Outstanding Recent Alumni Awardee, 2024

Pareen Mhatre is an immigration activist from Iowa City, IA, and a recent graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in business administration. She sits on the board of directors for Improve The Dream, a youth-led, non-profit organization that supports and advocates for a pathway to citizenship for children of long-term visa holders. Through this organization, Pareen has testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee. Her dedication to this cause began with personal experience and evolved into impactful advocacy. Her story and activism have been featured on NPR, ABC News, Fox News, NBC News, Good Morning America, and more. Pareen was also cited in a recent DACA ruling by the Department of Homeland Security.

Pareen is currently living in Minneapolis working for Abbott Laboratories as an associate clinical specialist in electrophysiology. She is interested in healthcare, medical devices, and immigration reform. She was recognized as one of Teen Vogue's 21 Under 21: The Young People Shaping Tomorrow and was also awarded the University of Iowa Hancher-Finkbine Distinguished Student Leader Award in 2022.