Tulane recognizes four SoPA graduates for leadership and impact

Draped in a distinctive light blue stole, four graduates from the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s (SoPA) Class of 2025 are among this year’s honorees of the Tulane 34 Award.

Nominated by faculty and staff across the Tulane community, this honor recognizes 34 Tulane graduates who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Honorees include:

Kate Donaghey, from Boston, is graduating with a Master of Public Administration with a certificate in equity-centered education leadership. Kate serves as the chief strategist for Patrick Tuwiler, education secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this role, she has helped operationalize more than $11 billion for education initiatives in the state. In 2023, Kate and her team provided free community college for eligible people 25+ through MassReconnect and increased enrollment by more than 14,000; established a program that provides resources for professional development and instructional materials to improve literacy rates for children; and ensured the continuation of the Commonwealth Cares for Children program that subsidizes child care assistance. Additionally, Kate and her colleagues updated the state's health and physical education frameworks for the first time in 17 years. Following graduation, Kate will continue to serve Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's administration as chief of staff and undersecretary, championing educational equity.

Domini Ahzjia-Monyelle Johnson, from Kansas City, Missouri, is graduating with a Master of Science in Sports Studies with certificates in sports medicine and sports coaching. Domini provided essential resources, fostered community-building, and offered mentorship to Black queer and trans students on campus as a member of the executive board of the Black Queer Collective. In their role as a graduate assistant academic advisor for Tulane Athletics, Domini guided students in balancing their academic and athletic pursuits while serving as a steadfast advocate and support system. Domini's contributions to Tulane's Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and Education organization include updating the resource binder to ensure survivors and peers have access to resources tailored to intersecting identities. Domini has completed bachelor's and master's degrees in neuroscience as well as the current master's degree they are receiving. They have dedicated their life to becoming "the best physician, advocate, mentor, friend, and family member" possible. Following graduation, Domini will begin medical school at Tulane, pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon focused on sports medicine. Their ultimate goal is to work in college athletics to aid underserved communities and continue their work in advocacy and social justice.

Benjamin Singer, from Metairie, Louisiana, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in General Legal Studies. Benjamin also completed minors in business and economics as well as a paralegal certificate. As a supplemental instructor for intermediate microeconomics, he helped students succeed in a difficult class through weekly review sessions. He also completed a rigorous 23.5-credit business minor through the Business Minor Summer Institute in just 11 weeks, demonstrating discipline and adaptability. Benjamin is an active volunteer with the Miracle League and Special Olympics, building meaningful relationships while supporting children with disabilities. Following his December graduation, Benjamin joined Value Act Capital, a San Francisco-based hedge fund specializing in activist investing, where he works as a project consultant. His role includes analyzing industries and individual firms, identifying undervalued opportunities and developing governance strategies that create long-term shareholder value. Benjamin has applied to law schools for fall 2025 admission. His goal is to pursue a career focused on corporate law and governance either through continuing his work or by attending law school.

Benjamin Yoss, from Mandeville, Louisiana, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in integrated application development. Benjamin was the sole Tulane representative in the NASA-sponsored LaSPACE Guided Pathways in STEM (GPS)2024 scholarship cohort during his junior year. He pioneered a research project to develop an Al-driven VR crisis simulator to train future first responders, coordinating with professors in emergency management at Tulane's School of Professional Advancement. Benjamin led the customer discovery, ideation, development and demonstration of the crisis simulator. As a Changemaker Institute Fellow, Benjamin founded Pixguard Al, a global social venture combating Al-generated misinformation by labeling human-made visual content with digital badges. After Hurricane Ida, Benjamin felt compelled to help his community and joined Mercy Chefs to provide meals to individuals in need. After graduation, Benjamin will work as a data engineer at Plan A Games, a tech startup supporting indie gaming studios, while further developing the VR crisis simulator.