Aishat Aina named 2026 recipient of the Saeeda Peermahomed Award
Aishat Aina, a master’s student in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is the 2026 recipient of the Saeeda Peermahomed Award. Presented annually by Global Student Engagement, the award recognizes outstanding international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and service.
Aishat’s experience as an international graduate student at the University of Georgia reflects scholarly distinction, collaborative leadership, and a strong commitment to community building. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, she has developed a rigorous research agenda focused on participatory development and extension systems. Her graduate research examines university-based extension models in Romania, utilizing national survey data and stakeholder engagement to inform policy and practice. She has presented her work at national and international conferences and contributed to interdisciplinary research addressing rural development and community agency.
In addition to her academic achievements, Aishat has demonstrated exceptional campus leadership. She currently serves as Vice President of the Graduate Student Association, representing graduate student interests on university governance bodies including the Graduate Council and University Council. As Team Lead for the GSA Wellness and Health Committee, she led a university-wide graduate student well-being survey that generated more than 400 responses. The results directly informed the creation of BALANCE, an initiative designed to promote mental health, connection, and holistic support through inclusive programming.
Aishat’s commitment to international engagement and cultural exchange is equally significant. As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant with the African Studies Institute, she supported the Yorùbá language program through innovative teaching and cultural outreach. Her campus involvement also includes leadership with MANRRS, participation in African Graduate Students’ Forum, and service on committees that strengthen intercultural dialogue across UGA.
Reflecting on the honor, Aina shared:
Saeeda Peermahomed’s legacy reminds us that international students enrich universities not only through academic achievement, but through the cultural bridges we build and the communities we nurture. Receiving this award is both an honor and a responsibility, and I am committed to continuing to serve, lead, and create connections that strengthen the University of Georgia and the global communities we represent.
Linden Dudley, Director for Global Student Engagement said that Aishat is well deserving of this award. “The selection committee was impressed by the breadth of her involvement on campus and felt that it showed a true embodiment of the award’s purpose,” said Dudley.
This year’s selection committee was comprised of:
- Dan Silk, Associate Vice President for Public Safety
- Beau Seagraves, Associate Vice President for Student Well-Being, Division of Student Affairs
- Lisa Sperling, Senior Director Student Success & Well-Being, The Graduate School
- Nicole McConnell, Director of University Transitions
- Amelia Ross, Manager of Quality and Performance Excellence, University Health Center
- Kristine Garcia, Immigration Advisor, Office of Global Engagement
The award is made possible by the Peermahomed Family and is given in memory of Saeeda Peermahomed. Saeeda was a University of Georgia student from India who was studying to obtain a master’s degree in journalism when she was killed in a tragic automobile accident in North Georgia in 1979. Saeeda was an outstanding international student who was active in international student organizations and promoted cross-cultural exchange. This award is given in Saeeda’s memory to honor the goals of inter-cultural exchange for which she stood.
Each year, all currently enrolled UGA international students are eligible to apply if they have a current GPA of 3.5 or better. Application details are made available in early February each year at gse.uga.edu.
Global Student Engagement within the Center of Global and Cultural Student Engagement is under the Division of Student Affairs and focuses its work on creating unique and educational opportunities for all UGA students to build global leadership skills.
