2025 Phi Beta Kappa Award Recipients

Major(s): Environmental Studies & French

Throughout her time at USC, Emerson Damiano has shown her dedication to the environment. She is particularly drawn to marine conservation, and has conducted research as part of USC’s Scientific Scuba Diving program. She has also worked with Oceana, an organization devoted to protecting the world’s oceans, which led to her publishing her first academic paper. Back on dry land, she helps lead our women’s club lacrosse team as a coach and mentor to her peers.

For diving deep into pressing environmental issues, USC’s Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa honors Emerson Damiano.

Major(s): English (Creative Writing) & East Asian Languages and Cultures

A terrific writer, poet, and scholar, Jonathan Hayden is passionate about the literary life. From poems to novels to music criticism, their writing probes the ways that art, culture, and history shape our world. Their poetry has been featured in several publications, including Epoch magazine and the Stonecoast Review. As an editor for Dornsife’s arts and literary magazine Palaver, they also help bring greater attention to the talent and interests of the university’s student artists.

For their excellent contributions to our creative community, USC’s Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recognizes Jonathan Hayden.

Major(s): International Relations & Journalism

Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan is committed to storytelling with social impact. This includes his advocacy for political prisoners in Central Asia—which resulted in the first published English-language account of their experiences—as well as his efforts to combat child trafficking in India. He serves as executive editor of Annenberg Media, overseeing contributions from over 400 journalists, and his reporting has been recognized by The Guardian, BBC, Al Jazeera, and the Los Angeles Times.

For his determined efforts to shed light on authentic stories, USC’s Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa honors Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan.

Major(s): Quantitative Biology

Minor(s): Health Care Studies, Connected Devices and Making

An aspiring physician, Kenneth Nguyen is driven by his desire to improve the lives of patients. Combining biology and computer science, he has contributed to Alzheimer’s and stem cell research at USC. As part of the university’s medical device design club, he also helped develop adjustable prosthetics for growing children. His technical ingenuity is accompanied by his sense of compassion, as he also serves as a counselor and tutor to students of all backgrounds.

For embracing the spirit of discovery and innovation, USC’s Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa recognizes Kenneth Nguyen.