CALS Spring 2019 Outstanding Seniors

 

Every semester University of Arizona students volunteer, intern, conduct research, and persevere toward their professional goals and, in turn, make a difference within their campus and local communities. To celebrate their hard work and outstanding achievements, CALS hosts an Outstanding Senior Awards luncheon to honor these graduating seniors for their dedication, experience, and future goals. We interviewed these students to find out where they come from and what their aspirations post-college are. Meet the newest group of graduates below.

 

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am from Tempe, Arizona and since I was 7 years old, my dream job was to one day be able to work in the fashion industry. Since then, having joined the RCS major, I have enjoyed every minute of fulfilling my dream. This major has helped me realized that not only do I still have the same dream, but that my dream is achievable.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I will be moving to New York City after Graduation to be an Assistant Buyer for Ross Dress for Less.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory would be getting to attend and participate in the global retailing conference. One of the coolest moments of the conference was when I was able to moderate a session with the CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillion.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

There are so many events that my major has put on that have helped me get to where I am today. The biggest impact would be when I joined the Student Advisory Board. This club allowed me to participate in events I never would have though possibly. For example, this club helped me be heavily involved in the global retailing conference, and other clubs events on campus. I was able to go to the NRF big show in New York City and I was able to attend WWD Magic in Las Vegas. All of these experiences were with different clubs in my major and all have helped me to advance both my knowledge of the industry and my passion for my future career.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

In school I was in three clubs/groups. I was on the Student Advisory Board, Trend Fashion Club, Sigma Kappa Sorority, and participated in events with the NRF Club throughout the semester. Within these clubs I have held 2 leadership positions. I am the current vice chair of the student advisory board and was the Panhellenic delegate for my sorority.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

N/A - graduating a year early made it hard to go abroad.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

if there is one piece of advice that I would give to incoming students it would be to Pursue your passions. I came in to college knowing what I wanted to do but not everyone has to. I made the best decision of my life when I decided to join the Retailing and consumer sciences major and I can only hope that new students can find the same love for their major. Don’t be afraid to ask others for advice. There are so many majors on campus that you will find the one perfect for you. These past three years have been the best of my life and I can’t wait for the future.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am from San Jose, California. I chose Microbiology as a major because I have always been interested in different kinds of bacteria and viruses. My major has taught me a lot about various bacteria and viruses that are potential problems in medicine as of now. I always have known since I was 5 years old that I wanted to do something in medicine and make a huge contribution to medicine. I knew I wanted to focus more on bacteria and viruses since I was a junior in high school. I hope to use my major to be able to do research on some potentially pathogenic bacteria and understand their pathogenesis.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation, I plan to work in a research laboratory for a while. Then I want to go to graduate school to apply that knowledge to creating my own research and make contributions to medicine.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory from my time in CALS was when I was a part of Blue Chip Leadership. When I was taking a class, I met one of my best friends there and we have made so many memories in the last three years!

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

I do have one experience that has made a big impact on both my career and personal life. I struggled for a year to get into a research lab. I emailed professors every week but would constantly keep getting rejected. I finally got into a research lab last October. I learned a lot morally about this whole research lab process. What I learned was a lot of patience and not to give up, which is what kept me going and got me a position in a research lab.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I got Dean's List for Fall 2018. I also won an Outstanding Leadership Award for my community service hours. I also completed the First Year Blue Chip Leadership Program with Excellence.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I have worked in the College of Pharmacy with NASH and understanding drug metabolism for a year. I learned about drug metabolism that affects the liver and kidney pathways.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

I have a few pieces of advice for the incoming freshman. One is that if you know what you want, strive to reach that goal early on than wait for the last minute to achieve. Another thing is to get involved on campus. That is one thing that has helped me stay active at U of A. I participated in organizations and clubs. Not only are they fun but you meet new people and learn a lot from others. Another advice is to have fun, do not try to completely immerse yourself in your studies. Live a little, make a lot of friends, and have fun while at college. College is the best experience anyone could have if you study and have fun.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

Residing in San Luis, Arizona for the majority of my life, my journey began on the sunny day of June 28, 1997. Born the first child of my parents, little did they know their daughter would be the first in the family to obtain a bachelor's degree. Felipe, a fifty-one-year-old veteran who served in the army, is my father who has taught me to be a strong and independent woman. Adding some sugar and spice to my personality, Luz, my mother, taught me to be as positive as I can be and to help others regardless of their situation. I chose to major in Family Studies and Human Development because I have a passion in helping others grow and succeed in life. I want to empower families and my community to overcome difficult times. I will soon be completing my undergraduate degree at UA Yuma and one thing I have always wanted to do is research! My opportunities were limited throughout my educational journey but I am encouraged to return back to school and complete a master’s degree. This time hopefully at main campus!

What are your plans after you graduate?

My plans upon graduation are to begin a career in my field and serve my community. The population I am aiming to work for are foster care children. Upon taking a break from school and figuring what it is I want to pursue a master's degree for, I will be returning to school.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

My favorite memory during my time at CALS was being a part of Wildcats for the Community. During my time at this club, we did food drives, gathered gifts for foster kids, did fundraisers, and the one that made a biggest impact was delivering care packages to homeless individuals in Yuma.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I have been a part of Wildcats for the Community where we worked through several projects to give a lending hand to those in need. I am beyond blessed to be graduating loan free all thanks to the many scholarships that I received, several coming from CALS. As my journey at the UA is about to end, my hard work has led me to be granted the Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. I feel honored to be receiving this award!

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

My biggest piece of advice for incoming students is to enjoy your time at the UA. Don't burn yourself out you'll regret it and it will hurt you in the long run. There's absolutely nothing wrong in being an overachiever but know your limits and try to take life day by day. My goal during the time at the UA was to finish in two years after I transferred from my community college. There I was taking up to seven courses a semester, winter classes, and summer courses to finish quickly. During my last semester all the stress that built up led me to anxiety and mental health issues. Believe me when I say you don't want to burn out, this is a once in a life time experience that you really want to enjoy. Get yourself out there and try new educational opportunities even if it means getting out of your comfort zone. Once it's done you'll be thanking yourself for having done something different. Never feel that you are alone. Talk to your professor, advisor, or even fellow classmates. You'll find at least one with the same struggles as you. Reach for help when you need it and be gentle with yourself—we are only human and we're learning day by day. Good luck incoming students and Bear down!

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Arizona. Having traveled a fair amount, I can confidently say AZ is still my favorite place. I grew up surrounded by animals, and I always knew I wanted a career focused on helping them. When I first learned of the wildlife emphasis major in the School of Natural resources, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I've learned so much in this program, and I'm so thankful for the career options it's opened up for me. I'm looking forward to a life full of research, and I hope I'll be able to make a positive influence on our environment.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I have recently been hired by Western EcoSystems Technology as the crew leader on an acoustic bat monitoring project. Eventually, I will apply for graduate school with the hope of one day receiving a doctorate.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

The best part of my major program are the field trips offered in our classes. One of the best field trip experiences was during our mammalogy class, where we mist-net bats. I had never done anything like that before, and it influenced me to pursue a career working with bats.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

I have worked in the Archer lab as a crew leader for the last three years, and it has easily been the most influential part of my time at UA. In this position I have gained leadership skills, extensive field knowledge, and the opportunity to work with an amazing team. My supervisor Dr. Adam Naito has been the best mentor, and I can't express enough gratitude for his unending support and guidance.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I have been the officer of several clubs on campus, including secretary of the Fish and Wildlife Society, treasurer of MANRRS, treasurer of the 4H club, and secretary of the Wildlife Disease Association. I also served as parliamentarian for ASUA. I have won the School of Natural Resources Leadership Award, as well as been on the Dean's List all four years.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I am currently working on my undergraduate Honors Thesis. I am seeking the categorize the diel activity patterns of the global herpetofauna population, as a function of biogeographic location. I also spent last summer in the kingdom of Eswatini, conducting an independent research project as part of an IRES program. There, I studied the effects of landscape heterogeneity on the insect pollinator community.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

The UA, and specifically CALS, offers so many opportunities for their students to have amazing experiences. Four years goes by very quickly, so make sure to take advantage of all the things offered to you as a CALS student. Apply for the scholarships, volunteer in a lab, do an independent research project. Once you graduate, it'll be much harder to find such an extensive array of people who just want to give you every chance possible. There is so much to do as a student here, so don't miss out!

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I am a native Tucsonan that enjoys being active with hiking in the Catalina mountain range. I graduated high school very uncertain about my educational path, and got by for a few years taking a few general classes from a community college. When I began the application process to the UA I was still uncertain so I scrolled through the many majors offered at the university to see if something appealed to my interest in the environment. When I discovered the degree Environmental and Water Resource Economics I was very intrigued by the description of the major. Every class I have taken has increased my enjoyment for my course of study and the fact that it is hard to articulate to other people what exactly I study gives me pleasure trying to explain.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I plan on continuing my graduate education with the AREC department pursuing a masters in data analysis.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory from my time with CALS was the two etiquette dinners I attended to network with professionals in similar areas of study.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

The experience in AREC 403 data analysis class has significantly impact my career direction because I learned that I was very interested in data and that it was something I was naturally gifted at.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I am currently a member of the AREC club.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I participated in an undergraduate research opportunity with the RNR department.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

My words of wisdom for any incoming students are you will never get the full experience of the education by just going to class. The purpose of education is not just the lectures you are mandated to endure during your time here but the connections with students and faculty you should strive to make while pursuing your degree. That is the purpose of attending a University because it is not totally about what you know, it is also about who you know and how you know them.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona where I studied veterinary and equine science at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center-Paradise Valley. I became passionate for all things agriculture and dedicated much of my time to serving in the National FFA Organization. I decided to pursue agricultural education after discovering my passion for teaching freshmen as our chapter's FFA president. My family means the world to me and I thank God every day that I have been blessed with more family than I ever thought possible.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I will be teaching agricultural physics and engineering at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory is spending the mornings with my cohort traversing across campus during CASE assignments while trying not to look bizarre.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

Traveling across the country getting to interview with major companies in Washington for the regional MANRRS conference.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Ambassador, MANRRS member, American FFA Degree Recipient

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

Monsanto Corn Seed Project, researching hydroponically grown corn and pollination practices

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

"Yesterday is rarely too early but tomorrow is often too late" -Richard A Clarke Don't ever forget where your roots lie but branch out into something beautiful.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am from the Western suburbs of Chicago and was recruited to be a student-athlete here as a member of Arizona's Swimming and Diving Program. I was in between career goals during my senior year of high school and wasn't sure what I wanted to study. Luckily for me I came across Arizona's Veterinary Science major and instantly knew that I wanted to give it a shot. The rest is history!

What are your plans after you graduate?

I will be attending The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine to earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

Meeting one of my closest friends, Dani Souder, in Dr. Garcia's Introduction to Animal Science Course. We have stayed friends through all of undergrad and both achieved our goals of being admitted into veterinary school. I will be forever grateful that she started a conversation with me first semester of freshman year!

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

Having Dr. King as my professor and mentor. Words cannot describe the impact Dr. King's leadership has had on my academics, athletics, and professional goals.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

PAC-12 Leadership Award, Children Cancer Network's John Luttrell Scholarship, Chicago Alumni Association's Windy City Cats Scholarship, Student-Athlete of the Month. I was also the President of Arizona's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Arizona's Student-Athlete Representative at the PAC-12's Spring Council Meetings, A member of The Big 8 meetings run by ASUA President Natalynn Masters, as well as a member of Athletic Director Dave Heeke's Intercollegiate Athletic Council (ICAC).

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

Get involved. Opportunities rarely come to those who sit around and wait. Every internship, award, leadership position, scholarship, study group, preceptorship or friend that I have had since coming to Arizona came from stepping outside of my comfort zone and not being afraid to fail.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

Being from Tucson, I knew I wanted to go to UA all along. Going into freshman year, I did not know what I wanted to do or major in. I found Family Studies and Human Development through the Meet Your Major Fair. At this event, I was greeted by a FSHD ambassador who told me her experience in the major and I was instantly drawn to it. I knew I wanted to work with children and families after graduation so I knew this was the right fit.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I plan to look into graduate school programs.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memories include Admitted Students Day and other events as an ambassador.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I am a Family Studies and Human Development ambassador as well as a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassador. I was also a PATH (Partnerships through Honors) mentor.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I participated in research with Dr. Ottusch and Dr. Speirs on food and housing insecurity on college campuses. In addition, I am involved in undergraduate research with Dr. Alt in the L4 Lab in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences department. I am also working on a research project for my honors thesis.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

You will get out what you put into college so take every opportunity and be as involved as you can!

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm from Livermore, CA and grew up surrounded by hills, vineyards, and farmland. I came to the UA undecided, but once I found out about the Equine Science program in CALS, I knew I found the perfect major for me since I have always loved horses. I have also completed both a Business Administration minor to develop my business skills and a Spanish minor to hone in on my Spanish speaking since both of my parents were born and raised in Argentina. Having family in a foreign country made for a lot of traveling as a kid and developed into an exciting passion. Regardless of what career path I take in life, I hope that I am able to continue to explore new parts of the world!

What are your plans after you graduate?

I am going to take a gap year to explore various career options and master’s programs to find the right match for me and what I would like to do in my future!

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

Being a part of the Equine Science Major has given me incredible opportunities to take classes on the campus farm with the horses there. My favorite memory by far was in my Training and Management of Weanlings course with being able to train my assigned weanling, a little quarter horse named B.B., during the semester and help her grow up to become a well-mannered and adorable yearling. That experience was one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

Joining the Dean's Leadership 50 my junior year was one of the most impactful decisions I made during college. Not only did I greatly expand my professional skills to prepare me for my future in the workforce, but I also met so many incredible people through the organization that I hope to maintain strong connections with even after graduation.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

Along with the DL50, I've been a part of Wildcats C.A.R.E., a club focused on community service at local animal shelters and rescues, since freshman year. I then joined the university's equestrian team in my sophomore year and showed at multiple shows in Arizona and California through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. This year I held two leadership positions on the team by serving as a co-captain for the Hunt Seat team and the team's treasurer.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I had a chance to participate in a research opportunity through working on my undergraduate Honors Thesis: "Sand Concentration of Fecal Matter in Horses from Different Housing Backgrounds". I worked alongside my advisor, Dr. Betsy Greene, and learned how to design my own experiment and scientifically write an abstract and thesis. I also had the opportunity to present a poster on my research at the ALVSCE Poster Forum at the U of A and will be presenting it once more in June at the Annual American Society of Animal Science Western Section meeting in an undergraduate competition.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

I think it's really important to take a chance a join different clubs and organizations to broaden one's experiences in college, but I think it's even more important not to rush into too many things. After being a part of so many extracurriculars in high school, I decided to take a break from any extra clubs my first semester of freshman year to simply enjoy my new life at the university, and I don't regret that decision one bit because it gave me more time to get into the swing of things with college level classes and living on my own. By second semester I joined my first club and kept joining different organizations since then and have found myself in a perfect balance of classes, extracurriculars, and a social life! Ultimately, take everything at your own pace and don't feel rushed to do everything during your freshman year.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am originally from Northern California where I grew up on my family's commercial cow-calf operation. This is where my passion and love for the agriculture industry was born; and why I chose to study Agribusiness Economics and Management in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona. I always knew that I wanted to work on the business side of the agriculture industry and after taking some of my AREC courses I quickly realized I wanted to work in finance.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation I will be starting a full-time position at American AgCredit in California. This is the same company that I worked as an intern at last summer.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory from my time in CALS was serving as an ambassador and having the opportunity to meet potential students and their parents. This was my favorite memory because it allowed me to share my love and appreciation of CALS.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I served as an ambassador for CALS for three years and joined the Sigma Alpha sorority my freshman year. While in Sigma Alpha, I held various leadership positions including: Scholarship Chair, Sisterhood Chair and President. I also was a member of Young Farmers and Ranchers, served on the executive board for the Agribusiness Economics club, and received several CALS sponsored scholarships for my leadership involvement.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

My junior year I was fortunate enough to work as a research assistant with Dr. Dan Scheitrum in the AREC department. During this research assistantship I aided in his research on the copper commodity futures market and production.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

My greatest advice to an incoming student would be to get involved! When I first started college, someone told me “you get out of college what you put in” and that is something I kept with me all four years of college. By getting involved you will open so many doors for yourself and meet so many friends who have similar interests as you!

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am from Tucson, Arizona and absolutely love the Sonoran Desert! In addition to school, I enjoy reading and creative writing. I try to be actively involved in politics and social justice movements that promote equality and highlight the voices of traditionally marginalized communities. As an environmental scientist and advocate, I believe the broader dialogue surrounding environmental issues should be contextualized by the historical implications of colonialism and other inherently unequal institutions: on both a global and local level, people of color and lower socioeconomic status disproportionately suffer from climate change, which is detrimental to their health, safety, and quality of life. I want to use my degree to address these environmental justice concerns.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation, I will work in Dr. Maier’s lab group and continue the research project about mine revegetation and nitrogen cycling I began during undergrad, as well as work on a large collaborative project examining rubber production from guayule, a plant native to the Southwest. I plan to apply for graduate school next year to continue studying soil science and agriculture in arid regions.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

In addition to my courses and everything I've learned through my major, I always enjoyed hanging out in the Forbes lobby in between or after classes. It's a great place to study or take a break, and allowed me to learn about anything interesting going on with the college.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

The research experience I was granted through SWES and Dr. Raina Maier's lab group has been invaluable. In addition to critical lab techniques, I also learned what it's like to work on long term research projects and with public-private cooperatives. I have also been given many opportunities to present my research and contribute to the broader scientific community.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I was awarded an Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Society for Microbiology last spring. The fellowship funded a personal research project that became my Honors Thesis and has given me the chance to present at ASM’s national conference in June. I have also been actively involved in Students for Sustainability and VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood (now renamed UA Planned Parenthood Generation Action), both of which are student organizations on campus. I learned a lot about community organizing and activism through these groups and am grateful I was given so many opportunities to volunteer and support issues I am passionate about.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I have been lucky enough to work in Dr. Raina Maier’s lab for the past three years on a mining reclamation project. The UA Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining works with active mining companies to develop indicators of soil health that can guide revegetation processes. Over the past year I have developed my own study examining nitrogen dynamics and fertility island effects of pioneer plant species. I love working in the lab – my lab group is a diverse group of wonderful people who taught and supported me greatly over my undergraduate career. I’ve also participated in UA-led study abroad programs to Namibia and Ecuador, both of which were amazing experiences I would highly recommend to those interested in conservation biology or who like adventure.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

Take time to take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Your own health and well-being are extremely important! Especially when things become busier and stressful, make sure that you’re still getting enough rest. Take time to do things you love and explore new interests and passions.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm from Tucson, Arizona and I've always wanted to be an engineer ever since I was little. I love how engineering gives you the opportunity to create amazing things. I chose biosystems engineering because I really resonate with the problems that biosystems engineers work to solve, feeding the world, improving renewable energy, clean water access, etc.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I will be pursuing another engineering major, Systems Engineering.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory was working on a water project for the Biosystems Engineering Club where I was able to gain shop experience.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I am a member of the women's water polo team, I also participated in the Biosystems Engineering Club

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

Start getting involved in clubs or research as soon as possible, the experience you get and the connections you make are invaluable.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm from Yuma, Arizona. I chose this major because I am passionate about sustainability and I love plants. I know that agriculture contributes the most to climate change, so learning about sustainable agriculture will give me the tools I needed to create the most impact in my career.

What are your plans after you graduate?

Graduate school in Landscape Architecture

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

Participating in semester retreats with DL50

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

Participating in the Plant Science club as president

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

Plant Science Club, Students for Sustainability, CALS Dean's Leadership 50, Arizona Vegetable Growers Association/M.O. Best Student Support Endowment Fund Award

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

Yes, I am a Biological Research Aid Assistant at the Tucson Aspergillus Lab where I aid in performing research for a grad student's thesis and utilize a variety of microbiological research techniques to gather data on Aspergillus fungus. I also studied abroad for a semester in Vienna, Austria where I learned about sustainability and sustainable agriculture.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

Trust the process. Don't get hung up on the title of your major. You'll get where you need to go.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am originally from Mexico, and I moved up to Tucson 4 years ago. I always knew I wanted to help people, but I wasn't sure how I was going to accomplish that. After coming to the UA, I found nutrition. This major gave me the opportunity to incorporate my passion for food and for helping people.

What are your plans after you graduate?

Join the workforce in the food industry.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

We had a yield event at the Forbes lobby for Admitted Student Day last year as an ambassador event. It was amazing to connect with prospective students that had committed, and to try to convince the students that had not committed that they would find their home here at CALS.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

My experience as a CALS Ambassador was the program that had the most impact on my professional and personal life.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I was awarded with Highest Academic Distinction for 2017-2018, and I was a CALS ambassador for 3 years.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I had an independent-study product development project with Dr. Sparks in the food lab

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

Find what you are passionate about because that will be the drive to help you through these years of college. Get involved and meet new people—networking is a powerful tool! Remember to have fun and enjoy your experience, it will be over before you know it.

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Please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm from south Texas, and I came to the UA because I'm a national scholar and was offered a full tuition scholarship. Without this generosity, I would have been unable to pursue higher education. Now, it is my goal to use this opportunity to "pay it forward" and increase educational access. I want to use the educational opportunities afforded to me to enhance and broaden participation in higher education, especially in regard to STEM.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation, I will be moving to Missouri to pursue a PhD in Plant and Microbial Biosciences with Washington University in St. Louis.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time with CALS?

My favorite memory is meeting with Dr. Quist for the first time. She was the faculty member who introduced me to CALS, and her attitude and humor set the tone for the rest of my time with the college.

Did you have an experience with CALS that made a big impact on your career or personal life?

In my Junior year, Nancy Rodriguez-Lorta gave me the opportunity to begin working as CALS PALS student coordinator. Working in this capacity has given me valuable interpersonal relationship building, networking, and communication skills that I know will serve me well.

Have you won any awards, been in any clubs, or partaken in any leadership groups?

I have been a CALS PALS peer mentor for two years.

Did you participate in any undergraduate research opportunities or study abroad?

I have participated in a number of research opportunities. For my Literacy, Learning, and Leadership major, I have engaged in research on cognition and memory under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Tullis and research on open educational resources for my honors thesis with Dr. Renée Clift. Within Plant Sciences, I have taken part in a REU at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center focusing on intracellular signaling and nutrient status determination with Dr. Zoee Perrine and Dr. James Umen. Further, I have completed my honors thesis on the recruitment of soil-borne microbes to a Sonoran native species with Dr. A. Elizabeth Arnold.

Is there anything you would like to share with the next incoming class of students?

Get involved! Clubs, internships, and REUs are a great way to explore what you love (or don't love!) about your future career options. Seek new opportunities and training whenever possible.

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