Student of Distinction: Julia Whelan

April 13, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“My goal is to utilize both my linguistics and TESOL degrees to further our understanding of autism from the perspective of both linguistics and education.”

Student of Distinction: Laura Cortez

April 13, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Juggling work, school, marriage life, experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and commuting two hours to attend classes while also maintaining a 4.0 GPA has been a challenge. However, in a few months, I’ll be the first one in my family to graduate with a master’s degree, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.”

Student of Distinction: Jordan Pulido

April 13, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Jordan is very passionate about his art and has a strong desire to share that passion with not only his current colleagues but future music students.” ~ Dr. Cari Earnhart

Student of Distinction: Hyfa Alsahybi

April 13, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

“My ultimate goal is to create an art school for children in Yemen. For them, art can serve as a means of escape, a symbol of hope, a form of self-expression, and even therapy.”

Student of Distinction: Melissa Tejeda

April 13, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“I will take all the skills obtained in my communication degree and strive for social justice and inclusivity among my peers, not only in my career but wherever life takes me.”

Student of Distinction: Lindsay Norton

April 13, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

“My ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D., eventually teaching at a university while contributing to the emerging field of Indigenous-focused environmental humanities.”

Student of Distinction: Icarus Bailey

April 12, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“I am grateful for all the skills and education I have gained here. I am excited to use those skills to give back to our community in a deeply meaningful way by preserving our Central Valley languages.”

Student of Distinction: Paulina Mendoza Sanchez

April 12, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“I aspire to a master’s degree in linguistics and then a doctorate because I am interested in never stopping learning so as to never stop teaching.”

Dean’s Medalist: Lucca Lorenzi

April 12, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

“I had not won an unlucky lottery, but rather, a second chance at life and an opportunity to spread the healing power of creativity.”

Student of Distinction: Jego Canlas

April 11, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Finding it within myself that I want to be a teacher and mentor to students and make such an impact on them that my directors and professors have made on me is what I thrive for.”