The Center for Buddhist Studies and the Department of East Asian Studies are pleased to announce that Jesenia Sánchez-Frost is 2025 Winner of the Khyentse Foundation Best Student Award.
Jesenia is a senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona, majoring in Sustainable Plant Systems. Their study of Buddhism began as a personal interest that grew into meaningful academic pursuit, exploring how values like interdependence, compassion, and nonviolence intersect with sustainability, healing, and global responsibility. Through coursework in Tibetan Buddhism and Buddhism and Healing with Dr. Dachille, they have gained insight into how inner transformation can support both personal and collective care in response to environmental and social challenges. They are honored to receive the Khyentse Best Student Award in recognition of this interdisciplinary engagement.