excellence and an unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of exercise physiology, with a focus on pediatric cardiac rehabilitation for children with congenital heart disease. An exceptional leader and mentor, she also directed the Health Sciences ECLIPSE program, a professional development initiative that fosters interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. She played a key role in organizing the university’s first summer camp for high school students interested in health professions, ensuring its success through her leadership and dedication.

Beyond her OU involvement, Umbras serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, where she has been an advocate for pediatric cardiac rehabilitation. She has also presented research at state and national conferences, including a survey study on the feasibility of pediatric cardiac rehabilitation in Michigan, contributing significantly to her field.

Umbras exemplifies the spirit of the Don and Jan O’Dowd Graduate Award through her commitment to service, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to student success. Her many contributions to Oakland University and the broader healthcare community will continue to influence the field of human movement science.

Learn more about the O’Dowd Graduate Award and the Wilson and Human Relation Awards.