The 2025 Mr. and Miss Augusta University Scholarship Competition was held on September 18 at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre, highlighting student talent and leadership under the theme “Dream Girls: One Night Only.” The event featured students competing in categories such as community service initiative pitch, on-stage question, talent, and evening wear.
Puja Punukollu, a fourth-year dual-degree MD-MBA student, was named the 10th Miss Augusta University. She also won the on-stage question category. Tyler Guy, a fourth-year undergraduate psychology major, earned the title of seventh Mr. Augusta University.
Other finalists for Miss Augusta University included Sophia Tang (first runner-up), Emily Mae Edmunds (second runner-up and winner of people’s choice and talent), and Annabella Natalina (Miss Congeniality). For Mr. Augusta University, Alberto Alvarez was first runner-up and received multiple awards including People’s Choice and Mr. Congeniality; Zacchaeus Mack was second runner-up.
Punukollu received a $1,500 scholarship along with an official crown and entry fee coverage for the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition. Her platform focuses on preventive health awareness in both campus and local communities.
“For me, this crown is a chance to use this platform to bring our community closer together, to make sure graduate and professional students feel just as connected as undergraduates and to continue conversations around health and access to care,” said Punukollu.
She added that her experience at Augusta University has been transformative: “Being crowned Miss Augusta University is deeply personal to me because this is my last year here,” she said. “I started at AU as a 17-year-old, unsure of myself and what role I would play. Over time, this university shaped me into a leader, a future physician and someone who is not afraid to speak up for issues that matter, whether through student government, my platform on preventative health care or simply being a voice for my peers.”
Punukollu serves as president of the Graduate Student Government Association among other activities.
Guy received a $1,000 scholarship along with his title’s regalia. His initiative addresses food insecurity among college students.
“I want to make a change,” said Guy. “It’s very important for me to work as a servant leader by creating safe spaces and platforms for the student body and aligning with the university’s student-centered approach by uplifting student-led organizations on campus.”
He continued: “This win is for the kids who didn’t feel like they fit in or belong,” said Guy. “When I got to AU, I knew I wanted to challenge myself and leave an impact on this campus. Now that I’ve been crowned, I have the honor of serving as a representative for the university. I feel so blessed to be able to have an opportunity I’ve wanted since I was accepted to Augusta University.”
Tionna Thornton from Student Life & Engagement emphasized that winners will help define what it means to be part of AU: “The pageant really reflects the values of Augusta University because it pushes students to lead, serve and represent themselves and their peers in the best way possible,” she said. “It is not just about performing on stage. It’s about thinking about what it means to be a leader, what it means to have a platform and how to give back to the campus community.”
Thornton also noted that faculty members gain new perspectives about their students during events like these: “I hope everyone who comes leaves with a deeper appreciation for our students,” she said. “Faculty and staff get to see another side of the people they teach and work with, and students walk away inspired, knowing they could be in that same spot one day. More than anything, I want people to feel proud of Augusta University and proud of the community we are building together.”
More information about upcoming events can be found via the AU Events Calendar.
